Atlantic Salmon in Maine

• ISBN13: 9780309091350
• ISBN10: 0309091357
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-30
• Publisher: Natl Academy Pr

Summary

Because of the pervasive and substantial decline of Atlantic salmon populations in Maine over the past 150 years, and because they are close to extinction, a comprehensive statewide action should be taken now to ensure their survival. The populations of Atlantic salmon have declined drastically, from an estimated half million adult salmon returning to U.S. rivers each year in the early 1800s to perhaps as few as 1,000 in 2001. The report recommends implementing a formalized decision-making approach to establish priorities, evaluate options and coordinate plans for conserving and restoring the salmon.

Table of Contents

Summary	1	(15)
Introduction	16	(7)
Background	16	(4)
The Listing of Salmon under the Endangered Species Act	20	(1)
The Present Study and Report Organization	21	(2)
Salmon Life History and Ecology	23	(24)
Introduction	23	(7)
Salmon Life History	30	(8)
Physiology	38	(4)
Aquatic Environments	42	(1)
Climate Change	43	(4)
Threats to Atlantic Salmon in Maine	47	(61)
Introduction	47	(3)
A History of Threats to Atlantic Salmon in Maine	50	(3)
Natural Predation and Competition	53	(3)
Aboriginal, Commercial, and Recreational Salmon Fisheries in Maine	56	(5)
Forestry, Farming, and Freshwater Habitat Quality	61	(9)
Dams	70	(5)
Hazards of Chemical Contaminants in Rivers and Streams	75	(2)
Hatcheries	77	(4)
Aquaculture	81	(9)
Acidification of Streams and Related Problems	90	(2)
Research and Monitoring	92	(1)
Governance	92	(16)
Setting Priorities for Action	108	(30)
Risk Assessment and Decision Analysis Basics	108	(30)
Addressing the Threats to Atlantic Salmon in Maine	138	(50)
A Strategy for Conservation and Restoration	138	(1)
Dams	139	(1)
Hatcheries	139	(24)
Aquaculture	163	(4)
Fishing	167	(2)
Mortality of Salmon in Estuaries and the Ocean	169	(1)
Research and Monitoring	169	(1)
Governance	170	(3)
Additional Conservation Options with Multiple Environmental Benefits	173	(10)
Costs of Options	183	(5)
Findings and Recommendations	188	(7)
Findings	188	(3)
Recommendations	191	(4)
References	195	(32)
Appendix A Endangered Species Act Basics	227	(6)
Appendix B Governance	233	(18)
Appendix C Supportive Breeding, Effective Population Size, and Inbreeding	251	(7)
Appendix D Supportive Breeding and Risks to Genetic Quality	258	(3)
Appendix E Summary of Committee's Interim Report	261	(4)
Appendix F Stocking Numbers, 1871--1995	265	(6)
Appendix G Biographical Sketches of the Committee's Members	271