Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the ...

populations. Although each member state developed a unique plan, common goals,
objectives, and strategies were evident. With respect to invasive species concerns,
commonalities among state plans for the EBTJV Conservation Strategy is summed
by:
• Prevent the spread of invasive species into brook trout habitat.
a. Develop EBTJV-produced educational pamphlets that highlight
state-level, regional, and range-wide threats from invasive species.
Update annually.
b. Develop lists of invasives with state or federal agencies responsible
for permitting aquaculture operators or distributors.
c. Eradicate invasive species from brook trout habitat where feasible.
(EBTJV 2008)
Maine’s Plan for the EBTJV
The Joint Venture is comprised of 17 states within the historical range of brook trout
in the eastern United States. Each state was asked to produce a state-level brook
trout conservation plan consistent with the vision of the EBTJV framed around the
five key priorities. Maine’s Plan was drafted in 2006 and accepted by the EBTJV
Conservation Strategy/Habitat Subcommittee that same year.
Maine’s wild brook trout populations are concentrated in the interior highlands of the
state, such as the Piscataquis River drainage. In 2005, the EBTJV status
assessment found that Maine possessed almost 150 subwatersheds containing
intact stream-dwelling brook trout populations. Survey efforts since then have
documented approximately 200 additional subwatersheds with intact stream dwelling
brook trout populations and 55% (18/33) of the Piscataquis River’s subwatersheds
maintain healthy wild brook trout populations (Figure 1). Intact brook trout
populations in lakes are confined exclusively to the northern states of Maine, New
Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. In Maine, brook trout lakes in 323
subwatersheds have severely reduced status.
Maine identified invasive species issues as serious concerns for both lentic and lotic
populations of brook trout (Hudy et al. 2005). Hence, strategies for mitigating the
effects of invasive species are featured prominently in Maine’s Plan for the
Conservation Strategy of the EBTJV (EBTJV 2008) and are listed below.
PRIORITY 1: Assessment
1.3 Maximize the contribution of wild brook trout stocks to the fishery.
Strategy 1.3.5. Prevent, eradicate or control the detrimental effects caused by
the intrusion of non-native aquatic species into brook trout habitats.
PRIORITY 2: Habitat Protection
2.1 Identify degraded stream habitats and prioritize sites for restoration efforts
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