compiled species assessments and developed strategic plans for the management 

 of the following inland fisheries: landlocked Atlantic salmon, brook trout, 

 lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, rainbow smelt, lake whitefish, chain 

 pickerel, white perch, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass (MDIFW 1976). 



The Commissioner of The Maine Department of Marine Resources has the authority 

 to "investigate conditions affecting marine resources" and to establish 

 regulations that "promote the conservation and propagation of marine organisms 

 within Maine's coastal waters." For jurisdictional purposes, coastal waters 

 are defined as "all waters of the State within the rise and fall of the tides 

 and within the marine limits of the jurisdiction of the State" (Marine 

 Resources Laws and Regulations, Revised to January, 1979). The Commissioner 

 authorizes research and administers and enforces all laws that apply to the 

 marine and estuarine resources of the State, with the exception of Atlantic 

 salmon, which is under the authority of the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon 

 Commission. 



Maine Department of Marine Resources conducts extensive biological research 

 programs that contribute to the development of comprehensive fish, wildlife, 

 and marine resource management recommendations. In particular, the MDMR has 

 published management recommendations for the alewife, American eel, and 

 striped bass resources, addressing the history, status, and future of these 

 fisheries (Walton 1976; Flagg 1976; and Ricker 1976). 



The creation of the Atlantic Sea Run Salmon Commission by the legislature in 

 1947 authorized the enhancement of an anadromous sport fishery in the State of 

 Maine. This agency evaluates, manages, and restores the fishery potentials of 

 individual watersheds. Studies and investigations include stocking programs 

 and population assessments. 



The Federal Government assumes certain responsibilities or tasks in the 

 management of many fishery resources because the migratory habits of certain 

 species make them both interstate and international resources. These 

 responsibilities are carried out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 

 and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) . Both FWS and NMFS have an 

 advisory role in the issuance of Federal permits for activities that may 

 affect fish habitat. 



Outside of waters on Federal lands, FWS has no management authority per se. 

 FWS maintains programs of fishery research with the States for coastal 

 anadromous fisheries and inland fisheries and reservoirs; it supports 

 Cooperative Fishery Research Units; and it maintains a separate program to 

 preserve, restore, and enhance endangered and threatened species. FWS also 

 maintains Federal fish hatcheries, which provide fishes for State stocking 

 programs . 



NMFS is concerned with many aspects of marine fisheries, ranging from resource 

 assessment to ultimate use by consumers. It is the lead research agency for 

 marine resources and fisheries outside the State's territorial waters and 

 maintains a commercial catch data base within its statistics and market news 

 division. The Resource Assessment Division of the Northeast Fisheries Center 

 of NMFS has completed stock assessment documents on the following commercially 

 important species: herring, white hake, cod, squid, northern shrimp, silver 



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