Under pressure from a lawsuit filed by enviros, the federal government has agreed to make a decision by Nov. 17 on whether to list Atlantic salmon in Maine rivers as endangered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been dithering over the question, though Atlantic salmon populations have been in severe decline for years. In 1999, only some 30 wild salmon returned to seven Maine rivers. Some Maine residents say an endangered listing would cause serious economic harm in the state by spurring new restrictions on aquaculture, farming, and other activities. But enviros say fast action is needed if there’s to be any chance of saving the species.
