NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard on Maine's Atlantic Salmon (MidCurrent)

“35 or so years ago while at Grand Pitch on Maine’s Seboeis River, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. As I stared at the brown water crashing over the rocks, a fish I estimated to be 30-inches or more, leaped from the water and attempted to clear the falls, only to slide back into the white foam below. It tried twice more before disappearing into the blackness. I had just seen my first Atlantic salmon in the wilds of Maine. That fish has haunted me ever since. -Bob Mallard”

“Fewer than 100, and maybe as few as several dozen, wild Atlantic salmon are returning to the whole DPS in some recent years.  And it’s more likely than not that one or both of their parents came from a hatchery.”  -Dwayne Shaw, Executive Director, DSF

“Wild Atlantic salmon once ranged across New England.  Today, these fish persist in only a handful of Maine rivers and not enough is being done to bring them back from the edge of extinction.  A state listing would help tackle a number of significant threats to the species that the federal listing has been unable to address for the last 20 years.”  -John Burrows, Executive Director of U.S. Operations, ASF

“Atlantic salmon are classified as Endangered at the federal level and are at risk of going away.  The only Atlantic salmon left in the country are in Maine, yet the state has not listed them as Endangered at the state level.  Listing Atlantic salmon at the state level would help protect this important natural resource, align the State of Maine with federal efforts to protect the species, and help conserve one of Maine’s and the nation’s greatest and most emblematic fish.”  -Emily Bastian, National Vice Chair, NFC

 “If the number of moose or white-tailed deer in Maine numbered less than 100, it's very likely that the regulatory agencies of Maine would list them as endangered.  Why has the state failed to do the same for Atlantic salmon?"  -Topher Browne, Author of Atlantic Salmon Magic

"It is past time for the State of Maine to acknowledge the endangered status of Atlantic salmon and embrace a leadership role in protecting and celebrating this King (and Queen) of Fish."  -Catherine Schmitt, Author of The President's Salmon.

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“As far as Atlantic salmon go, the horse left the stall 20 years ago when the feds listed the species as ‘Endangered,’ and it won’t be put back until we restore them or the feds throw in the towel. Due to the fact that the only active restoration efforts are in Maine, the likelihood that the feds will give up anytime soon is low. If you don’t like federal intervention, fix the problem. By refusing to do everything we can, Maine is lengthening the duration of the federal restrictions, putting us at risk of further restrictions, and increasing the likelihood we could lose a critically important part of Maine’s heritage. We need Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to take a more active role in regard to Atlantic salmon restoration, as without their full support this is not going to happen. The best way to do that, and the right thing to do at this time, is to list salmon as ‘Endangered’ at the state level. -Bob Mallard”