Increased Atlantic Salmon Restrictions

On 15 June, 2009, federal authorities expanded the protection of the North Atlantic salmon under the Endangered Species Act.. The Androscoggin, Kennebec and the Penobscot rivers in Maine had their salmon populations added into protection. This action will call on Maine to suffer economically once again in order to protect this species.

As reported in the 17 June, 2009 issue of the Bangor Daily News, this action will lead to the end of the catch and release salmon season on the Penobscot River for the foreseeable future. This will not only effect the sports fishing industry but may lead to the closing of the salmon clubs that have championed the preservation of the species. The Penobscot Salmon Club members have sponsored numerous events promoting research and preservation along the Penobscot to help this species. Now through this simple act, the government has basic ensured the demise of the best champions that this endangered species had in the state.

The state of Maine, has lost out over the years to the preservation efforts for Atlantic Salmon. Several hydroelectric dams on the Penobscot River have been removed and other projects prevented from completion. The Veazie Dam and the Great Works Dam are being totally decommissioned. Other dams are having additional fish lifts installed with upgrade costs of $25 million. The plan is to shift additional power generation to dams upriver but under best projections the electricity production will fall short of current levels. In this time of greater need for clean and cheap energy, the state will be reducing its clean hydro capacity.

According to the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the major threat to this species is the fishing fleets of Canada, France and Greenland. These fishing fleets catch large breeding salmon in their nets thus reducing the numbers returning to the spawning rivers. As Maine will have to bear the brunt of the economic loss from this expansion of the endangered species listing, many citizens are wondering if the cost is worth the results. Maine will lose out on sports fishing revenue, decreased electric generation, and increased infrastructure cost to prop up a species whose survival is more dependent on the fishing practices of foreign nations.