RE: Update on Maine’s American Eel Life Cycle Survey Proposal

Addendum IV to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for American Eel requires that any state or jurisdiction with a commercial glass eel fishery must implement a fishery-independent life cycle survey covering glass, yellow, and silver eel life stages within at least one river system. In June 2015, Maine had proposed a three-year survey on glass, yellow, and silver eel life stages in the Cobboseecontee Stream drainage. However, the Technical Committee (TC) expressed concern about the use and applicability of that survey design for science and management. The TC recommended further development of Maine’s life cycle survey design prior to implementation, and re-established a subcommittee to help address concerns with the survey design that were expressed by the TC. Since the August Board meeting, the subcommittee worked with Maine to refine the proposed survey design that would meet the study objectives for this particular river system. The updated Life Cycle Survey proposal for Maine is enclosed. The recommended duration of the Life Cycle Survey is at least 17 years, representing one life cycle. The TC commended the subcommittee for the work on the survey design, and endorsed its implementation noting a few comments below to consider: 1.) Explore mechanisms to eliminate poaching of glass eels at the fyke net sampling site. 2.) Cannibalism of elvers on glass eels in the fyke net may be an issue and should be monitored i