As biological indicators, fish are useful in helping to predict, solve, and 

 avoid many ecological problems. Insight into the general effects of toxic 

 substances can be determined through bioassay and bioaccumulation studies on 

 fishes. Their utility as indicators, however, has intrinsic problems. 

 Because of their mobility, the strict presence or absence of a particular fish 

 species is not always a reliable indication of the quality of the local 

 habitat. Too little is known about seasonal and long-term natural cycles and 

 their influence on fish populations to determine definite cause and effect 

 relationships. The impact of an acute perturbation, such as an oil spill or 

 massive dissolved oxygen sag, may be clear but a particular fish's response to 

 a chronic perturbation may not be evident for a long time, if at all. A less 

 mobile, low-level consumer organism, such as a benthic invertebrate (e.g., 

 mussel, clam, and oyster) is, in most cases, a better indicator of habitat 

 "quality". 



MANAGEMENT 



Although it is beyond the scope of this characterization to make management 

 recommendations for the fisheries of the Maine coast, this section is intended 

 to introduce the reader to existing management authorities and to describe 

 current management plans. A detailed account of the regulatory processes 

 (Federal and State) and emerging management technologies associated with 

 marine resource conservation was prepared by Chenoweth (1977). 



The following agencies contribute to the development of management policy for 

 the various fisheries in the Maine coastal zone: 



1. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) 



2. Maine Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) 



3. New England Regional Fisheries Management Council 



4. Maine State Legislature 



5. Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission 



6. National Marine Fisheries Service 



7. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 



The authority of the State of Maine over its fishery resources extends outward 

 to 3 miles from the coast. Within this boundary the Maine Legislature has 

 authority to initiate management policy through legislation. Policies are 

 adopted through legislative action upon recommendations from resource agencies 

 (MDIFW and MDMR), the fishing industry, sportsmen's groups, environmental 

 groups, and others. 



The Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife 

 authorizes research and establishes management regulations for the freshwater 

 fisheries and wildlife resources within the State. The MDIFW sponsors 

 statewide biological surveys of the lakes, rivers, and streams. They describe 

 the major problems associated with the management of freshwater and anadromous 

 fisheries in the major stream systems. These reports discuss the history, 

 status, and potential of the major fisheries and evaluate specific management 

 alternatives. MDIFW and the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission are currently 

 preparing updates on those original biological surveys, addressing fish 

 restoration and management in major stream systems. Recently the MDIFW, 

 taking the initiative in planning for Maine's fish and wildlife resources, has 



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