The DMR is responsible for managing Maine’s 12 diadromous species, including the maintenance of populations according to Maine’s laws, rules and regulations as laid out in Title 12 (Conservation), Part 9 (Marine Resources). BSRFH, through its parent department of Marine Resources, has the authority to create regulations that secure sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries under Maine Statue Title 12; Part 9; Subpart 1; Ch. 607; Subchapter 2.
DMR has created rules specific to the management of River Herring commercial fisheries (Ch.30), Eels and Elver fisheries (Ch. 32), Sturgeon (Ch. 39), Smelts (Ch. 40), Striped Bass (Ch. 42), American Shad (Ch. 49) and Atlantic Salmon and their look-alikes (Ch. 37).
DMR Licensing maintains a Commercial Pelagic and Anadromous Fishing License (Ch. 80) and a Saltwater Fishing Registry (Ch. 85). Guidance around fishing activities can be found in rules shared across DMR, including Gear Restrictions (Ch. 55), data sharing (Ch. 5), and importing organisms from out-of-state (Ch. 24).
Much of the work done by the bureau is meant to increase populations with the goal of establishing and maintaining fisheries. BSRFH publishes Resource Management Plans (Ch. 60) for watersheds under or planned for restoration.
Major Fisheries
Several sea-run fisheries are managed by DMR in compliance with fishery management plans established by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). ASMFC is a multi-state management organization comprised of all coastal Atlantic States (Maine to Florida) that agree to manage cross-border species within state waters (3-miles) together.
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Juvenile American eels, also known as elvers, are the most valuable sea-run fishery with harvesters earning between $1,000 and $2,000 per pound and the fishery netting between $10 and $20 Million in a given year. This fishery involves harvesting elvers as they migrate from spawning habitat in the southern Atlantic Ocean to rivers and streams in Maine. Elvers are primarily exported overseas where they are grown in aquaculture facilities to adult size and sold as food.
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River Herring (alewife and blueback herring) support commercial harvest for over 30 municipalities in Maine’s coastal towns providing local revenue and a source of lobster bait for local fisherman.
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Commercial fishing for smelt is permitted only in several rivers in Washington County, Maine, while the majority of recreational fishing occurs in smelt camps in the lower Kennebec estuary.
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Striped bass are the most popular sea-run fish species for recreational anglers and an important contributor to our state and regional tourism and recreation economy.
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Below are links to Maine regulations for sea-run fisheries and, where appropriate, links to ASMFC information and fishery management plans.
