Maine IFW 2023 Regulations Proposal a Major Step Backwards
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife just published their proposed regulations changes for 2023. Those in NFC most familiar with the regulatory process and history, see this as arguably the worse proposal in recent history.
“This package represents a concerning reduction in protections for wild native salmonids, including State Heritage Fish waters and rare Arctic charr, through increased bag limits and/or decreased minimum length limits.”
A large package representing consisting of a years worth of changes, the MDIFW Advisory Council must now vote the entire package either up or down. Without a line-item veto, an issue NFC would like to try to address, or a MDIFW Commissioner who has shown a willingness to work with outside groups to resolve concerns, it is very likely the package will go forward as presented.
“Specifically, 80% of wild native salmonid waters considered in the proposal will have the minimum length limit reduced and 8% will see both a minimum length reduction and a bag limit increase.”
Almost all of the proposed changes are coming from MDIFW, not sportsmen. Their underlying goal is to enhance “Salmonid Growth and Performance.” How harvesting more, smaller, and larger fish will accomplish this is very unclear, and not backed with any data.
“In 35 cases, the minimum length limit will be reduced from 12, 14, or 18 inches to the General Law default of 6 inches. This will reduce the minimum length limit by 50% or more, and make it easier for anglers to harvest their limit, while allowing for the harvest of small pre-spawning age fish.”
Continuing what has been a disturbing trend of liberalizing regulations on wild native fish over the last couple of years, MDIFW is proposing notable changes to many wild native trout waters, including State Heritage Fish waters, and rare wild native Arctic charr waters.
“The package includes changes to 32 State Heritage Fish waters, 30, or 94%, of which will see their regulations liberalized. Fourteen of the State Heritage Fish waters that will see their regulations liberalized have never been stocked, and contain genetically pure fish. Twelve have not been stocked in twenty-five years or more. And six waters have not been directly stocked, but may, or may not have received stocked fish from a tributary source.”
And as was the case with regard to the proposed exemptions to the critically important North Zone “no live fish as bait by rule not exception,” one region, Region G, accounts for a disproportionate number of negative changes. When challenged by NFC, the proposed exemptions were sent back for revision, resulting in a notable decline.
“The regional analysis is also concerning: As was the case with the North Zone exemption proposals, Region G is showing a disproportionate number of negative changes. Out of 43 total wild native waters with proposed changes in Region G, 95% will see liberalized regulations. Specifically, 81% will have their minimum length limit reduced and 14% will see both a minimum length reduction and a bag limit increase.”
In general, it is unclear what MDIFW is doing and why. As we have said for years, while you can harvest your way into trouble, you can rarely harvest your way out of it. And what is the message Maine is sending out? If we can’t protect wild native brook trout and Arctic charr, what can we protect?
“Black Pond is one of only 12 wild native Arctic charr waters in the contiguous United States, all of which are in Maine. It is also a State Heritage Fish water, and a trophy recreational fishery of note. The proposal doubles (from 1- to 2-fish) the daily limit on wild native brook trout and rare native Arctic charr. The minimum length limit would be reduced by 12”, or 66% (from 18- to 6-inches).”
