Harbor Shellfish board reviews dredge registration, 35‑pound weight rule and possible move to six‑box commercial limit

The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board discussed dredge-design registration, enforcement of a 35‑pound dredge‑weight limit and contingency planning to raise the commercial scallop limit from five to six boxes at its Oct. 7 meeting.

Tara Riley, presenting the Natural Resources report, said the new shellfish bags have been effective as of October and that the department plans to send notice to permit holders outlining how to comply with the updated rules. "The new shellfish bags have gone into effect as of October," Riley said. She described a simple submission form that will ask commercial permit holders to list their permit number, name and preferred dredge type ("traditional dredge," "bar plate dredge" or "both"). JC, the shellfish warden, will distribute the form on opening day and will verify dredge weights in the field, Riley said.

Riley confirmed the department's weight allowance for dredges is 35 pounds. When a board member asked about the current allowance Riley replied, "35 pounds." She also said state and town procedures allow the department to alter harvest limits without a separate public hearing if numbers indicate a need. "We changed the rules last year so that we can really change the [bushel] limit without a public hearing…we can do it immediately overnight," Riley said, describing the ability to act quickly if survey data show a sharp drop in harbor density.

Board members and commercial fishermen raised enforcement and practical concerns. Several speakers urged a grace period at the start of the season so fishers can have newly made dredges weighed before enforcement, and noted that a newly weighted dredge can exceed its dry weight after a day of use. One commercial harvester said recent enforcement of a strictly "level box" standard created practical problems for small boats trying to reach a 30‑ to 35‑pound yield per trip.

Riley said the department completed its dive surveys and is still compiling density numbers, and that preliminary results suggest lower densities than last year. On survey timing she said she hoped to have more definitive figures "by the end of this week." The board discussed using those survey results to decide whether to recommend a temporary change in the commercial limit for the upcoming season.

The meeting agenda included a line describing a potential commercial limit increase: "Commercial bushel limit increased to 6 boxes from 5 starting November 3." Board members discussed putting a recommendation on the Selectmen's agenda so the Selectmen could act quickly if needed; the board did not take a formal vote on changing harvest limits at this meeting. Several members said they intend to place the topic on the board's Oct. 21 agenda for further discussion and to notify local buyers and stakeholders in advance of that meeting.

Riley also described a proposed paired‑dredge study with academic collaborators to compare the habitat impact and performance of the traditional dredge versus new designs. She said the study would require active participation from fishers to be scientifically valid and that the department would work with academic partners to design the paired trials.

The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes for Sept. 23 by voice vote earlier in the session and adjourned at 5:59 p.m. No formal regulatory change to dredge weight or the commercial box limit was adopted during the Oct. 7 meeting.

Next steps: Riley expects more finalized survey numbers before the board's next meeting; the board intends to consider a recommendation to the Selectmen if the data indicate the harvest would require a temporary box‑limit adjustment.