Resolve, Regarding the Management of Maine's Brook Trout and Landlocked Salmon Resources

Preamble. Whereas,  this State has nearly 600 wild and native brook trout lakes and ponds, which is 96% of the brook trout lakes in the entire nation; and

Whereas,  this State has over 175 landlocked salmon waters, the largest number in the country; and

Whereas,  the more we know about these cold-water species, the more we can work towards goals to strengthen their place in our heritage and economic livelihood; and

Whereas,  unlike in the past, very few older landlocked salmon of hatchery origin are being seen, and the State does not have a statewide policy to address this issue; and

Whereas,  it is important to minimize the negative impact of species that compete with brook trout and landlocked salmon in our waters and to develop a cohesive and well-planned agenda for improving our stock of landlocked salmon and wild and native brook trout; and

Whereas,  it is important for the State, through the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, to establish policies and promote practices that recognize the unique and lasting value of Maine's landlocked salmon and brook trout and will enhance the prominence of those fish; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Brook trout and landlocked salmon; protection. Resolved: That the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall examine the following issues and recommend policies and develop a statewide plan to address them:

1. The State's potential to increase and attain greater economic benefit from the State's landlocked salmon and wild and native brook trout populations;

2. The effects of competition with other fish species, including competition resulting from stocking activity, on the State's populations of landlocked salmon and wild and native brook trout; and

3. The reduction in the number of older landlocked salmon from hatcheries; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report findings. Resolved: That the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife shall submit a report by January 15, 2014 to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife that includes suggested legislation implementing the policies and statewide plan under section 1. The Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is authorized to submit a bill relating to the report to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to examine certain issues with respect to the current status of brook trout and landlocked salmon in the State and recommend policies and develop a statewide plan to address these issues. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is required to report by January 15, 2014 to the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife with suggested legislation, and the Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is authorized to submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.