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Committee considers leaving Frenchman Bay shellfish program after fee increase; commercial harvesters would face license changes
Summary
The Finance Committee reviewed a proposed increase in the Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Conservation Program fee from $3,000 to $4,000. Committee member recommended withdrawing the city after a one-year transition to avoid immediate harm to 10 local commercial clam harvesters, who would need to obtain nonresident licenses through neighboring towns.
A committee member briefed the Finance Committee on the town’s participation in the Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Conservation Program. The town previously paid $3,000 annually; the regional program has proposed raising that contribution to $4,000.
The committee member said Ellsworth currently has 10 commercial clam harvesters who secure licenses here; the city retains $3 of each license fee while the remainder funnels to Franklin, which administers the program. The member said Ellsworth lacks clam flats and derives little direct conservation benefit while subsidizing regional administration.
"My recommendation... is I think we should pull out of it, but not — I think we should give them a year," the committee member said, proposing a transition that would let harvesters plan to obtain licenses from other towns when their current permits expire June 30. Committee members raised concerns that neighboring towns limit nonresident licenses and that shifting harvesters could be difficult for their livelihoods.
Members asked staff to send program materials to the Harbor Commission or an appropriate advisory body for review and to solicit input from the local harvesters before any final council decision. The matter will also appear in the budget review as the committee considers the modest but recurring contribution.
