The Department of Marine Resources has issued an emergency rule, effective from 12 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 – 12 p.m. Saturday, March 22, that will make it illegal to set or maintain any net in any tidal river, brook or stream or other watercourse or any territorial waters of the state of Maine.
According to a posting at the DMR website, Chapter 55.07 is a seasonal net restriction that was made “in order to conserve marine, estuarine, and diadromous species including, but not limited to: rainbow smelt, Atlantic tomcod, sea-run brook trout, winter flounder, and American eel greater than six inches.”
“Most of these species once supported important commercial or recreational fisheries in Maine,” the rule states.
The numbers of rainbow smelt and American eel have declined to historically low levels and the population status of Atlantic tomcod and sea-run brook trout is unknown. In 2004, rainbow smelt was designated as a species of concern by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
According to Marine Patrol Maj. Alan Talbot, the rule was crafted out of concern that nets set during winter months may possibly prevent free passage of fish in brooks, rivers and streams.
Penalties for setting nets during prohibited periods range from $100-500, Talbot said Jan. 31.
According to the DMR posting, there will be little or no fiscal impact to commercial or recreational fishermen due to this emergency rule.
The season for the elver fishery will begin at noon on Saturday, March 22.
For more information, call the Department of Marine Resources at 624-6349 or write by email to dmr.rulemaking@maine.gov.