Richard Maximus Strahan v. Division of Marine Fisheries (SPR 20220637)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records March 31, 2022 SPR22/0637 Jared A. Silva Keeper of Records Division of Marine Fisheries 251 Causeway Street, Suite 400 Boston, MA 02114 Dear Mr. Silvia: I have received the petition of Richard Max Strahan appealing the response of the Division of Marine Fisheries (Division) to a request for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On February 15, 2022, Mr. Strahan requested the following: 1. Copy of the computer database for 2021 recreational lobster fishing permit holders including the name, mailing address, residential address, phone number, permit number, vessel name & e-mail address for each said permittee. 2. Copies of correspondence between DMF employees and NMFS employees in 2021 concerning the awarding of ESA Section 6 cooperative agreement funding to Center for Coastal Studies. 3. Copies of correspondence between DMF employees with Center for Coastal Studies employees in 2021 about the distribution of ESA cooperative agreement funds to the CCS. Prior Appeal This request was the subject of a prior appeal. See SPR22/0467 Determination of the Supervisor of Records (March 2, 2022). On March 15, 2022, the Division provided a further response. Unsatisfied with the Division’s response, Mr. Strahan petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR22/0637, was opened as a result. Based upon a conversation between a Public Records Division staff attorney and a Division representative, it is my understanding that the Division intends on providing a subsequent response to Mr. Strahan.

Jared A. Silva SPR22/0637 Page 2 March 31, 2022 Accordingly, the Division is ordered to provide Mr. Strahan with a response to his request in a manner consistent with the Public Records Law and its Access Regulations within 10 business days. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Mr. Strahan may appeal the substantive nature of the Division’s response within ninety days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Richard Max Strahan