Page 10. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2013 D.E.L.A. - FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR


From the Director – Spring is offi cially here even if Old


Man Winter doesn’t like to give up. This year has been much different than last year at this time. We had eighty degree days in March last year and an early molt of lobsters. Let’s hope that this year will be a little more traditional when it comes to the weather and our lobster catch. We learn from situations like last year and should be better prepared this year. We had a good turn out at the Maine


Fishermen’s Forum this year. This is always an opportunity for our D.E.L.A. booth to see old friends, members and sign new members into membership. We would like to welcome our new members: Donald McHenan of Stonington, Christopher Moore of Northeast Harbor, Ty Babb of Tenants Harbor, Robert Ray of Stonington and Ready Seafood (Brothers) of Portland. It is always a pleasure to have new members. The more members that we have, the stronger our voice is in the industry. Please feel free to contact us at any time with your opinions about the issues. You are also welcome to write down your feelings and send them along to us for


the Maine Coastal News. Perhaps I haven’t mentioned it lately what it means to belong to D.E.L.A. as a member and fi shing family. When a person joins D.E.L.A. they are fi rst, supporting the industry with a stronger voice. We offer a membership card, bumper stickers with our logo that can be placed on your vehicle or boat. You will be placed on our mailing list to have the Maine Coastal News sent to your home or business in the mail. We have combined with Jon Johansen and Maine Coastal News in place of our previous newsletter. The board of directors voted on this unanimously to help distribute our news with broader coverage and distribution. We are working on a price list to enable our Associate members an opportunity to advertise in the M.C.N. This will also help support the association. We have opportunities with our Associate member insurance companies that offer specials for your boat, home and auto insurance. There is also a health insurance that is offered at a discounted price through certain insurance companies that belong to D.E.L.A.


All that you need to do is contact us and ask for the information that you are checking into.


There are discounts that are also offered


through Associate members that are always willing to help fellow members. Before you run out and decide to join a new group that you feel is looking out for you, please take a long hard look at it. We take pride in the fact that D.E.L.A. is independent, traditional and have worked very hard to maintain our self-employed fi shing families.


My own family has been in the fi shing industry for generations with our next


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generation growing up and working with the family. This is our way of life here in Maine and I believe that we are proud of that fact. There is nothing more valuable than family and freedom of choice. We maintain this and will continue to speak for our fi shermen and their families.


When we were established in 1991, we were chartered for Washington County and then Hancock County. As time went on, we changed the statutes of membership to include the entire coast of Maine. Speaking with people at the Forum, a lot didn’t realize due to geographical reasons that they are welcome to join D.E.L.A. We have members in Massachusetts and even Washington State.


I realize that it has been a while since I told people our accomplishments as an association. We have seats on the Board of Directors of the Lobster Institute of the University of Maine, Orono; the RED Board (Research, Education & Development) or license plate fund, the Executive Board on the Maine Fishermen’s Forum, the Sub-Committee of the Lobster Advisory


ARLINGTON, VA – Atlantic coastal states from Maine through Georgia have sched- uled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Fish- ery Management Plan for American Eel. The dates, times, and locations of the scheduled meetings follow.


Maine Department of Marine Resources April 15, 2013; 9 AM – Noon Ellsworth City Hall Auditorium 1 City Hall Avenue Ellsworth, Maine Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553


April 15, 2013; 2 – 5 PM University of Maine – Machias Science Lecture Hall, Room 102 9 O’Brien Avenue Machias, Maine Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207.624.6553


April 19, 2013; 1 – 4 PM Yarmouth Log Cabin 196 Main Street Yarmouth, Maine Contact: Terry Stockwell at 207. 624.6553


New Hampshire Fish and Game April 15, 2013; 7 PM Urban Foresty Center 45 Elwyn Center


Portsmouth, New Hampshire Contact: Doug Grout at 603.868.1095


The Draft Addendum proposes a wide


Council, worked with the Sub-committee with the Maine Promotion Council, direct communications with the Department of Marine Resources and are involved with the Whale Rule when the subject arises. D.E.L.A. represents the fishermen and membership by speaking on their behalf at the Maine Legislature when various fi shing rules and hearings are on the schedule. The duties of an association such as this are vast and dedicated to the voice of the membership. We have D.E.L.A representatives on the Zone Councils. Members are welcome to contact us at any time if they have a concern. Our next meeting is scheduled for – 6:00 p.m. at Jasper’s


Thursday, April 11th


Restaurant in Ellsworth and all are welcome. If you can’t make it to Jasper’s, feel free to give us a call or contact us through e-mail or Face Book. We’ll look forward to hearing from you, Sheila Dassatt, Executive Director, Downeast Lobstermen’s Association - dassatt711@yahoo.com 207 338-1406 or 322-1924


States Schedule Hearings in American Eel


range of management options with the goal of reducing mortality and increasing the conservation of American eel stocks across all life stages. Specifi c management options focus on both the commercial (glass, yellow, and silver eel life stages) and recreational American eel fi sheries. The document also proposes increased monitoring by the states and recommendations to improve American eel habitat. Draft Addendum III responds to the findings of the 2012 benchmark stock assessment indicating the American eel population in U.S. waters is depleted. The stock has declined in recent decades and the prevalence of signifi cant downward trends in multiple surveys across the coast is cause for concern. Causes of decline are likely due to a combination of historical overfi shing, habitat loss, food web alterations, predation, turbine mortality, environmental changes, toxins and contaminants, and disease. Commercial regulations vary by state.


Glass eel fi sheries currently occur in Maine and South Carolina. Signifi cant yellow eel fi sheries occur in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, the Potomac River, Virginia, and North Carolina. Although commercial fi shery landings and effort in recent times have declined in most regions, current levels of fi shing effort may still be too high given the depleted nature of the stock. States and jurisdictions are required to annually report on commercial harvest and monitor juvenile


Continued on Page 20.


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