Scallop Research

February 24, 2009

Harbor and Shellfish Advisory Board
Town of Nantucket Annex
Washington Street
Nantucket, MA 02554

Dear Sirs,

The Nantucket Shellfish Association (NSA) recommends that additional research be directed towards the proposal that scallops may be harvested without harming the Nantucket scallop fishery if such scallops are at least one inch thick. It is anticipated that the additional research will be accomplished by the Town shellfish biologist and the Maria Mitchell Association (MMA).

This NSA recommendation is in response to the Paul Diodati, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), memorandum dated January 9, 2009 which stated that the DMF encourages further research into the appropriateness of the proposed “one inch rule” and suggested two “field seasons” (years) of further study.

The proposed MMA research is consistent with the NSA objectives and the NSA desire to support the research financially. While it is agreed that the NSA would prefer to give a larger amount, the NSA approved a donation of $5,000 to the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association to be paid $2,500 currently and the remaining $2,500 by October 31, 2009.

On January 27, 2009, the Nantucket Shellfish Association voted unanimously to support and encourage additional research with respect to the proposal that scallops may be harvested without harming the fishery if such scallops are at least one inch thick.

Sincerely,

Whiting (Whitey) Willauer, President
Nantucket Shellfish Association