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W«t«twM^.Mb«>iM-«er ASSOCIATION l^**»«.»£/h<»«w 



Dr. Nancy Foster July 14, 1993 



Acting Assistant Administrator 

 National Marin* Fisheries Service 

 1335 Eaat-West Highway 

 Silver Spring, MD 20910 



Dear Dr. Foster: 



In behalf of the Maine Aquaculture, Association (MAA), I am 

 writing to ask you to assist Eastern Maine's salmon netpen industry 

 as it attempts to respond to a serious harbor and gray seal 

 predation problem that is taking a significant, annual economic 

 toll. 



As the attached article from the May 17, 1993 Bangor Dallv 

 News explains, "salmon farming has had a profound (economic) effect 

 on (this) area". This year, the MAA's finfish committee has 

 identified reducing the economic impact of seal predation as its 

 first priority. 



During the winter months of the past two or three years, 

 Maine's $50 million salmon netpen industry has experienced losses 

 from seal predation that are estimated to be as high as $5 million 

 each year. Now that the presence of the industry has stabilized 

 in Eastern Maine, seal predation Incidences are increasing. 

 Efforts are already underway in this state to attempt to grow both 

 halibut and cod in marine waters. As the marine finfish 

 aquaculture industry in this region grows, we can expect these 

 predatory attacks to become an even greater problem. 



Recently, funds have been made available from the state- 

 supported Maine Aquaculture innovation Center (MA1C) to assist 

 growers In addressing the situation. 



On April 15, a portion of these funds were used when Maine's 

 salmon aquaculture industry held a Predator Control Seminar in 

 Eastport, Maine. In addition to Maine participants, individuals 

 from British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, Canada 

 shared their knowledge of harbor and grey seal behavior and 

 discussed non-lethal means of deterring seal predation occurring 

 around marir.e finfish aquaculture facilities. 



J« (Mfny Drill • Bw 4 • Onm, Mtlni Mil • Tdtphent: 107/ Ut-0ltl • tei 207/ U6-0J66 / 



founded m 1977. the Mo<n» Acuocutur* Association A a coaltlon ofaquatarmi. supply tlimt. and, 

 trmnai of aauacuitum. dtdtcdttd to promoting industry growth through coordinated octMties and public mducatton. 



