Aquaculture facilities raising Atlantic salmon in net pens are located within 20 km of the mouths 

 of five of the rivers within the DPS. Atlantic salmon that have escaped from aquaculture pens 

 are known to have entered some of these rivers. The escape offish from Atlantic salmon 

 aquaculture operations could pose a threat to the genetic integrity of Atlantic salmon within the 

 DPS. In addition, concentrations of aquaculture salmon could increase the vulnerability of wild 

 stocks to disease. 



Scientific evidence suggests that low natural survival in the marine environment is a major factor 

 contributing to the decline of Atlantic salmon throughout North America. It appears that survival 

 of the North American stock complex of Atlantic salmon is at least partly explained by sea 

 surface water temperature, during the period when Atlantic salmon are concentrated in winter 

 months in habitat at the mouth of the Labrador Sea and east of Greenland. 



NMFS and USFWS outlined the above factors for decline in a Status Review prepared to support 

 the proposed rule. The proposed rule contained a special provision pursuant to section 4(d) of 

 the ESA to invite the State of Maine to prepare a Conservation Plan for Atlantic salmon and 

 therefore remain as the lead manager of the species. In order to draft that Conservation Plan, the 

 Governor of Maine convened a Task Force composed of state agency representatives, private 

 industry, conservation groups, and concerned stakeholders. That Conservation Plan, which is 

 currently in draft form, contains a number of actions and measures to reduce any potential impact 

 to Atlantic salmon from recreational fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry. 



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