Much has been written about the Atlantic salmon since the early ‘90s when federal agencies decided to list the Atlantic salmon in Maine as endangered. To his credit, then-Gov. Angus King called upon a number of Maine residents knowledgeable about Atlantic salmon and requested they examine the merits of such a listing. After many meetings and considerable research this committee advised Gov. King that the proposal to list Atlantic salmon as endangered had no merit. With the information gathered, the governor then strongly objected to that listing. Acquiescing only partially to his position, the National Marine Fishery Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and other federal agencies chose to list only the so-called Downeast Rivers and Cove Brook, a small tributary of the Penobscot, as endangered and listed the Penobscot and remaining rivers as threatened.
Under the classification of threatened, it allowed the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission to specify how these threatened rivers would be used and monitored. To their credit the commission in 2006 opened the Penobscot to a one-month “catch-and-release” experimental season which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The same timeline was repeated for 2007.
Deeming these two seasons highly successful, as no salmon were injured or killed, the commission, using data collected, changed the catch-and-release season in 2008 from May 1 to May 31. It, however, added a caveat that no more than 50 fish would be caught and released. During this 2008 season, fishermen for the first two weeks found the Penobscot’s waters too wild and aggressive, hence only a few daring anglers participated. Fortunately, the last two weeks presented perfect conditions, which brought out a sizable number of anglers. Due to the cumbersome manner of reporting and collecting catch-and-release data, the total of 50 fish was exceeded by 10. The authorities monitoring the Veazie trap once again were pleased to report no salmon were injured or killed.
Recently, the National Marine Fishery Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have once again proposed closing the Penobscot, Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers and list them as endangered. My question: What has happened since 2006 that would cause a return to the original request to list these rivers again as endangered? The success of three years of catch-and-release seasons has shown, without a doubt, that no harm has beset these salmon.
Dams still block the migration of fish from natural spawning. These rivers are categorized as a “B” standard, which means that we still have much to be done to bring them to an “A” level. Historic records still suggest that no “wild Atlantic salmon” have been seen in the Penobscot for over 150 years. Salmon returning each year are of hatchery origin. Keeping the rivers open for a continuation of catch-and-release angling makes good sense. It offers anglers not only an enjoyable sport, but more importantly a sizable income generated into the Brewer-Bangor area from tourists and those fishing.
Considering the power of the federal government and its driving desire to list, I must ask: Why? And to what end? Assuming all the inhibiting factors inflicted upon the natural migration of salmon, and if successful spawning should occur, it will take 10, 20 or more years to see a “wild salmon.” If that does happen, will catch-and-release angling then be permitted? If then, why not now?
Within many environmental circles, the demise of the Atlantic salmon has unfortunately and incorrectly been compared to the bald eagle and other flying creatures. The bald eagle’s populations were subjected to DDT and other airborne chemicals, and by the elimination of these elements the population has successfully re-bounded. As for Atlantic salmon, whose life cycle depends on avoiding seals, birds and many other predatory animals, the water environment is totally different from the air environment and it’s scientifically irresponsible to compare the two.
As demonstrated most recently on the Penobscot and in many other angling venues, proper catch-and-release anglers pose no problem for the life of Atlantic salmon. The best friend the Atlantic salmon has are the thousands of men and women who angle for them throughout the world and have supported every conservation effort with their energy and funds. Catch-and-release has become the accepted standard, along with Do No Harm!
Lou Horvath is a past president of the Veazie, Eddington, Penobscot Salmon Clubs and the Maine Council Atlantic Salmon Federation. He lives in Holden.