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

Comment: Plan often uses the terms self-sustaining and sustainable without a clear
definition
Response: We will replace the term “sustainable” with the term “self-sustaining”
throughout the document for clarity and consistency. We will insert this definition for
self-sustaining: “A population that exists in sufficient numbers to replace itself through
time without supplementation with hatchery fish. It does not necessarily produce surplus
fish for harvest. Self-sustaining diadromous populations spawn in the wild, and migrate
to and from the ocean with a minimum of human interference.”
Target population levels meet the definition of self-sustaining based on empirical
experience, theory, and modeling. We used these information sources as available to
establish target population levels. Where target populations levels are specified, we
believe these levels will result in self-sustaining populations. However, establishing
self-sustaining population levels a priori has been one of the greatest challenges of
conservation biology, and we do not propose to solve this challenge in this plan. The
levels set are our best estimate of what will be needed to achieve self-sustaining status.
To move beyond this, involved population dynamics modeling, such as PVA, would be
required to estimate the probability of achieving self-sustaining status under various
scenarios. However, such modeling is only as good as the assumptions and data used
to build the model(s).
Others:
Comment: What happens when alewives are leaving - will it impact bait seiners?
Response: We asked the IFW regional offices for information. Region A didn’t recall
any complaints but suspects the bait dealers may have simply learned to avoid the
situation. Region B had a complaint about anadromous alewives migrating the fall in the
Sebasticook River. Region C is not aware of dealers who spend any time seining for
bait when the juvenile alewives are on the shore.
Comment: What fishing regulations might be put in place below Milford Dam when it is
the first dam on the river?
Response: The same 150 foot closure below the fishway (already in place) will remain
and the closure below the Veazie Dam will be revisited.
Comment: The placement of size limits in Schoodic for LLS is a concern.
Response: This question has less to do with the diadromous fish plan and more to do
with the Atlantic salmon ESA listing, and potential impacts to recreational fishing. MIFW
manages Schoodic Lake as a trophy landlocked salmon water, and plans to do so in the
future. The 25-inch maximum length limit for landlocked salmon that is in place for the
Downeast salmon rivers as well as the mainstem Penobscot River that protects 2SW
sea-run Atlantic salmon in areas where incidental take may occur, would severely
hamper the trophy landlocked salmon program at Schoodic Lake. Currently DMR does
not place a high value on Schoodic Lake nor its’ tributaries with regard to sea-run
Atlantic salmon production.
PRFP Page 352