DRESDEN

The American eel population is depleted in U.S. waters, according to federal regulators — threatening one of the last lucrative Maine fisheries.

The Atlantic States Marine Fishing Commission says overfishing is among the causes, and it’s proposing new rules to curb eel harvesting.

What the Virginia-based commission decides could have a seismic effect on Maine fishermen, many of whom have weathered new catch rules for groundfish and a bottomedout market for lobster by harvesting baby eels known as elvers.

Licensed Maine fishermen caught $38 million worth of elvers in 2012 — breaking the previous record by more than $30 million.

Elver fishermen earned

$185 per pound in 2010 — a figure that jumped to nearly

$900 in 2011.

Asian markets are currently paying $1,500 to $2,000 a pound for elvers, but the 557 licensed fishermen in the state, including 150 from American Indian tribes, are concerned the commission could close down the state’s elvers fishery.

The newly-formed Maine Elver Fishermen’s Association, based in Dresden, is organizing a public relations blitz to prevent that from happening.

On May 21, the American Eel Management Board will meet in Alexandria, Va., to discuss regulating the eel fishery with new rules refered to as Addendum III.

The board is due to vote on a policy May 23.

Dresden group

Jeffrey Pierce of Dresden, executive director of the Maine Elvers Fishermen’s Association, will be there.

“Isn’t it great, that Maine’s being managed out of Alexandria, Va.?” Pierce said. “Addendum III could possibly close Maine’s elver fishing.”

But the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission takes the position that fish “do not adhere to political boundaries.”

Formed by the 15 Atlantic coast states in 1942, the commission coordinates the conservation and management of the states’ fishery resources — marine, shell and anadromous — for sustainable use.

The Maine Legislature passed an emergency bill requiring all sales of the juvenile eels to be paid for with checks, to help crack down on illegal sales.

Under the bill, which is on the governor’s desk, fishermen selling to dealers also would have to show their licenses and a photo ID.

Elver rush

Current prices have fishermen competing for space on Maine waterways, and testing the law.

On April 9, the Maine Marine Patrol summonsed a Rockland man on a charge of illegal possession of 11 pounds of elvers valued at $22,100. The summons was issued by Maine Marine Patrol Sgt. Robert Beal, who was conducting surveillance at the York toll booth.

There’s a lot riding here.

Pierce, himself not an elvers fisherman, said the state Department of Marine Resources has been a great partner in getting information to the public.

Pierce spoke just prior to hitting the road to Ellsworth, for one of two three-hour meetings on Tuesday (the other was in Machias). A third meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Log Cabin meeting house in Yarmouth.

Organized less than a month ago, Maine Elvers Fishermen’s Association has ground to cover, and quickly.

Including 18 days off, the Maine elvers season is March 22 through May 3.

The commission vote that could affect the 2014 season comes just three weeks later.

“We haven’t been at the table,” Pierce said. “This year’s fishing will be allowed to finish. We’re hoping to stay status quo.

“This state has a history of good fisheries practices. I’m sure there’s some environmentalists who would like to see this fishery close, but some of them would like to see every fishery close.”

Watery journey

The American eel spawns in the ocean and migrates to fresh water to grow to adult size — a process that takes about two decades, Pierce said.

As adult eels mature, they leave the brackish and fresh water growing areas in the fall, migrate to the Sargasso Sea — a large area of the western North Atlantic east of the Bahamas and south of Bermuda — and spawn during late winter.

“Tides carry the baby eels back to the coastlines,” Pierce said. “This time of year, they’re about three inches long. Three to four inches is the desired size.

“The Asians put them in their rice paddies and ponds. They train them to eat anything — they use them for pest control. They raise them to 31/2 to four feet for meat eels. They’re sustinance food.”

Pierce said the market for elvers stood at about $300 a pound in the 1970s, then fell off as Asian ponds became well-stocked.

The market spiked dramatically, however, after tsunamis in Thailand and an earthquake that destroyed a nuclear power plant in Japan.

“They don’t want irradiated eels,” Pierce explained. “That’s what set the record price last year. That and the warm spring that brought the fishery to life.”

Local interest

The fisheries association conducted its first meeting last Saturday in Warren, with 62 in attendance.

Pierce carries around with him an 86-page summary of Addendum III.

“The stock is considered depleted,” he said, “but no overfishing determination can be made.

“Old-timers don’t think it’s depleted. You can’t use the middle of the stream, only the edges. I can tell you that the Maine Elvers Fisheries Association is committed to conservation and the sustainability of the fishery.”

Pierce said he would like to see each Atlantic state write its own interpretation to Addendum III.

On April 30, Mainers have their chance to weigh in.

Jeff Nichols, communications director for the state Department of Marine Resources, said Tuesday the agency has not taken a position on Addendum III.

“The public hearing will determine much,” Nichols said.

lgrard@timesrecord.com

EEL HEARING

Atlantic coastal states from Maine to Georgia have scheduled hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum III to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American eels. The state Department of Marine Resources has scheduled

Maine’s hearing for April 30, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Augusta

State Armory. Contact Terry Stockwell at 624-6553 for further information.