Board seeks a single, reliable temperature source for flagging and plans permanent hatchery weather station; members raise concerns about selective texting
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Summary
Board members disagreed about which temperature station to use for flagging—NOAA/Steamship Authority site versus a Weather Underground station (Mika's Pond)—and discussed plans to install a permanent, publicly available weather station at the hatchery. Commercial fishermen raised concerns about selective text alerts from the warden.
Board members debated which temperature station should be the official reference for flagging days for the scallop fishery.
Jeff Carlson, town natural resources staff, said the Steamship Authority site posts NOAA data but can have posting delays of 30–40 minutes at times, and the town has been using a Weather Underground station (identified in the discussion as "Mika's Pond") because it posts more frequently. "We've had delays in the mornings of anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes in postings," Jeff said of the Steamship Authority feed. He added that the department intends to install a permanent weather station at the hatchery to provide a water-based, continuously posted, publicly available temperature reading.
Commercial fishermen raised concerns about selective text alerts from the warden: John Logan said some fishermen received flagging texts while others did not, and he asked for a uniform notification system so all permit holders are alerted when conditions are favorable.
Why it matters: the temperature source determines whether the board or wardens open or close gear and affects when scaping can occur. A single, reliable, on-water station and an equitable notification system would reduce confusion and perceived unfairness.
Ending: Staff agreed to pursue a permanent weather station at the hatchery and to address the notification procedure with the warden; the board will revisit the temperature-station language as part of its regulatory review.