For further information,                    FOR RELEASE
Contact:  Scott Smullen (NMFS)              Dec. 15, 1997                                                         
Diana Weaver (FWS)
Dennis Bailey (state) 

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that they are withdrawing a proposal to protect Atlantic salmon in seven Maine rivers under the federal Endangered Species Act. Instead, the fish will be protected by a cooperative recovery effort spearheaded by the State of Maine.

Officials emphasized that the recovery of Atlantic salmon stocks depends on full implementation and monitoring of Maine's newly developed Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan.

"We are unlocking the full potential of rivers in Maine and opening a new chapter in conservation history," said Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt. "The Governor showed great leadership in forging this collaboration, which will enhance the ecology and economy of the state for years to come. These seven rivers will continue to attract more anglers, boaters and other sportsmen who will help grow and sustain new jobs and revenue as the rivers continue to stand as a model for the nation."

"This plan, which was developed by a state-appointed task force with input and advice from federal fisheries scientists, is an innovative effort to resolve the real world conflicts that occur when preserving a species clearly means rethinking traditional uses of a river," said Terry Garcia, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Deputy Administrator. "Our decision to protect salmon through this plan rather than through a listing under the Endangered Species Act highlights the ESA's flexibility and our willingness to consider state-designed plans."

The decision to withdraw the proposal for Endangered Species Act protection for Atlantic salmon has gone to the Federal Register and will be published within a few days.

The cooperative recovery effort includes state, federal and private programs and is only the second of its kind in the nation approved for a fish species. It includes continuing broodstock development and stocking of Atlantic salmon in rivers, upland habitat improvement, construction of fish weirs on some of the rivers, changes in both aquaculture and agriculture operations to reduce their threats to salmon survival, and continuing monitoring and research programs to evaluate and improve progress.

The centerpiece of the protection effort is the state-designed plan that addresses the potential impacts of aquaculture, forestry, recreational fishing, and a wide range of agricultural activities. The plan was developed during the last two years by a task force of scientists, academics, state employees, Native American sustenance fishers, conservationists, anglers and private citizens, all appointed by Maine Governor Angus King.

The state plan was accepted jointly by the two federal agencies responsible for recovering threatened and endangered marine and freshwater fish. Both agencies are involved because Atlantic salmon spend their early life in fresh water, mature at sea, and then return to spawn in the freshwater stream or river where they were born.

The seven Maine rivers are the Dennys, Machias, Narraguagus, Pleasant, Ducktrap and Sheepscot. Both federal agencies will continue to gather scientific information on salmon populations in other New England rivers, including Maine's Tunk Stream and the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers.

Both Services will jointly conduct yearly reviews of the appropriateness of further Endangered Species Act protection for the salmon. These annual reviews will take into account progress on the state's plan, monitoring results, the status of other state and federal protective efforts, and updated biological information.