October 2014 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 11. Commercial Fishing News


Fishermen’s Friend Restaurant, Stonington July 10, 2014


Downeast Lobstermen's Association Director's Meeting Minutes The


with Sec/Treasurer Mike Dassatt answering questions and explaining our status.


Attendance: President; Hilton Turner,


Sec/Treasurer; Mike Dassatt, Executive Director; Sheila Dassatt, Terry Savage, Sr., Bob Fortin, Ethan Turner, John Chipman, Sr., Gerry Chipman, John Chipman, Jr., Theresa Chipman, Zachary Floyd, Sarah Cotnoir, Rep. Walter Kumeiga


The meeting opened with President Hilton Turner presiding.


The Minutes were reviewed with Terry Savage making the motion to accept. The motion was seconded by John Chipman, Sr. The motion passed. The Treasurer’s Report was reviewed


motion to accept was made by Terry Savage with Bob Fortin seconding the motion. The motion passed.


Sheila Dassatt gave the Executive


Director’s report which included participation with the Penobscot River dredge project meetings and press conference in Bangor. We were asked to participate with the waterfront walk on the GAC shoreline, concerning chemical pollution run-off. There have been a lot of environmental concerns that has required a new awareness on the part of safety and health awareness. Our new DELA stickers are in with our logo and contact information on them. These are intended for our members to


CANADIAN FISHING NEWS


Minister Duncan and MP Lunney Launch Information Sessions on the Govern- ment’s Plan to Increase Opportunities for the Aquaculture Industry


September 9, 2014 - Nanaimo, British Columbia


The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, along with James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Alberni, held a roundtable on the proposed Aquaculture Activity Regula- tions with key stakeholders on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.


As announced by Minister Shea on August 22, 2014, the Government of Canada has pre-published the proposed Aquacul- ture Activities Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, to begin a 60-day public consultation. These proposed Regulations aim at increasing sustainable aquaculture production in Canada while protecting the environment. These Regulationswill in- crease the transparency and accountability of the industry. The proposed Aquaculture Activities


Regulations’ objective is to increase over- sight and ensure there are clear and con- sistent rules for aquaculture operators from coast to coast. The proposed Regulations add to the existing rules by imposing three new conditions. Firstly, operators would have to provide written reports of alterna- tives to pesticide and drug use that were con- sidered before using any of these regulated products. Secondly, operators would have to have mitigation measures in place to mini- mize potential negative impacts on wild fi sh species and their habitat. Thirdly, operators would have to report these activities to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on a yearly basis. The Department will then make the overall data publicly available annually. The Government of Canada is com- mitted to continue improving Canada’s already strong regulatory system – one of the most rigorous in the world – to ensure that the aquaculture industry is safe, healthy


and ensures the sustainable use of marine resources. Quick Facts


Canadians can provide comments on the proposed Aquaculture Activities Regulations until October 22, 2014, from the site: ConsultingWithCanadians.gc.ca. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ webpage Proposed Aquaculture Activities Regulations provides all the necessary back- ground information to do so. Offi cials from the Department of Fish- eries and Oceans will hold a series of techni- cal information sessions across the country with stakeholders of the aquaculture and fi sheries industries, First Nations and envi- ronmental non-governmental organizations to explain how these proposed Regulations will work and what would be required to comply.


Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been working with its regulatory partners to de- velop the proposed Regulations to ensure they build on existing provincial and federal regulatory regimes. When fi nalized, the proposed Regulations would resolve uncer- tainties in the application of various federal acts, eliminate overlap and duplication issues and refl ect the unique circumstances of aquaculture.


“Our Government is committed to creating conditions that will enable the aquaculture industry to be successful and to ensure that development takes place in a sustainable and environmentally responsi- ble manner. Aquaculture accounts for nearly 50 per cent of seafood consumed worldwide. With its tremendous set of natural advantag- es for aquaculture production, Canada has to position itself to tap into global demand, especially in the context of the expected signature of trade agreements with the Eu- ropean Union and the Republic of Korea.” - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip “These proposed Regulations are im-


Continued on Page 20. 2014 LOBSTER BOAT RACE CD


display on their windows, offi ce doors, boat, etc. This sticker works as a better emblem for our Associate members to display as members and supporters of DELA. We will ask for $1.00 donation with each sticker given out at the summer functions. Sarah Cotnoir gave her update on the


Lobster Advisory Board. Pete Daley is the new Eastern dealer representative; John Jordan is the Western dealer representative. The Eastern harvester representative is Genevieve Kurilec-McDonald; the Western harvester representative is Marshall Spear and the Public representative is Terry Savage, Jr. Bob Baines would like to step down as chair. Rep. Walter Kumeiga helped Sarah explain the new law proposal “An Act To Provide Guidance for the Development of Marine Fisheries Management Plans. This law is a guidance law which allows the Commissioner to establish management goals and a long-term vision for a relevant fi shery.


Swans Island would like to increase their trap limit by adding 50 more traps. Sonny Sprague would like to revise the vents again in the ghost gear to allow the larger lobsters the ability to escape. The MLPC will give an update of their Executive Director search. We also need more representatives from the zones.


Sarah handed out the current Whale Rule hand-out with a small map of the zones and the lines, such as the 3-mile line, 6 and 12-mile line. Why aren’t the islands included in the Whale proposal?


This


is continued work for the Sept. 30 fi nal amendment request. Bob Fortin told about his sink rope not letting go and could’ve capsized the boat if it was rough weather. John Chipman, Sr. stated how well the wardens worked with him when he broke his wrist. The warden boats are doing a good job. They are stealth and fast. Hilton also stated that we need another warden


JOHANSON BOATWORKS Full Service Yacht Yard


in Stonington. Wet storage is a continued problem.


John Sr. also asked if DMR is going


to put out larger and more charts that show the whale rule lines. Sarah will ask NMFS for more and also stated that Erin Somers is working on revised charts for distribution. Ethan suggested that they show the bottom more to know where to set our gear within compliance. Mike Dassatt asked what happens to the illegal lobsters after they are sold. The names are on the crates in order to keep track of them.


The next topic on the L.A.C. agenda is proposed drug testing. Replacement tags are not a total of 880. Please attend or talk to your zone representative about the status of these subjects as they are discussed at the LAC meeting. We discussed opening the DELA Scholarship Fund for letters from interested students to be reviewed at the Annual Meeting. We also asked Sheila to compose a statement in the Director’s meeting notice asking them if they would like to continue their seat on the DELA Board of Directors. This is with a Thank You and need for a voting quorum at future meetings. The Board voted to have the Annual Meeting on Thursday September 4th


at


Fishermen’s Friend in Stonington by popular vote and to enable the Commissioner’s schedule to attend.


Respectfully submitted, Sheila H. Dassatt, Executive Director


Rockland, Maine • 207-596-7060 info@jboatworks.com • jboatworks.com


About 1,800 photographs from all 2014 lobster boat races. $12.50, which includes postage.


To order: Maine Coastal News, P.O. Box 710, Winterport, ME, 04496 or call (207) 223-8846 and charge to your credit card.


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