Government Salmon Restrictions hurt Maine

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On 15 June,2009, federal authorities expanded the protection of th 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 can on Maine to suffer economically once again 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 this species. The Penobscot Salmon Club members have sponsored numerous events promoting research and preservation along the Penobscot in order to help this species. Now through this simple act, the government has ensured the demise of the best champion for this endangered species. The state of Maine has lost out over the years to the preservation efforts for the 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. Ohter dams are having additional fish lifts installed with an upgrade cost of $25 million. The plan is to shift additional power generation to dams upriver but even under the best projections, the electricity production will fall short of the current levels. In this time of greater need for clean and cheap energy, the state will be reducing its clean hydroelectric 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 number that can return to the breeding rivers. As Maine will bear the brunt of the economic loss from the results of the endangered species listing, one has to wonder if actions in Maine will have any effect on the species survival. Maine will lose out on sports fishing revenue, decreased electricity generation, and increased infrastructure costs to prop up a species whose survival is more dependent on the fishing practices of foreign nations.