Recently, there have been a number of concerns swirling about regarding a possible federal listing of the Atlantic Salmon as an endangered species. Predictably, in a state that prides itself on its outdoor heritage, this threat has generated a great deal of emotion and controversy. Before we as a state succumb to emotional outbursts, we should objectively look at the problem, identify what has worked, and strive to correct what has not worked.

Unfortunately our state has been a poor steward of this ecologically fragile species. On many rivers, we have constructed dams and generated pollution, which made it very difficult for the salmon to reach their historic spawning grounds. For the few fish that did make it through, there was severe spoilage of the environment needed for successful spawning and for nursery habitat.

While we did much to harm this precious resource, and nearly brought about its extinction, we began to realize that changes had to be made and a sincere effort was put forth to restore the Atlantic salmon within the last 35 years. A tremendous amount of work and millions of dollars have since gone into restoration efforts. The Penobscot River was made a national model for this change, a testament to a new way of stewardship. Maine’s Sen. Edmund Muskie led the fight for the Clean Water Act of 1968 that signaled a new way of doing business. Drastic reductions in wastewater discharge, initially more than $100 million spent to start the clean up of the river, and millions more spent to maintain this progress signaled a new direction. A new fish hatchery program was also started to encourage people to once again return to the river for a recreational base.

It is believed that the more the people use the river, the more they will appreciate the river, then the more they will protect the river, and they will then prevent any lapsing back to earlier mistakes.

Despite all these efforts, it has long been recognized that there are too many dams and too much remaining habitat damage to bring about the immediate restoration of a naturally occurring wild Atlantic salmon run on the Penobscot and other so-called restoration rivers. We realized that we could not achieve a naturally occurring run so we established a hatchery supported artificial run to provide a recreational sports fishery with its resulting economic, social, and recreational benefits.

The economic benefits are substantial. The last in-depth study, a 1994 federal study, identified recreational fishing on the Penobscot as being over 20,000 user days during the salmon season. With conservative economic multipliers, the resultant economic benefit to the region is over $14 million per year. This is money spent directly in hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores, and campgrounds, which then filters out to the entire economy.

The hatchery program has been successful in maintaining a viable salmon fishery. Because of this success, and due to the dedication of the hatcheries, the Penobscot is not planned for listing on the Federal endangered species list, nor are the St. Croix or Saco rivers.

We unfortunately have a situation now where our own Atlantic Salmon Commission (ASC) has responded to the federal threat by bringing forward a plan that would close all Maine rivers to a catch and release angling season regardless of whether they are hatchery supported or natural river runs. This position is wrong. In fact two of the three members on the ASC have no background with Atlantic salmon, and these two voted against the testimony of over 90 percent of participants at public hearings discussing a catch and release fishing season on restoration rivers such as the Penobscot. A third commissioner who does have some Atlantic Salmon experience has since been confirmed and he has stated publicly that he would have opposed the restrictions on Maine’s hatchery supported rivers.

The many grass-roots organizations involved in recreational fishing support a catch and release season on these three rivers. While a scientific argument can be made that closing the Down East wild run rivers (the Dennys, East Machias, Machias, Narraguagus and Pleasant) and also the Ducktrap, Sheepscot and the lower Kennebec for a period of intense habitat restoration and management, there has been no scientific argument presented to close the Penobscot, St. Croix or Saco. Those who have worked so hard and so long to bring these rivers back to life deserve the opportunity to fish these waters and in so doing contribute to our economy and maintain a Maine sporting tradition famous worldwide.

Some have said that allowing a catch and release season would send the wrong message to the federal government. I would argue that there is no such message being sent. The Penobscot has become a hatchery river, and unlike the wild run rivers, it is productive. The ASC has responded to a perceived federal threat with an overly restrictive, broad, and myopic ban.

The ASC would be wise to focus its efforts on the rivers that need the most help, and work with, not against, any federal effort. If this state agency would cooperate with their federal counterparts, they could utilize the federal resources available, and then articulate, establish, and succeed with a Maine led program. If we want to send a message, we should simply say that the citizens of Maine have the common sense to figure right from wrong, that we can develop a salmon management plan that protects the species, maintains public interest and protects economic activity. The ultimate success of the plan depends on recreational user activity, as well as stringent and wise conservation efforts, coupled with Federal financial and technical assistance.

Richard Ruhlin, a Democrat, is a state senator from Brewer.