Published
quarterly by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries to inform
and educate its constituents on matters relating to the conservation
and sustainable use of the Commonwealth's marine resources.
Volume
15 Fourth Quarter October - December 1995
DMF
Shellfish Program and Local Aquaculture Firm Collaborate on Massive
Stocking Experiment
A bay scallop restoration experiment is underway. This project, funded
by the federal Fishing Industry Grants (FIG) Program and the responsibility
of Taylor Seafood, Inc. of Fairhaven, is being assisted by DMF's Shellfish
Program and DMF's Martha's Vineyard Lobster Hatchery and by municipal
shellfish constables.
The project was approved last February and is officially titled,
"Massive seeding to effect a bay scallop fishery restoration in
selected embayments." The goal is to restore local bay scallop fisheries
through a seeding of up to 30 million "large" (30 mm) scallops in
coastal embayments. Three objectives are: (1) to determine if this
stocking effort will restore fisheries in the embayments on a "put
and take" basis, (2) to determine if enough scallops survive and
reproduce to restore self-sustaining bay scallop fisheries, and
(3) to observe biological and environmental factors possiontbly
cributing to the fisheries' declines.
Bay scallop fisheries have been important since colonial times when
settlers picked them by hand at low tide. Once a mainstay of the
Commonwealth's shellfishery in southeastern Massachusetts, the fisheries
have declined for the last 10 years. Similar declines occurred in
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
During the 1970s and early 1980s reported Massachusetts scallop
landings hovered around 200,000 bushels per year. From 1985 through
1994 landings dropped to a 1993 low of 41,500 bushels (See Landings
Figure on page 2).
Today, 200,000 bushels would be worth about $13.9 million to fishermen
at first wholesale. At an average retail price of $12 per pound,
200,000 bushels would exceed 16.8 million retail value and greatly
contribute to local economies. Furthermore, the fisheries can provide
valuable wintertime employment for shellfishermen when seasonal
demand for other species wanes and provide employment for shuckers,
who remove meats from the shell, and other related waterfront businesses.
Uniquely qualified to produce large quantities of bay scallop seed,
Taylor Seafood, Inc. completed two production phases this year.
First, from February through May they acclimated and spawned bay
scallops in heated water at rented space at the Woods Hole Marine
Biological Laboratory. Larval scallops were then transferred to
DMF's Lobster Hatchery and placed in growout tanks. There they were
fed a special diet of algae until they reached metamorphosis ("setting")
when scallops complete the free-swimming period and develop the
ability to attach themselves to objects by byssal threads secreted
from a foot gland. At this stage they are less than 1 millimeter
across. Secondly, scallops were spawned in June and July in the
Lobster Hatchery at ambient water temperatures. Larvae were "grownout"
in the same way as the MBL-produced scallops.
Over the summer Taylor Seafood, Inc. personnel transferred 5 millimeter
scallop seed from the Hatchery to the Taylor Seafarm in Fairhaven.
Held in a system of suspended nets, scallops were grown to a size
suitable for planting at three sites chosen by DMF shellfish biologists,
local shellfish constables, and Taylor after a careful review of
16 sites based on the following criteria: (1) history of scallop
productivity, (2) habitat to enhance scallop growth and survival,
(3) few indigenous scallops, (4) relatively few predators such as
starfish and crabs, and (5) no heavy wave action and ice. An important
additional criteria was the willingness of the towns to close shellfishing
sites for one year and assist DMF monitoring of the sites after
planting.
The three sites chosen were Menemsha Pond in Chilmark and Gay Head,
Nasketucket Bay in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, and West Falmouth
Harbor in Falmouth. Planting began on September 20, and by late
October 8.7 million scallops were planted.
Scallops were taken from "pearl" nets at the Seafarm and emptied
into fish totes early in the day of planting by Taylor personnel.
Totes were brought to planting sites by a Taylor Seafood barge.
DMF biologists played an important role during each day's planting
of 40-70 totes with 0.4-1.6 million scallops. They sampled totes
to determine scallop size distribution; by hand, they broadcasted
scallops directly from the barge to locations within the planting
sites. Then they donned SCUBA gear and observed scallop condition
and distribution as they settled to the bottom; they noted location,
bottom type, amount of eelgrass, and presence and type of predators.
Dives were repeated at each planting location one, three, and about
seven days after planting to determine survival, predation, and
distribution. This monitoring at each site will continue throughout
this fall and winter.
Preliminary results, as expected, indicate better survival of larger
scallop seed than smaller seed. One explanation might be that plantings
in early November result in greater survival because water low temperatures
decrease predator activity. Assuming sufficient survival through
the winter, DMF biologists and divers plan to monitor development
of gonads, spawning, and setting success from May though October
1996.
This project will provide DMF with valuable information on planting
techniques, growth, survival, predation, spawning, and setting _
information to manage bay scallop fisheries and for the design of
improved, future restoration programs.
Text
& Photos by Michael Hickey.
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The
Bay Scallop
The
bay scallop is short-lived, spawns only once, and is found at the
northern extension of its range in Massachusetts _ three factors contributing
to large fluctuations in scallop abundance from year to year and place
to place. North of Cape Cod the scallop essentially is a stray although
large populations occasionally can be found in Cape Cod Bay. Pollution
and habitat destruction affect scallop abundance as well.
Scallops grow very rapidly and are able to spawn in their second
summer when they are 1-year old. The majority of scallops spawn
only once in their life; only 10-20% live to be 2-years old. Most
die at 20-22 months. Therefore, it's extremely important that all
scallops under 1-year be protected because they provide nearly all
of the spawn the following year. For this reason, Massachusetts
laws prohibit the taking of scallops less than 1-year old. Scallops
over 1-year have a well-defined growth ring on the shell, and this
is used to determine age. Additionally, it does no harm to harvest
scallops a year old. In fact, there would be economic loss if they
were not taken since nearly all die from natural causes before spawning
a second time.
In Massachusetts spawning generally occurs from mid-June through
mid-August depending on local environmental conditions such as water
temperatures. Possessing male and female sex organs, bay scallops
discharge eggs and sperm at different times thereby avoiding self-fertilization.
Most other bivalves (two-shelled mollusks) such as clams, oysters,
and mussels have separate sexes. Eggs are fertilized externally,
and there are 10-12 days before metamorphosis to a tiny scallop
that attaches to eelgrass, algae, rocks, shell, or some other solid
object.
The bay scallop is unique, possessing many eyes (up to 50) closely
resembling those of higher vertebrates. It is the only swimming
bivalve, jetting in a backwards direction by rapid opening and closing
of its shells. This technique works well to escape predators.
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As recently as three years ago, the sight of someone on a Cape Cod
beach false casting with a stripping basket on their waist would
have been extremely unusual. Today, this scene has become commonplace
as the popularity of saltwater flyfishing in Massachusetts increases.
It is remarkable that this has happened in such a short span of
time.
Flyfishing along the Atlantic coast is certainly not new. The sport
appeared as early as 1849, and there are some turn of the century
accounts of flyfishing for striped bass in Massachusetts. During
the 20th century, however, the focal point of saltwater flyrodding
became the Florida Keys and neighboring Caribbean locations while
in the Northeast the pastime was the domain of a small core of diehards.
The spinning tackle revolution following World War II helped to
keep flyrods in the closet.
In Massachusetts, renewed interest in saltwater flyfishing bloomed
on Martha's Vineyard where bluefish, bonito, and false albacore
provided plenty of action during the 1980's. The spread of the sport
to the mainland has coincided perfectly with the recovery of striper
populations and has grown to the point where today there are two
Orvis Company franchises and at least three independent retailers
in southeastern Massachusetts alone who specialize in flyfishing.
Many shops that carry a more eclectic tackle line have dramatically
increased the amount of floor space devoted to saltwater flyfishing.
Another example of this rapid growth is the Martha's Vineyard Striped
Bass Flyfishing Tournament. When this competition was first held
in 1992, only 50 anglers entered. Interest has increased each year,
and in 1995, 311 fishermen participated in the one-day contest.
Several explanations for the rapid growth of saltwater flyfishing
have been advanced. One idea is that the movie, A River Runs Through
It, stimulated a great deal of interest in flyfishing in general.
However, while the movie may have played a role, such a reaction
to the movie would have been nationwide and would have focused on
trout fishing. The only dramatic sales increases in the flyfishing
industry over the last few years have been in the Northeast and
primarily in saltwater tackle.
The resurgence of striped bass populations has certainly played
a major part in the sport's growth. The availability of small stripers
to shore-based fishermen fueled the enthusiasm of these anglers,
and when increased size limits mandated the release of most of these
fish, the stage was set for a more challenging and rewarding fishing
technique.
Flyfishing makes the most of a catch-and-release situation where
the fish's only value is the enjoyment to be gained from hooking
and playing it successfully. Doing this on fly tackle enhances the
experience because the higher degree of skill required provides
greater satisfaction. Fly tackle allows more of a "direct connection"
with the fish than does conventional gear. The fish is often played
from the hand rather than the reel, and the lack of stretch that
is characteristic of monofilament lines creates an appealing sensitivity
to the fish's actions.
Whatever their reason for taking up saltwater flyfishing, Massachusetts
saltwater flyfishermen certainly chose the right time and place
to make the switch.
by
Ken Reback, DMF's most avid flyfisherman and Anadromous Fisheries
Project Leader.
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One partial answer to the ongoing groundfish crisis is to transfer
fishing effort to alternative species. That's the mission of the Massachusetts
Governor's Seafood Task Force Ñ to promote alternative fisheries
by improving the market for non-traditional species: primarily mackerel,
skate, spiny dogfish - now called "Cape Shark", a more consumer friendly
name - and also sea herring and red hake.
The Governor's Seafood Task Force is laying the groundwork now for
its statewide marketing program-- Making a Splash!.
The campaign will kick off next Spring 1996 to coincide with the
arrival of mackerel and increasing availability of Cape Shark and
skates. It includes the following:
The Task Force is asking Massachusetts restaurants, supermarkets
and fish markets to carry and promote mackerel, Cape Shark and skate
for one year, when in season. Discussions with several major players
show that retail outlets are eager to help the fishing industry
and will sign onto the Making a Splash! Campaign but
they want to be assured of a high quality, consistent supply. The
Task Force will act as a referral service to hook up appropriate
suppliers with campaign partners and will be compiling a database
throughout the winter. (This interactive computer program will,
in fact, link producers with both domestic and export markets.)
The Task Force will create recipe brochures, point of purchase displays
and in-ice signs for retail partners. And, a public relations campaign
will create press coverage on the program and the targeted species.
The culinary program at Boston University will create an educational
program for restaurant and institutional volume feeder partners
involved in the Making a Splash! Campaign. Chef and
restaurateur Jasper White and former WGBH producer and restaurateur
Franco Romagnoli will be involved in creating videotapes to demonstrate
preparation and innovative presentations of mackerel, Cape Shark
and skate. Wait staff training and motivation is another part of
this program--a package of materials will help wait staff answer
consumer questions and help promote the new menu offerings. Specific
recipes will be highlighted to food service professionals in a series
of tastings involving Massachusetts fishermen and seafood purveyors.
Professional in-store demonstrators will be selected in an open
bidding process to conduct in-store cooking and sampling demonstrations
in select Making a Splash! partner supermarkets.
The Task Force will also contract for product development work to
expand the consumer appeal of products made from mackerel, red hake
and possibly herring. This work will complement related work being
done in the Northeast Region under S-K and Fishing Industry Grant
projects.
The Governor's Seafood Task Force is composed of private sector
leaders in the Commonwealth's fishing industry and government officials.
For more information contact Ken Coons, Chairman of the Task Force
(also Executive Director of the New England Fisheries Development
Association, Inc.) 617-443-9494 or Buell Hollister, Task Force Coordinator
at the Division of Marine Fisheries at 617-727-3193, ext. 334. Interested
media should call Lee Regan Larkin, Regan Larkin Communications
at 617-268-1380.
Industry
Input Sought at Regional Meetings
The Massachusetts Governor's Seafood Task Force is co-hosting a
series of meetings to review Making a Splash! Campaign
details, to seek industry input, and create a database of everyone
in the industry working in the area of underutilized species. A
primary goal is to link suppliers with supermarket chains, fish
markets and restaurants to ensure a high quality, consistent supply
during our 1996 Making a Splash! Campaign.
Gloucester
Co-host: Gloucester Fisheries Commission
Thursday, November 30, 1995 _ 3 to 4 p.m.
At the Chamber of Commerce, 33 Commercial Street, Gloucester
For more information: Vito Calomo, Executive Director, Gloucester
Fisheries Commission 508-281-9703; Lee Regan Larkin, Task Force
617-268-1380
New
Bedford
Co-host: New Bedford Seafood Coalition
Wednesday, December 6, 1995 _ 2 to 3 p.m.
At the Family Fishing Center, 46 Foster Street, New Bedford
For more information: Jim Kendall, Executive Director, New Bedford
Seafood Coalition 508-997-0013; Lee Regan Larkin, Governorás
Seafood Task Force 617-268-1380
Boston
Co-host: Massport
Date and locations TBD
For more information: Richard Henderson, Associate Director of
Port Planning & Development, Massport 617-973-4072; Lee Regan Larkin,
Task Force 617-268-1380
Cape
Cod
Co-Host : Cape Cod Economic Development Council
Date and locations TBD
For more information: Mike Collins, Fisheries Coordinator, Cape
Cod Economic Development Council 508-790-4980; Lee Regan Larkin,
Task Force 617-268-1380
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The results for 1994's lobster year are in and landings and value
are both up. Massachusetts lobstermen managed to pull a near record
year out of the 1994 fishing season, even while debate continued
about overfishing the resource.
Commercial lobster landings in the Commonwealth were 16,200,000
pounds in 1994, very close to 1990's record landings of 16,570,000
pounds. The greatest portion of these landings (10.5 million pounds)
were harvested from within the territorial waters of the Commonwealth
that include the embayments of Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod Bay and
Nantucket Sound. The remainder (5.7 million pounds) were harvested
from federal waters, generally beyond three miles from shore. One
million pounds of the federal waters lobster catch lobsters were
taken by trawlers and 4.7 million pounds were taken by lobster traps.
Lobster value - price paid to fishermen at the dock - increased
as well to $2.94 per pound. This estimate is gleaned from the annual
audit of a percentage (15%) of active lobstermen's catch reports
submitted at the beginning of the year. Lobstermen submit dealer
slips or logbooks of their daily catch to substantiate what is reported
on their catch reports. Thousands of lobster transactions are used
to generate a daily and annual average price for lobster landed
in the Commonwealth.
This high price is good news for lobstermen considering that some
recent years prices have dipped well below the $2.50 mark. Using
this price and total landings for 1994, lobster landings were worth
$47.5 million dollars to Massachusetts lobstermen.
In spite of strong landings and a good price at the dock, 1994 was
a turbulent year for lobster fishery management. State and Federal
fisheries scientists remain concerned about how long lobster landings
can remain strong with bigger boats dropping more and more traps
in the ocean and pursuing the resource further out to sea each year.
Federal officials initiated an updated lobster fishery management
plan on January 01, 1994 that called for cooperative fishing effort
reductions from all lobstermen from Maine to North Carolina. Six
regional Effort Management Teams (EMTs) were created by scientists
and the industry to draft regional plans to scale back fishing effort.
The year and a half long process has been both productive and frustrating
for all of those involved, and the final outcome is still uncertain.
Massachusetts lobstermen and Division scientists continue to wait
and support the planning process and the important management changes
that may result. Safeguarding our lobster resource while it is still
healthy only makes sense for the Commonwealth.
The Division's Statistics Project produces an annual publication
of statistics generated from lobstermen's catch reports. The 1994
Massachusetts Lobster Fishery Statistics is available by writing
the Division at 92 Fort Ave. Salem, MA 01970.
by
David McCarron, Fisheries Economist
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DMF
biologists Bruce Estrella and Steve Cadrin recently published a
study of female lobster fecundity (female egg production rates)
in three regions along the Massachusetts coast. The results are
used by state and federal lobster biologists who calculate benefits
of regulation changes to increase egg production. The study appeared
in ICES Marine Science Symposium Series (volume 199, pp. 61-72)
entitled "Fecundity of American lobster (Homarus americanus)
in Massachusetts coastal waters".
DMF biologist Steve Cadrin cited for Outstanding Performance.
Steve Cadrin of the Division's Resource Assessment Project was among
three Department staff awarded the "Pride in Performance" award
for 1995. Steve worked as a DMF biologist for seven years and served
on the Coastal Lobster Investigations project prior to his current
assignment. His recent accomplishments include a study of the effect
of trawling area closures on fish abundance, and a Master's of Science
thesis describing lobster stock discrimination. He also serves as
DMF's representative on the interstate (ASMFC) Atlantic Menhaden
Advisory Committee. His work and articles have been featured in
past issues of DMF News. Congratulations, Steve.
Shellfish Program's Karl W. VonHone has been appointed Director
of Natural Resources for the Town of Yarmouth. Karl has been
a Fisheries Supervisor on the shellfish project working out of the
Sandwich field office since June 1992. As director of the Yarmouth
Department of Natural Resources, Karl will be in charge of town
programs involving shellfish, hunting, wildlife and animal control
as well as harbor master and waterways (dredging , docks) activities.
We wish Karl good luck and look forward to a continuing mutually
beneficial association.
Seafood supplier directory will be updated. DMF's licensing
staff is now updating the "MASSACHUSETTS SEAFOOD SUPPLIER DIRECTORY".
Each year, DMF receives hundreds of calls for referrals for specific
seafood products produced - or sold by -Massachusetts dealers from
all over the United States and Canada. In an effort to direct these
inquiries to appropriate businesses we have mailed all wholesale
and retail dealers a questionnaire. The information obtained will
be used to create a directory that will be made available to the
public. Completing and returning the questionnaire is strictly voluntary.
If you are a dealer interested in participating, kindly complete
the questionaire. If you have any questions or comments, please
feel free to call Laurie McLaughlin or Jeanne Haggerty at (617)
727-3193.
Paul
Diodati has been appointed supervisor all DMF's recreational fisheries
programs. Paul has served the Commonwealth for over 17 years
as a senior fisheries biologist. He is well known for his outstanding
work with striped bass and northern shrimp, two fisheries management
success stories. Paul will oversee seven regional biologists, the
anadromous fisheries program, and the contract for recreational
fishery surveys.
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DMF
NEWS
EDITORS:Dan McKiernan, David Pierce
GRAPHICS:David Gabriel
DMF receives state and federal funds to conduct research, management
and development of the Commonwealth's marine fishery resources.
Information in this publication in alternative formats is available.
Philip
G. Coates, Director, DMF
John C. Phillips, Comm'nr DFWELE
Trudy Coxe, Secretary, EOEA
William F. Weld, Governor
Comments and suggestions for the newsletter are welcome. Please
contact the Editors at (617) 727-3193, or write to DMF, 100 Cambridge
St., Boston, MA 02202.
Publication #17020-12-7000-11/95-$2030
Rules
UPDATE
Public Hearings - Regulations - Legislation Volume
5 Number 4
Inside
Rules Update...
Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Commission
Scheduled for November 14, 16 and 20
Under the provisions of G.L. c. 30A and pursuant to the authority
found in G.L. c.130, s. 2, 17A, 80, and 104, the Marine Fisheries
Commission has scheduled hearings at the times, dates, and locations
of the following:
(1)
Revisions to summer flounder quota management regulations:
In response to the Massachusetts summer flounder 1996 commercial
fishery quota of about 758,000 lbs., down from about 984,000 lbs.
in 1995, DMF proposes to revise summer flounder regulations to prevent
quota overages and extend the commercial fishing season.
Options include - but are not limited to changes in seasonal allocations,
landing/possession limits, and establishment of no-fishing days
or periods;
DMF also seeks comments on an option to limit participation in the
winter-time fishery to only those vessels with a record of substantial
fluke winter landings prior to 1993.
(2)
Sea Urchin control date for sea urchin divers:
DMF seeks comments on a recently approved control date of 9/11/95
for possible future use in limiting entry into the urchin fishery
for fishermen hand-harvesting urchins by diving.
(3)
Lobster permit transfer regulations:
DMF proposals to amend 322 CMR 7.03 regarding the transfer of lobster
permits:
A) Prohibit Commercial Coastal Lobster Permit Holders to acquire
additional Coastal Lobster permits through a transfer pursuant 322
CMR 7.03.
B) For permit holders seeking to transfer their permit, allow the
granting of waivers on performance criteria only to those fishermen
who have actively fished their permits during four of the five preceding
years.
C) Amend the requirement that permit holders be owner/operators
to exempt the following: recipients of a posthumous transfer, those
in active military service, immediate family members, and for two
years those granted permission from DMF to fish another fisherman's
permit if that fisherman is disabled.
D) For immediate family members receiving a coastal lobster permit
through a posthumous transfer, waive the commercial fishing experience
requirements.
E) Regarding all permit transfers, amend the regulation that requires
sale of lobster related business assets to allow sale
or transfer of such assets.
(4)
Emergency Action to amend the fall gillnet time/area closure:
DMF will accept comments on a recent emergency action that amended
322 CMR 4.08 to expand the November sink gillnet closure north of
Cape Ann consistent with recent federal action. Closure will be
extended for November through December and include all state waters
north of Marblehead (latitude 42 degress 30 minutes). See descrption
in Regulatory Update.
Draft regulations are available upon request from DMF.
Three hearings have been scheduled:
Tuesday, November 14, 1995 at 7:00 PM at the Sawyer Free Library,
Friend Room, Gloucester, MA; Thursday, November 16 at 7:00 PM at
the Mass Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA;
and
Monday, November 20 at 4:00 PM at the Martha's Vineyard Commission
Bldg., New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs, MA.
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Northern Shrimp Section
Under the auspices of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission,
the Northern Shrimp public hearing has been scheduled to discuss
the 1995-96 northern shrimp season. The hearing will be held cooperatively
by the following:
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and the Massachusetts
Marine Fisheries Commission; New Hampshire Fish & Game Dept. and
Fish & Game Commission; and Maine Dept. of Marine Resources. The
ASMFC Shrimp Technical Committee will present information on the
status of the stock, and proposals to continue gear restrictions
such as finfish excluder devices, trawl specifications, and mesh
sizes. Public comments will be accepted during the public hearings
and immediately following the hearing, the Northern Shrimp Section
of the ASMFC will decide on the regulations for the 1995-96 season.
One hearing is scheduled:
November 14, 1995 at 10:00 AM at the Naval Reserve Center, 350 Commercial
Street, Portland, Maine.
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No
public hearings were held during August. Only two regulations were
changed and these were accomplished by emergency action.
Annual
October spawning closure for sea herring enacted nine days early.
DMF biologists in cooperation with Maine biologists determined sea
herring spawning was occurring in late September so the annual three
week closure, Oct. 1 - 21, was shifted back to Sept. 22 - Oct. 12
for this season. Vessels are allowed a by-catch of sea herring of
1,000 lbs. or up to 5% of the weight of a trip, whichever is greater.
Gillnet closure north of Cape Ann, designed last year to prevent
incidental takes of harbor porpoise, was broadened to include waters
north and south of Cape Ann (extending from Marblehead to N.H border)
Also the closure was extended an additional month through December.
This action complements the federal action taken by the New England
Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service.
The closures were designed to coincide with harbor porpoise migrations.
State waters south of Marblehead in Mass. Bay and Cape Cod Bay are
scheduled to be closed during March again this winter but this area
closure may be changed based on ongoing analyses of gillnet fishery
sea sampling data depicting harbor porpoise by-catch. Comments on
this action will be accepted at the three November public hearings.
Contact
DMF's Boston office for details on these regulations at (617) 727-3193.
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FY
'96 Budget passed in June
On June 21, 1995, Governor Weld signed the FY '96 budget. Sections
of interest include: $75,000 earmarked in the education budget for
an artificial reef program with Umass Dartmouth; DMF to conduct
a study of the Newburyport shellfish purification plant; and, an
amendment to the personal floatation device (PFD) law to comply
with new federal regulations which require Type IV PFDs to be used
only as throw-able devices and not in lieu of wearable PFDs.
Legislators
working to reach compromise on lobster bill
Chairs Barbara Gray (Framingham) and Bob Durand (Marlborough) along
with Representatives John Quinn (Dartmouth), Bill Straus (Mattapoisett)
and DMF Director Philip Coates are currently working with members
of the lobster pot fishery and dragging fishery to reach a compromise
on the lobster dragging bill which would regulate draggers landing
lobsters in Massachusetts, which were caught legally in federal
waters.
Legislators
brave the elements and assist DMF biologists at sea
Four members of the Natural Resources Committee joined DMF biologists
for their annual fall survey aboard the NOAA research trawler, Gloria
Michelle. Chairwoman Barbara Gray, Representative John Quinn, Representative
George Peterson (Grafton) and Senator Robert Antonioni (Leominster)
assisted biologists in counting, weighing, measuring and obtaining
scale samples from fish caught throughout state waters. DMF will
continue to invite legislators to participate in the semi-annual
surveys to give them a first-hand look at the health of the Commonwealth's
fish and shellfish resources.
Successful
State House Day
Over sixty legislators attended the DFWELE's "State House Day" held
on October 17, 1995. DMF sponsored displays on current programs
and research. The event was designed to allow legislators and their
staff to learn about the varied programs within the entire Department.
Biologist Dan McKiernan, using actual fish, showed legislators some
of the more common marine species. The Governor's Seafood Task Force
sponsored a table of deliciously-prepared underutilized species
such as mackerel, squid and hake.
Limpet
Bill Gets "Flavorable" Report
House Bill 5423 an act which would regulate limpets (a.k.a. slipper
shells, quarterdecks) pursuant to state's shellfish laws, caused
quite a commotion. At the bill's hearing in October, Representative
Frank Hynes (Marshfield) suggested that the committee taste a plate
of limpets before reporting the bill out of Committee. The bill's
sponsor, Rep. Turkington (Falmouth), arranged for freshly shucked
limpets from the Martha's Vineyard to be delivered to the State
House, where he, Representative Gray, Representative Tony Verga
(Gloucester) and Representative Hynes dined on the delicacy. The
bill was reported out "flavorably" from the Committee.
Bond
Bills
As of this writing, both the House and Senate have passed their
versions of the Open Space Bond Bill and the Seaport Bond Bill.
Both bills contain funding for programs which would benefit the
commercial fishing industry. A legislative conference committee
for each bill will recommend a final joint version for both houses.
The legislature is scheduled to conclude the 1995 session on November
15, 1995.
Contact
Priscilla Geigis, DFWELE Deputy General Counsel, for details (617-727-1614,
ext. 388).
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UPDATE
is published quarterly to publicize regulatory matters affecting marine
fisheries.
Director: Philip G. Coates, DMF
Commissioner: John C. Phillips, DFWELE
Secretary: Trudy Coxe, EOEA - Governor: William F. Weld
Editor: Daniel J. McKiernan , DMF - Art Dir.: David G. Gabriel,
DFWELE
### 30 ###
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