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Advisory board debates easing apprenticeship rules to attract young scallopers
Summary
Board members urged simplifying the commercial scalloping apprenticeship—reducing paperwork and allowing apprentice days to count without separate town licenses—to encourage youth participation; members proposed junior apprenticeship tracks, BMP one-pagers, and bringing enforcement staff into future meetings.
The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board spent substantial time on April 7 reviewing the commercial scalloping apprenticeship guidelines and shellfish regulations. Members noted the board reduced the required apprenticeship days from 40 to 25 last year but said administrative barriers still prevent many young or occasional participants from getting apprentice days to count.
Several board members described situations in which students or visiting family members who fished with experienced harvesters could not have their days counted because they lacked a state or town license or because the required paperwork was not completed before the March 31 administrative deadline. One member said the current system can discourage people who want to learn the fishery. The board discussed options including creating a separate junior-apprenticeship category for under-18s, instituting a student or weekly commercial permit, and allowing the shellfish warden to verify apprentice days without requiring in-person proof at the dock.
Tara recommended the board develop a concise Best Management Practices (BMPs) one-pager for apprentices and to consult with the shellfish warden (JC) and enforcement (Jeff) when drafting regulation changes. The chair and members agreed to draft proposed language, involve the Shellfish Association and enforcement staff, and aim to present recommended revisions to the select board by August so changes could be in place before the next commercial season.
Board members emphasized maintaining safeguards so inexperienced harvesters do not harm eelgrass or habitat while making it easier for newcomers to gain supervised experience. Mr. Peel (Matthew Peele) suggested separating a junior-apprenticeship regulation to reduce loophole risk.
