Atlantic salmon protection expected

In 1998, only 23 salmon returned to the seven Maine rivers originally proposed for listing.

October 15, 1999
Web posted at: 11:43 a.m. EDT (1543 GMT)

In 1998, only 23 salmon returned to the seven Maine rivers originally proposed for listing. Atlantic salmon may at last receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, according to an announcement by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt Thursday.

The decision is a direct response to a lawsuit filed by conservationists last January to secure federal protection for the declining salmon.

A biological status report released jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service confirms conservationists' claim that wild Atlantic salmon are in danger of extinction.

The report concludes that fewer adult salmon are returning to spawn and young salmon in the rivers are surviving at a lower rate than expected, even in the face of a considerable conservation effort.

The report calls for water diversion controls to ensure that adequate river flows are maintained, restrictions on recreational fishing and aquaculture safeguards.

In 1997 the services jointly withdrew a proposed rule to list Atlantic salmon in seven Maine rivers under the Endangered Species Act, resulting in a lawsuit led by the Defenders of Wildlife.

According to Fish and Wildlife Service salmon biologist Paul Nickerson, the withdrawal was based on the Maine Atlantic Conservation Plan, an effort launched by state, federal and private entities. Those who objected to the listing based their arguments on the grounds that the designation would deprive Maine residents the ability to exercise final authority over land use near rivers where salmon run. Blueberry and cranberry growers, loggers and nearby property owners would be subject to federal regulations as well.

Although some of the conservation efforts have been successful, Nickerson said, "we do not feel that a majority of the threats have been abated."

The largest threat, Nickerson said, results from domestically raised salmon, the fastest-growing sector of American agriculture. Seafood farming accounts for revenues of approximately $60 million in Maine and $900 million throughout the rest of the nation

"The aquaculture industry raises salmon of various origins. When fish get loose from time to time, they pose several threats to wild populations," Nickerson said. Nickerson said the farm-bred salmon threaten the genetic integrity of wild salmon by breeding with them.

"The lower the population of wild salmon, the greater the risk is because it takes less and less genetic infusion to corrupt it," he said.

Official listing of Atlantic salmon under ESA could take up to 15 months.

In addition, the domesticated salmon often spread disease to wild salmon populations such as the infectious salmon anemia virus.

Nickerson said other dangers to Atlantic salmon are the result of water withdrawals from spawning habitat, and mortality in the salmon's marine environment.

Although no salmon are legally killed by sport fishermen in Maine, Nickerson said catch and release practices might be harming already-low salmon populations. "Many experts have suggested that the season be closed," he said.

"If we could eliminate the threat from aquaculture by making the salmon cages escape proof, eliminate the risk of disease transmission, ensure that water withdrawal won't have a negative impact on spawning habitat, and eliminate catch and release fishing, that would put us in a much better position for protecting salmon." But Nickerson cautioned, "It will take time for the salmon to respond. These things need to happen soon."

Since the actual listing of the salmon could take up to 15 months, conservation groups are raising additional concern.

"As we have stated in our lawsuit, the current status of Atlantic salmon in Maine demands that the services make an immediate emergency listing of the fish under the ESA," said Roger Schlickeisen, president of the Defenders of Wildlife. "Any further delay in extending the Atlantic salmon the protection that the law demands would necessitate continued legal action."

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