Please take time to digest and consider this link AS Policy Brief
Writing seeking support for a carefully managed, limited catch-and-release season for Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot River. A limited catch-and-release season for Atlantic salmon on the Penobscot would give anglers the same opportunity our neighbor New Brunswick has proven works—enjoying the tradition of Atlantic Salmon fishing while protecting every fish. It would also allow biologists to tag, sample, and assess salmon in ways not always possible at fishways. By balancing conservation with responsible access, a limited catch-and-release season could advance both public stewardship and the long-term recovery of this iconic species. By opening the door to this type of stewardship, we can engage the public, strengthen our scientific understanding, and work together for the future of Atlantic salmon in Maine.
Since the Atlantic Salmon was listed over $200M has been spent including:
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service allocates about $8.6 million annually for ongoing salmon restoration and management. This funding supports hatchery operations, population assessments, and enforcement of the Endangered Species Act.
- NOAA Fisheries has awarded multi-year grants for habitat restoration in the Gulf of Maine. Recent awards have been in the range of $1.2 million to $1.5 million and target specific watersheds including the Penobscot River.
- The Maine Governor’s office has announced significant allocations for sea-run fish restoration projects. In 2023, for example, it committed $3.7 million.
- Organizations like the Atlantic Salmon Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Downeast Salmon Federation consistently raise millions of dollars to acquire dams, replace culverts, and fund habitat improvements.
- Funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Farm Bill directed millions to Maine for fish passage and habitat improvements.
Let’s get some angling data! Please review the attached Policy Brief outlining an approach and together mobilize needed support by sharing with legislators, tribal leaders, land trusts, and the media. If your community is along the Penobscot River, put a copy up at your town hall or bring a copy to the next open hearing.
This could be a wonderfully limited and prestigious annual event providing invaluable biological data along with reigniting an angling tradition which as a long and once prosperous benefit to Maine communities and small business owners.
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Your Friends at The Veazie Salmon Club!