[Adopted 9-5-2007]
Pursuant to C.G.S. § 26-257a, as amended, and § 7-5 of the Charter, the Town of Clinton has authorized the creation of the Shellfish Commission, the members of which are appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Commission consists of five members who must be electors and residents of the Town of Clinton. Insofar as practical, members appointed will be representative of all groups interested in the management, protection and regulation of all shellfisheries and shellfish grounds lying within the jurisdiction of the Town of Clinton.
The terms of office of the members of the Shellfish Commission are two years in accordance with § 7-5 of the Charter of the Town of Clinton. Members of the Commission serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.
The Shellfish Commission shall be charged with
the duty and purpose of managing and being in charge of all of the
shellfisheries and shellfish grounds lying within the Town of Clinton
not granted to others and not under the jurisdiction of the Commissioner
of Agriculture, including all rivers, inland waters and flats adjacent
to all beaches and waters within the limits and bounds of the municipality
of the Town of Clinton.
A.
The powers and duties of the Shellfish Commission
shall be exercised and performed as herein provided and as authorized
by the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut. In addition,
the Clinton Shellfish Commission may issue licenses for the taking
of shellfish within its jurisdiction and fix the fees and may designate
the quantities of shellfish to be taken, the sizes of such shellfish
and the methods of taking shellfish. The Commission may specify the
seasons and hours of taking shellfish and may prohibit the taking
of shellfish from certain designated areas for periods of time. The
Shellfish Commission shall further have the power to create a shellfish
management plan and may issue reasonable rules and regulations to
further the protection and propagation of the shellfish under its
control and the grounds in its jurisdiction. All fees and moneys collected
by the Commission pursuant to this article and pursuant to the Connecticut
General Statutes shall be paid to the Commission and used by the Commission
for the protection and propagation of shellfish under its control
and the further management of the shellfish grounds.
B.
The Commission shall have the power to direct the
shellfish wardens as enforcement officers to supervise the beds and
enforce the regulations issued by the Commission and those of the
State of Connecticut. The Commission may further set penalties for
violation of its regulations subject to the restrictions therein as
provided in C.G.S. § 26-257a, as amended. The Commission
members shall also be sworn in as special shellfish constables for
the same term and shall also have such powers and duties as are specified
in C.G.S. § 26-277, as amended.
The Shellfish Commission shall from time to
time, but not less often than annually, make a report to the Town
relative to the work of the Commission and shall submit such other
reports as may be requested from time to time by the Board of Selectmen.
