November 14, 2000
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
PORTLAND, Maine -- The U.S. government on Monday listed the wild
Atlantic salmon as endangered on eight Maine rivers, saying the
species is in danger of extinction as numbers dwindled despite the
state's conservation plan.
The Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries
Service said wild salmon numbers are at an all-time low: They
estimate that only about 300 mature wild salmon returned last year
to the eight rivers targeted for protection.
The government rejected the state's request for a six-month delay
so the National Academy of Sciences could complete an independent
study.
With wild salmon on the ``brink of extinction,'' the government had
to act, said Penny Dalton, administrator of the fisheries service.
Gov. Angus King accused the government of relying on bad science
for a proposal that could harm fisheries and other businesses in
one of the most economically depressed parts of the state.
``I think it's probably the end of the aquaculture industry in
Maine,'' he said.
Salmon farmers could face new regulations because non-native fish
that escape from pens can mate with wild salmon, introducing
diseases and diluting the wild salmon's genetic makeup. Blueberry
farmers also fear the endangered species designation could lead to
new limits on water withdrawals and pesticides.
The governor has denied that he was pressured by economic interests
in opposing the federal action. He insisted he would support an
endangered species listing if he believed there was a scientific
basis for it.
Throughout the debate, King contended a state conservation plan put
into place three years ago needed more time to show results.
The National Academy of Sciences study is being financed by
$500,000 secured by Maine's congressional delegation. It's unclear
how long the study will take.
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