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July 27, 2010

George Smith, take the gloves off

George Smith's (July 7) comment that the state turns out "beautiful hatchery fish" is a bit misleading.

Both the Maine strain brookies and New Gloucester browns are in big trouble. Regarding the browns, the DIF&W's own document states "studies indicated low genetic variability, due to severe inbreeding. It is possible that this finding may be related to poor survival of stocked brown trout."

A study by the University of Montana in 1999 stated "The data strongly indicates that the New Gloucester brown trout have unusually low levels of genetic variation" -- scientific nice-nice for inbred.

They add, "We believe the main reason New Gloucester brown trout have unusually low levels of genetic variation is mainly a consequence of how it has been maintained" -- the DIF&W was replenishing their broodstock from waters they stocked.

It is only logical to assume this is what caused the crash of high-value brown trout fisheries on the Kennebec at Shawmut, Madison and Solon and the Androscoggin in Bethel. After a decade of inaction, the DIF&W recently took steps to address this by buying new fish from Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Unfortunately, Madison, Solon and the Andro will not get these fish for a "few years" while they "study" it. The studies are flawed due to the lack of fin-clippings, inconsistent numbers and mixed age classes -- I am not sure what if anything, they will learn.

Some also believe the landlocked salmon are in trouble, including members of Smith's Fishing Initiative Committee. I hope this is not what the post-SAM Smith is going to be like. The last thing Maine needs is another denier, apologist or propagandist. Personally, I was hoping Smith would take the gloves off and really fight, now that he is free to do so.

Bob Mallard

Skowhegan

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