Attendance: Leo Byrnes, Bill Burt, John Caskey, Michael Collins, Richard Conner, Judith Dutra, Julie Early, Robert Edgar, Rob Garrison, Cliff Goudey, Harlyn Halvorson, Rick Karney, Dale Leavitt, Jack Pearce, Scott Soares, Ron Smolowitz, Peter Spalt, Tobin Storer, John Winslow, Rick York

1. Welcome Remarks. Harlyn Halvorson welcomed the group on behalf of himself and the Cape Cod Economic Development Council. A great deal been happening in the State and it is important for the members of SSWG to remained informed through these meetings as well via the network established through our minutes.

2. GIS. Robert Edgar reported on his progress to date and efforts to obtain grant support. He has a computer system with all the hardware in place (scanners, digitizers, etc.) which is designated for GIS, and he has purchased the best software system (PC ARC Info) for GIS. He has also sent one of his students off to be trained how this works. He has pulled together about $6,000 from a variety of projects for the system as it now stands. Based upon the directions taken in Maritime Canada, he, Harlyn Halvorson and Chrystal Mancuso submitted a proposal for a demonstration project for Cape Cod Bay to NRAC which is currently under review. The important part is to input useful data on the World Wide Web and to have convenient locations where it can be accessed by the user community. He described a model system in Berkeley for San Francisco Bay that has been successful. SSWG would serve as a resource for input, monitoring and evaluating the Web Site. To be practical, the operations must be user friendly. Several suggestions were given for sources of data to be inputted, the frequency of data collection and the maximum and minimums to be used. The variables listed in the Blueprint will be the starting point to which regulatory restraints will be added. Ron Smolowitz suggested that the Magnuson-Stevens Act for Habitat may be a way to fund access to the Web Site.

3. SE Mass. Aquaculture Center. Dale Leavitt and Mike Collins reviewed the progress and the hearing Nov. 15 in Barnstable chaired by John O'Brien concerning establishing this center. Sen. Rauchenbach was able to obtain $100,000 from the Seaport Bond Bill to start a regional aquaculture center for SE Massachusetts to be housed in Barnstable County and under the auspices of Cooperative Extension Service on the Cape and the Cape Cod Economic Development Council. To give some form to this center a series of meetings were started last May to propose a structure. After the Governors announcement the Nov. 15th meeting was held to get industry input. The suggestions focused around education and training programs, the possibility of developing a resource center with a paid director, and a loan fund. Ron Smolowitz said that the best use of this money, in his opinion, was to leaverage grants.

There was a strong interest in establishing a spokesman for the aquaculture industry who would help provide funds and technical assistance to growers. Sen. Rauchenbach endorsed the establishment of a fund to deal with diseases encountered in aquaculture. The initial planning group will next be reconvened and it is expected that they will identify an advisory group for the center. All permit holders will be invited to attend this meeting. The intent is to make the Board of Directors industry weighted.

4. Other State Initiatives. Scott Soares was introduced as the new State Aquaculture Coordinator. He stated that he was in the process of establishing an industry advisory group. They will be involved in a variety of projects, some interagency, the offshore Norwegian Project, Moon Island Project, various interests in coastal areas, etc. In doing this, he hopes to pull a number of groups together and to keep in communication with SSWG. Also an Aquaculture Innovation Center is planned for Salem College.

Falmouth selectmen have voted to accept a set of regulations for licensing aquaculture shellfish farms under the supervision of Shellfish Constable Paul Montague. Offshore licenses are to be limited to 10 acres for the first 5 years. Dale Leavitt reported on the discussions leading up to this decision. The Conservation Commission, which will fund some projects, has received a few letters asking them to become more active in this area. Dale pointed out that there has been confusion on the issues and SSWG will need to provide further information. Harlyn Halvorson reported that all the selectmen had received copies of the Blueprint and support for this industry in Mass from SSWG. The selectmen in Falmouth have been very supportive of shellfish aquaculture - a change from the past.

5. Right Whale Concerns. Ellie Dorsey, who is the contact person for the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), could not attend this meeting but instead sent us the CLF press release and promised to attend our next meeting. CLF has opposed the more restrictive language in the law suite by Max Strahan. They are part of the 10 member state working group which is mandated by Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to meet his requirements by December 16th. Ellie Dorsey reported that the committee was searching for ways to reduce the entanglement risks, especially by modifying the fishing gear. She would be very surprised if this issue impacted on the project off Martha's Vineyard.

6. NMFS Strategic Plan. Jack Pearce summarized the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Plan which is designed to cover the next 5 years. Recent public meetings in Gloucester and Providence were poorly attended by industry largely due to poor communications. Copies of the plan were distributed. Additional copies can be obtained from Jack Pearce or from Harlyn Halvorson. Jack pointed out that these plans emerge every 5 years. He pointed out that the American Public sees itself as being involved or as owners of living marine organisms or coastal habitats. The issues are global. The public is concerned and they must be considered in policy decisions. He drew attention to:
The NOAA Fisheries Mission: Stewardship of living resources for the benefit of the nation through their science-based conservation and management and promotion of the health of their environment..

The NOAA Fisheries Vision: NOAA Fisheries envisions a future in which the American people are able to enjoy the wealth and benefits of diverse and self- sustaining living marine resources.

NOAA Fisheries Strategic Goals: Sustained Fisheries; Recovered Protected Species; Healthy Coasts.

Sustainable resources are critical, and are based upon his 35 year experience with NMFS. The public has a greater concern for mammals than for fisherman! NOAA has several hats to wear, sustainability, aquaculture and concern for marine mammals. All this will require consensus building. He suggested that the best way to market fish is as a healthy product.

Jack Pearce then reviewed the NOAA Fisheries National Objectives.
Among these he particularly stressed:
Increase economic, social, and health benefits to the nation from living marine resources.
Advance environmentally sound aquaculture.
Recover and maintain protected species populations.

There was a general concern over the breakdown of information about NMFS meetings, in spite of the desire of NMFS staff to solicit input. Rob Garrison pointed out that NMFS needs to develop a more positive position in its Plan for aquaculture. Harlyn Halvorson noted that the NMFS Plan should interact more closely with emerging National Aquaculture Plan (JAS). Ron Somolowitz observed that in the NOAA Plan they consider NOAA as the steward of marine living resources. Do they own Salmon pens in Federal waters? Do they determine the size of cultured products in Federal waters? There are a number of questions to resolve.

After considerable discussion it was agreed to:
1. Ask Scott Soares to communicate SSWG concerns with the NOAA Plan to the Regional Director and ask for a meeting to provide input..
2. To organize a subcommittee to draft a SSWG response to the NOAA Plan. Chair: Rob Garrison, Scott Soares will also serve on this subcommittee.

7. Long Line Shellfish Workshop at MIT. Harlyn Halvorson summarized the Nov. 18th workshop sponsored by the Aquaculture Coalition ( Jill Fallon) and MIT Sea Grant College Program. Tom Sephton reviewed the Canadian experience in Prince Edwards Island, Don Bishop repeated his presentation on gear experience in Japan, and Neville Thomson gave an interesting review of the experience in Australia and New Zealand. The question remained as to the relevance of these experiments to Massachusetts. There were two round tables: the first on industry obstacles (Smolowitz, Taylor) and the second on solutions (few new solutions given).

8. Public Food Market Project. Harlyn Halvorson and Sandy Campbell attended the second meeting of this group (Dec. 3) hosted by Jay Healy, Commissioner of Food and Agriculture. Commissioner Healy has long been interested in developing a cooperative program to assist agriculture and aquaculture. The present discussions are to explore the feasibility of establishing a farm market in Boston or its environments to guarantee high quality products. Sandy Campbell is assisting in helping to decide what are the issues to be addressed. A mission statement is being drafted. Ultimately an RFP for a feasibility study will be funded by USDA. The Pike's Center in Seattle, which also includes restaurants and native crafts and arts, is being looked at as a model. When a consultant is hired, the input from groups such as SSWG will be needed. Leo Byrnes commented on his experience with farm markets. Should there be many markets or one?

9. Hatchery and Field Culture Methods. Rick Karney reviewed the experience obtained on sea scallops. A report is available for this project. Funded by a $36,000 FIG grant (Feb. 1995 to June 1996) they adopted, with the aid of Frank Dutra, culture methods for bay scallops to grow sea scallops which could be used for stock enhancement. Sea scallops grow more slowly. There is little experience in the US; In Maine one project was supported a few years ago by the National Coastal Research Institute. This was somewhat successful and Karney and colleagues built upon their report. Starting with 7 M eggs, 1.35 M were brought through the larval stage, and 500,000 reach 2mm seed size. At this point offshore growers could not get their required permits to accept them. As the water temperature rose too high, 80% were lost. Under his special authority the shellfish constable in Truro permitted transfer to the Dutra's. These were planted at the end of July, and 2 months later 66% survived. Eventually 50,000 reached the 40 mm size. Frank found that he could educe the labor costs by moving the animals at a very small size. In response to Smolowitz's question, it took 18 months to bring them to the 40 mm size. Judy Dutra said that the growth was site specific. These animals grew faster than those in the Canadian experiments (? nutrients, temperature). They also used bottom cages instead of hanging lines. Karney then proceeded to illustrate this with a slide show.

This was followed by a lengthy discussion of peoples experience in shipping scallops. Low water temperature and the use of moist towels were cited as helpful. Since it was estimated that the animals would be on board ship from the Martha's Vineyard demonstration site about 10 hours, further information on shipping conditions are needed.

10. Experimental Fishing Industry Concern. Ron Smolowitz reminded us that with the passing of Amendment #5, we have a 120 day comment period. Experimental fishing permits will be required. In the past the Regional Director could make exemptions. It is time for us to consider drafting modifications to the Sea Scallop Management Plan and to take these through the council process. We could differentiate between cultured and captured scallops, design a better process and support an aquaculture research process. It was agreed that this would be a good topic for our next meeting.

11. Next Meeting. The next meeting of SSWG will be held at the Cape Cod Economic Development Council in Hyannis at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, January 15,1997.

Harlyn O. Halvorson
December 17, 1996