[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6194715,"mediaKeyId","3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02","parentId",3863428,"title","Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board approves reduced July/August meeting schedule","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",5880000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02&start=5880&end=5880","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02/thumbnail_5880000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6194715/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Harbor-Shellfish-Advisory-Board-approves-reduced-JulyAugust-meeting-schedule","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194715-8cca3418de4547d32c91841f2eca37d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141513&Signature=f4hiScCvWEt~B8YQKsNWkpVhqmXYa0O8lV4UKpa1x8k4QWZ0eQPJAgtmWg2ekwfwND6Sflx57vbiBpKzd-I6R6YH2sYqGngZMovCuioPdJHEyOYVKdWFqo18cNlMyVaP7~1on36RuUv-P~JkCwUPWyXSRktlaZyY7sn1Y~8mgQyMKMH8wP~CTBiQ1ny5a4K7xqqKkpAuIvhRTNTvWFMiakFdEQbsQtOsjAXy9L-oGPquGOhdKn578iN9~d7RwC2drQR6kay6JyRV37QsO1f06kyH~eDQhXEOHmRPHmoRoBqjfd1TMB7q6ApgOmfpnEuoQwEkdTTf4P4ToLSeJKN0BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town-County of Nantucket, MA","date","2025-06-18T12:34:01Z","article","The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board voted on June 17 to adopt a summer schedule of one meeting in July and one in August.

Motion by Mr. Anderson, seconded by Mr. Brace, to implement the summer schedule passed unanimously; board members Anderson, Franzudo, Brace and Mayo voted aye and the chair cast the deciding vote in the affirmative.

Board members agreed that if an additional meeting is needed in July or August it can be scheduled, and they set the next meeting for July 15.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Harbor & Shellfish Advisory Board - 6/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted unanimously to adopt a summer schedule of one meeting in July and one in August instead of two meetings per month. The motion passed with all members present voting aye.","taxTitle","Nantucket County, Massachusetts","taxId",61456,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6194719,"Board weighs redesign and distribution of recreational shellfish permit button; staff to coordinate with police",669,1041000,1710000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02&start=1041&end=1710","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02/thumbnail_1041000.jpg","/articles/6194719/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Board-weighs-redesign-and-distribution-of-recreational-shellfish-permit-button-staff-to-coordinate-with-police","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194719-3d3fc90eda7a53525f6f0b4489df31ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141513&Signature=KdS0Cev7pJm53MsHZMwewZOawcV90Zgr0n0Auy2~UoztKy4K-TN3D~vVKOrKcv6pQeIfqqKW1Tae8HhaXwOQTLv5ssfdSpekSn0a7y0fK~IsjvlJ090p~4ZOEQMCGfaEYc5L2h8KpxxWEvYb5Ua0Vo9auovbRjp345zf7viTz2wnbV8ZtghcGYLZKvleTQ8JNADhal1XazsdLvJJyuIGmg4OW9zTuGfC-9uhuTI0x4mXlqI2bT~O5LBSkBct5Leizt7PclZxBFID~-PkILi~7q-Yc0S483b0kUvwb~SlcC6kWcYmj7YenPix27DFTIr7JApudH8XDF058idbiEXoig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board discussed whether the town’s recreational shellfish permit “button” should be redesigned and which town office should sell permits during the June 17 meeting.

Board members said the current button dates and text are confusing and suggested replacing the old “Marine Department” wording with “Natural Resources Department” so permit holders know where to get information. Several members said convenience of buying permits at the police station should remain, and Scott offered to speak with the police licensing agent, Amy Baxter, about returning the historic button design. Tara Riley said Natural Resources can provide updated information to licensing staff and wants to ensure permit holders receive clear, concise regulations with the button purchase.

The board also noted the Town of Nantucket website lists scallop season dates (October 1 to March 31) and that the site needs clarification to show that those dates refer specifically to the recreational bay scallop season; other shellfish seasons run at different times. Board members agreed staff should update the website and permit paperwork to reduce public confusion; no formal motion was taken.","Board members discussed redesigning the town's recreational shellfish permit “button,” who should sell the permits and confusing online season dates. Board members volunteered to talk with the police licensing agent; Natural Resources staff will review permit paperwork and request website corrections.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6194724,"Natural Resources reports water‑quality monitoring, spat bag deployment and spawning activity",129,115000,244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02&start=115&end=244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02/thumbnail_115000.jpg","/articles/6194724/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Natural-Resources-reports-waterquality-monitoring-spat-bag-deployment-and-spawning-activity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194724-6de6288537d2f0c91e312fa3ce1d3b9a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141513&Signature=IPS2c~5lzA0L4ohL6n5mZXKt54SXmb87n~saY-GRudEQhOj-fMN61Dw9k3KdExjw-TYiUcT~cfsiyqpW-~uYaXcpz15D9pwAudgRT7InRpHbzWOrwf-AdVUh5Ot8IgtujGLn78Lqjwsnpl8hKILZW-12CpTAPQC5JgTQXSy7VJmUz67fA08ADBfpGv6O3lBSG5ezRHOQWN8zR3iRCnhrHj2sI3ZFdU2SBSR3VrJwYeq~14cW7MkgCriRJIrkUwHFi~w40ksVS~iYoHuQaRJyg2~phazsym6XLQvdvsU~etwxvth3nrH-loZ8P7xpYh55kcLe6XvusSGAiI7n8OYc8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Natural Resources staff told the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board on June 17 that summer monitoring of harbor and pond water quality has begun and that the department is tracking harmful‑algae blooms weekly through October.

Tara Riley said staff deployed spat bags at May Town (site name in transcript) to monitor bay scallop recruitment; bags soak for six weeks and are checked every two weeks. Riley also reported an active hatchery season: the hatchery had an early oyster spawn that has been moved to the outside system, and another spawn was scheduled for the next day. She said a current spawn cohort contains roughly 40 million larvae (as reported at the meeting).

Fieldwork this week included five dive surveys at Second Bend in anticipation of nearby releases, and staff continue biweekly harbor and Great Pond sampling; Siphamon ponds are sampled monthly. Riley also presented the eelgrass management plan at a recent coastal conference and said the town released the first draft of its eelgrass plan with a short public‑comment window.","Natural Resources staff reported the start of summer water‑quality monitoring, deployment of spat bags to monitor scallop recruitment, ongoing oyster spawns in the hatchery, dive surveys at Second Bend and recent conference presentations.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6194729,"Draft eelgrass management plan released; board urged public comment and protection focus",685,4563000,5248000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02&start=4563&end=5248","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02/thumbnail_4563000.jpg","/articles/6194729/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Draft-eelgrass-management-plan-released-board-urged-public-comment-and-protection-focus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194729-2b03cf7cf645e59b35a4babe4e424d01/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141513&Signature=H9dmHlTTqBGe8gAtlrws6DYffPnytsGf0NkM7UJ~cnWj-kwKsGzSivjHcvE0vLQc2ycUeruOO~KaKKXgvqRXUxY6LmA8q9YpJtFYdHLNmYg8jREvcALnEICppL~6Qqs31TGI7oVwNUc27EWQiLMdQROIP~qS2x~RSkItzEqb~rnn~vr7n~cLANiORFrRT~6o~mh6CnCP0lrQFtsBw-iMEGgEu323l6o4at1eF5GScnt6S8rGwbHf656HWskJP5w8gO7Fcte7DJcT7s9YYo40qqxkvaTMP6nzRa3NvSoDq7jnEEq-2lx6e-txEelNjZ0y2MXzoArBV4ao3hyNhQW7tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Natural Resources staff presented a draft eelgrass management plan to the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board on June 17, showing a long‑term decline in eelgrass coverage across Nantucket Harbor and urging public comment on the draft.

Tara Riley said benthic surveys dating to 2006 show average eelgrass coverage across the harbor declined from about 33% in 2006 to roughly 13% in 2024. The draft—privately funded by the Great Harbor Yacht Club and developed with UMass Boston’s Urban Harbors Institute and the Nantucket Land and Water Council—prioritizes protection measures because restoration is costly and often fails: staff cited a roughly 13% success rate for restoration attempts noted in the plan.

The draft lists physical, chemical and environmental stressors (from shoreline fertilizer and sedimentation to wave and vessel‑induced scour) and offers an extensive list of possible recommendations that are not yet prioritized. Staff said a dredge study will run this September to evaluate dredging methods and monitoring approaches and that a working group will be formed to refine implementation steps. The deadline for public comments on the draft was described as June 22; staff said the plan will remain a living document that can be adjusted over time.

Board members expressed strong support for action and raised questions about reducing sedimentation and changing shoreline practices to help eelgrass recovery. Natural Resources staff said outreach, updated mooring practices and targeted protection are likely first steps; no formal board vote was taken during the meeting.","Natural Resources staff presented a draft eelgrass management plan showing eelgrass coverage in Nantucket Harbor fell from about 33% (2006 baseline) to roughly 13% in 2024. The draft prioritizes protection over costly restoration; staff seeks comments and will form a working group to refine recommendations.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6194734,"Growers, trustees discuss intertidal oyster site; board to await trustees' decision",2934,1758000,4692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02&start=1758&end=4692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3863428-e7469fa2672cc537cd6b8215cffcce02/thumbnail_1758000.jpg","/articles/6194734/Nantucket-County/Massachusetts/Growers-trustees-discuss-intertidal-oyster-site-board-to-await-trustees-decision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6194734-58af052a7084ce6a3fd05d08080f04cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141513&Signature=A7Fi7ofuyG3OOlHhJlfExEz3i1chIzz6Km0LajUC8D8wq0hDyp4OZnGs7Q4nqmZLwDlVhTUTiS9oHdltQXJpUTa8--m4nr8Uf0JbQNMs9TuFE-dd1VfhtAPZDhfbtJayCyH~iEBziWidV3nrZ9NfC18TOa~p-2ebAfD-ZvLgFTXmhhQZnsxIHNLb2m1aKkw~K4Fivl638cmmSdAzOjKNKCXD52ZtH-AN~vMLolUpT5FlORkv23jIdtdcePE7yKv~MAMfnqXPbHh-t27s-8zle9nsFgPPSyrprQUKj~Qy-Vgm~MfszSvzEbvEc5xN~Rs7RDUcybaMm3EvoMuyGZJQoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Oyster growers asked the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board on June 17 to explore creating an intertidal aquaculture site on the northeast side of Wires Point to allow year‑round bottom‑gear farming.

The request, raised by grower Sean Fitzgibbon, drew discussion about who must sign off on intertidal use, how many growers would be affected, and whether intertidal gear would reduce bird predation problems that affect floating gear. Diane (Trustees manager) said the Trustees of Reservations have been consulted and that their jurisdiction stops at the high‑tide line; they are preparing to discuss the matter at a higher management level. Board members agreed the trustees’ leadership should make a formal determination before the board takes further steps.

Board members and growers described current use of intertidal sites on the island: some growers already operate from year‑round intertidal parcels (a two‑acre site northwest of Pulpus Harbor was referenced), while others do not. Several board members said any new allocation should be available to all growers and cautioned that a single site could raise questions of equity if it benefited only a subset of farmers.

Growers and trustees staff discussed practical concerns if a site is approved: access (boats vs. vehicle access at low tide), equipment‑intensive maintenance such as pressure washing of gear, and potential disturbance to nearby recreational users. Several speakers noted intertidal gear tends to be submerged much of the day and, in other Massachusetts towns cited in the discussion, has been less attractive to cormorants than floating gear.

Board members noted procedural steps that remain: an authoritative letter or nod from the trustees, a possible recommendation from the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board to the select board, and a survey by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) if the area is newly proposed for aquaculture. No motion was taken; members said they would wait for the trustees’ decision and additional information before making recommendations.

The discussion closed with offers from growers to provide maps and photos to help staff and board members visualize proposed parcels and with agreement that staff (and trustees) should clarify the chain of approvals needed before a site can be licensed or surveyed by DMF.","Oyster growers asked the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board to support creating an intertidal (wintertidal) aquaculture site near Wires Point. Board members, trustees’ representative and growers discussed access, bird predation, and parity among growers; trustees and state agencies must weigh in before any formal action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board approves reduced July/August meeting schedule

Board weighs redesign and distribution of recreational shellfish permit button; staff to coordinate with police

Natural Resources reports water‑quality monitoring, spat bag deployment and spawning activity

Draft eelgrass management plan released; board urged public comment and protection focus

Growers, trustees discuss intertidal oyster site; board to await trustees' decision