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

Response to Comments and Suggested changes to the
Draft Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the Penobscot
River
7-2-09
Section 1
Comment: While hatcheries are an important short-term aspect of fishery restoration, in
the long run hatcheries are not the answer. An active effort is needed to restore the
fisheries, and short-term measureable results are needed to overcome the political
issues.
Response: DMR’s goal of restoring American shad to their historic abundance within a
50-year period is only possible with a stocking program. Adult returns in excess of
broodstock needed for the hatchery (1200 fish annually) will be allowed to migrate
upriver and spawn naturally. Safe and efficient shad passage at Milford, Howland, West
Enfield, and Mattaceunk (Weldon) is essential for natural expansion of this portion of the
population.
In order to meet the objectives of our long-term strategic plan for Atlantic salmon,
the role of hatcheries needs to be reduced or eliminated. However, given the timeframe
of the operational plan, we don’t foresee a reduction in our reliance on hatcheries. We
are trying to maximize the benefit of hatchery products, reduce sea-run broodstock
requirement in an effort to increase natural spawning.
The plan states under the Atlantic salmon introduction (p28) ”Pending
improvement in marine survival rates and freshwater production, hatchery
supplementation will continue to play a vital role in an integrated management
approach.” Hatcheries are an interim tool to maintain and possibly increase salmon
abundances. The term “interim” is used rather than “short-term”, because we have no
idea when and if marine survival will improve. It is accepted that low marine survival is
a major factor in the decline of Atlantic salmon in Maine. In order to increase
escapement we need to have more adult salmon returning or find ways to reduce
broodstock requirements. Strategies 12.2 and 12.3 (p31) relate to reducing sea-run
broodstock and thus increase escapement. The other strategies under objective 12
(p30) are an effort to increase natural spawning. Objective 13, strategies 13.1 and 13.2
(p31) recognize that by increasing the survival of hatchery products (either in the
hatchery of in the wild) broodstock requirements are reduced or adult returns increase.
Strategy 15.1 (p31) recognizes that increasing hatchery production to gain more returns
can offset low freshwater and marine survival. It must also be recognized that at some
point densities could become an issue; however, in is unlikely that our hatcheries could
produce enough salmon for that to become an issue. Thus, this operational plan
emphasizes using hatcheries and hatchery products as a means to increase adult
returns, spawning escapement and ultimately natural reproduction. At the same time
that we are trying to increase upstream escapement of adults salmon they must also be
able to reach quality spawning habitat. For example, if we increase spawning
escapement by 100 salmon, but they need to ascend 5 fishways that are 90% efficient,
the effective escapement is only 60 salmon. In some instance passage at some
facilities could be as low as 20% or even zero at times depending on flow conditions
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