The DMR regulates marine aquaculture operations, marine fisheries, and recreational boating and operates programs for research and monitoring of living marine resources. For salmon aquaculture, DMR issues permits for aquaculture sites, enforces the Aquaculture Lease Law, administers the Finfish Aquaculture Monitoring Program (FAMP), and monitors for toxic contaminants under and in net-pens. For fisheries, DMR issues fishing licenses, enforces saltwater fishing laws and regulations, and operates research and habitat conservation programs.

DMR bears the statutory responsibility, among others, to conduct and sponsor scientific research on marine resources, to conserve and develop the utilization of marine and estuarine resources, and to restore diadromous fish resources to the rivers of Maine; to protect public health by ensuring sanitation of shellfish harvesting areas, harvesting, processing, and distribution; and to provide education and outreach. The DMR’s Bureau of Marine Patrol enforces marine fisheries laws, boating registration laws, and safety laws, and conducts search and rescue operations on coastal waters. The DMR’s Bureau of Resource Management conducts research and monitoring programs to support efforts to conserve, restore and manage the marine and estuarine resources of the state.¹

Sources: DMR 2001, 2002; Fisk 2002

Several state statutes provide the DEP with the authority to govern a wide range of human activities, including hydropower and dams, natural resource protection, shoreline zoning, site development, erosion and sedimentation control, wastewater discharge, and others. The principal governance actions involve issuing permits and enforcing standards that apply to these activities. With respect to hydropower projects, the DEP, in cooperation with the Land Use Regulatory Commission (LURC), issues permits for the construction, reconstruction or the structural alteration of a hydropower project and enforces state laws concerning unapproved hydropower projects. With respect to salmon aquaculture, the DEP tests water for effluent quality from aquaculture sites and issues permits as

Front Matter (R1-R28)

Summary (1-15)

1 Introduction (16-22)

2 Salmon Life History and Ecology (23-46)

3 Threats to Atlantic Salmon in Maine (47-107)

4 Setting Priorities for Action (108-137)

5 Addressing the Threats to Atlantic Salmon in Maine (138-187)

6 Findings and Recommendations (188-194)

References (195-226)

Appendix A: Endangered Species Act Basics (227-232)

Appendix B: Governance (233-250)

Appendix C: Supportive Breeding, Effective Population Size, and Inbreeding (251-257)

Appendix D: Supportive Breeding and Risks to Genetic Quality (258-260)

Appendix E: Summary of the Committee's Interim Report (261-264)

Appendix F: Stocking Number, 1871-1995 (265-270)

Appendix G: Biographical Sketches of the Committee s Members (271-276)