Mr. Colvin briefed the Council on the current crisis involving a large die-off of lobsters in Long Island Sound that has devastated the lobster fishery in the Sound. The University of Connecticut Lab had identified a paramoeba parasite that might be responsible for the death of these lobsters; final results were expected in one week. Neither pesticides, methane bubbles, nor chemical residues were found in the water samples or sediments from the Sound. Maine suspected a similar infection in its lobsters, perhaps caused by bait. Mr. Colvin noted that DEC had started a lobster mortality surveillance program. Last year something similar happened, but in a smaller area for a much shorter length of time. Carl LoBue of DEC added that this year’s dead zone was further east. Samples taken off Fishers Island revealed not a paramoeba but shellfish disease. In answer to Mr. Wise’s question about federal disaster relief, Mr. Colvin recalled that when the salmon fishery collapsed in Alaska, other income options and counseling were provided to local fishermen. Such federal funds could also be used for studies and for restocking programs. Byron Young said that a state revolving loan program might be activated to provide impacted lobster fishermen some economic relief. John German of the Long Island Sound Lobstermens Association stated that lobsterman would prefer fishing to any kind of welfare. Councilor Relyea pointed out that getting any kind of state or federal assistance was very difficult; none was received last year for the Vibrio parahaemolyticus problem.

Mr. Colvin requested that MRAC follow the developing situation closely; the DEC may need help in obtaining funds to deal with this. Chairman Wise pointed out that there had been discussions eighteen months ago on the general issue of shellfish/marine animal diseases. New York once had an active program of research and diagnostic service in this area; re-establishing it could meet the need for sustained aquatic animal disease monitoring and research. Some members of the audience suggested that a strong statement should be made from the highest level of state authority, including the State Health Department and DEC, reassuring the public that the apparent disease problem affecting lobsters did not pose any known risk to public health. Mr. Wise agreed to communicate this message to the Health Department. Mr. Colvin agreed that the DEC should also ask the Health Department to make this statement, and then MRAC should assist in spreading the message.

Councilor Fred Schwab asked if it were true that environmental requirements to test dredge materials from Mamaroneck Harbor before disposal in Long Island Sound had been circumvented. Some have suggested that disposal of these materials may have been a contributory factor in the present lobster mortality problem. Mr. Colvin answered that Long Island Sound was not part of the original ocean dumping legislation; however, a separate amendment made it subject to the same testing criteria and restrictions, except for "small" (under 20,000 cubic yards) projects, where the cost of the testing might exceed the cost of the dredging. Government recommendations led to a harbor-wide, long-term, consolidated dredging project for Mamaroneck Harbor. Councilor Sullivan said that he understood toxic material was involved and that environmental regulations had been eluded by the use of 23 separate permits rather than a single large-volume permit. Mr. Schwab said that such loop holes cannot be permitted. Mr. Wise agreed to assemble the pertinent facts regarding the Mamaroneck Harbor dredging project and put them before the Council at an upcoming meeting.