PEMBROKE, Maine (AP) - Leaders of a Maine American Indian tribe say they will keep allowing members to use certain kinds of fishing gear to catch elvers despite an emergency rule issued by the state.
State Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher issued the emergency restrictions last week. He says elver fishermen are prohibited from using fyke (FIKE) nets other than those that are used in commercial fishing and subject to daily reporting requirements. Keliher says the state is issuing the rule based on information from the Passamaquoddy American Indian tribe that it is issuing “sustenance licenses” that allow fyke net use.
WCSH-TV (https://on.wcsh6.com/1RB2Mq9 ) reports Tuesday tribe Vice Chief Vera Francis said “sustenance is about maintaining cultural lifeways.” Keliher has said the use of fyke nets risks increasing unreported catch of the valuable baby eels.
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