Member’s Update 2008

MCA Calendar 2008/2009

November 10th – 6:30 p.m. Southern Maine Regional Member’s Meeting
45 McKeen Street (Old Brunswick High School), Brunswick

November 21st – 5:00 & Fundraiser Steamed Clam Supper
6:15 p.m. Masonic Lodge
Mallet Drive, Freeport
Price: Adults - $10, Children 12 & Under $5.00, Under 6 Free
Peck Plate - $20, To Go Orders Available
Advance Tickets Call 615-5640

December 1st – 6:00 p.m. Downeast Regional Member’s Meeting
University of Maine, Machias

December 4th – 6:00 p.m. Discussion between MCA and Waldoboro Shellfish Commission
on preliminary proposals for ways to address extensive closures in Medomak River
Town Hall, Waldoboro

March 5, 2009 – 1:00 p.m. Fisherman’s Forum Clam Day
Samoset Resort, Rockport

Shellfish Industry Update: MCA’s current work
This summer and fall have been busy for the MCA: The newly formed Shellfish Advisory Council (SHAC) was formed late in the spring and has been addressing some important issues. The MCA has participated in all the SHAC’s meetings, actively protecting the interests of the wild clammer. The following topics have been heavily discussed so far:
1.      Staffing and Funding DMR’s Water Quality Division
Growing Area Classification: The DMR has proposed to the SHAC a couple of alternatives for addressing the staffing needs of the Public Health Division as recommended by the Peer Review Team and required by LD 2038. Both proposals were very expensive and would have required steep fee increases, given that the General Fund is depleted and it will be almost impossible to secure funding from that source. The MCA is currently investigating some more reasonable alternatives to address the DMR’s needs while insulating its membership from excessive fee increases.

The MCA will support 1) Expanding the Volunteer Program to perform additional water sampling; 2) Cooperating with other agencies (such as DEP) to help DMR with shoreline surveys, volunteer training and coordinating and water sampling; 3) Allocating all revenues from shellfish licenses to the Shellfish Program (some of those funds currently go the General Fund). Some fee increases for commercial license holders are to be expected, but the MCA will work hard to keep those at a minimum.

Biotoxin Program: The MCA has requested that DMR provide information about the shortfall for this program in the coming year. The Biotoxin Program is currently funded until August of 2009. The MCA will make sure that additional funding is secured for the remainder of the 2009 year in order to continue to use the very successful “buoy system” that has allowed the DMR to implement very tailored closures, thus minimizing the impact of the red tide on the industry.

 2.      Pilot Project Selection
The DMR and the SHAC have invited municipalities to submit proposals for “special studies” to be conducted in partnership with certified private labs as required by LD 2038. Four full proposals were submitted: A proposal for accelerated sampling in Broad Cove, George’s River/Cushing; A second one for accelerated sampling in Damn Cove and King’s Point in Wet Bath; One for a rainfall study in the Cousins River, Freeport/Yarmouth and another for a rainfall study in the Nonesuch River, Scarborough. Only the Scarborough proposal was approved.
There will be another round of submissions before the year is out. Any interested municipalities should consider sending a proposal for review.
3.      Truck Law

Amy Fitzpatrick reported at the last SHAC meeting that Truck Law regulation changes should be completed this fall.
 
We wish to give special thanks to our faithful representatives Stan Gerzofsky and Wes Richardson who, together with the MCA, have been following the discussions and procedures of the SHAC and continue to actively defend the interests of the shellfish industry.

The MCA is committed to informing its membership of the latest issues that affect our harvesters’ livelihoods. Please feel free to contact us at (207) 615-5640 if you have any questions or concerns and we will do our best to respond to your needs.

We wish you a productive and healthy fall season.