Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board forwards amended shellfish regulations to Select Board after debate over green-crab permits

The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board voted April 15 to forward amended town shellfish regulations to the Select Board and request a public hearing, after debate about how the draft addresses green-crab permits, eel traps and the transferability of commercial trap tags.

Board member Mister Franzuto moved to “accept the regulations as amended and forward it to the select 1 for approval,” and Mister Anderson seconded. The motion passed with Mister Franzuto, Mister Anderson, Mister Brace and the chair voting aye; Mister DeCosta and Mister Sherwin abstained. The board asked staff to note the abstentions and the reason for recusal in the submission to the Select Board.

Why it matters: The draft changes clarify how town rules will reference state requirements for harvesting green crabs, set limits on bycatch in closed areas used for scalloping, and preserve an administrative path for transferring commercial trap tags. Those points affect commercial harvesters and recreational users who take bait in Nantucket Harbor.

Discussion and key clarifications - Green crab Letter of Authorization (LOA): Jeff, director of Natural Resources, and JC (local constable) explained that the draft regulations reference a state…