Maine NFC and Others Work to List Atlantic Salmon at the State Level

Atlantic salmon are listed as “Endangered” by the federal government. Federal restoration efforts have been suspended in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont; and salmon hang on by a thread in Maine. So they must be endangered in Maine, right?

“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”

Unfortunately, twenty years after the federal government formally recognized the plight of Atlantic salmon, Maine has refused to list Atlantic salmon as Endangered at the state level. In fact, they are not even listed as Threatened. This includes both the Maine Endangered Species Act (MESA,) and the Maine Marine Endangered Species Act (ESA.) They are not classified as “Threatened” either. And amazingly, they are not even listed as a Species of Special Concern.

“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”

At the federally mandated Wildlife Action Plan level, Maine’s Atlantic salmon are listed as a Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need, two steps below Endangered, one step below Threatened, and the same status granted to Arctic charr, which are a Species of Special Concern, another notable discrepancy. 

“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”

NFC is part of a coalition of conservation organizations, scientists, and salmon advocates that is petitioning the state of Maine to list federally endangered Atlantic salmon as “Endangered” at the state level.  The lack of a state listing results in conflicts between agencies, and actions that hamper restoration efforts. 

As a first step, the coalition sent a letter to Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), requesting that they look into listing Atlantic salmon under MESA.

Click Here to Read Coalition Letter

MDIFW refused the request, citing applicability issues, specifically that Atlantic salmon were not an “inland” species, and therefore ineligible for protection under MESA. Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), the agency in charge of ESA, co-signed the MDIFW response, even though the request was specific to MESA and not sent to MDMR.

Click Here to Read MDIFW/MDMR Response

If Atlantic salmon are not an inland species, they are by default a “marine” species, and eligible for protection under ESA. The only issue is whether they are in fact endangered, threatened, or a species of concern. So the next step is to formally petition MDMR.     

“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”

“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”

NFC Executive Director Bob Mallard wrote an article about Atlantic salmon and the need for a state listing. Originally published in MidCurrent, it was also picked up by Fly Life Magazine and Epic Fly Rods on their blog. This led to subsequent related articles in Northwoods Sporting Journal and American Fly Fishing.

Click Here to Read