On April 3, the Maine Marine Patrol issued a summons to Phillip Parker of Candia, New Hampshire in the largest case of illegal possession of elvers in the history of the fishery. It is alleged the New Hampshire man intended to sell 41 pounds of elvers without a Maine elver-harvesting license.
“This case underscores the importance of strong laws protecting our natural resources,” said Maine Governor Paul R. LePage. “Maine’s natural resources have great value for our state, and for law-abiding license holders, their families, and the communities they live in.”
The elver fishery is one of three distinct fisheries for American eels (Anguilla rostrata) in Maine. Elvers, also called glass eels, are young American eels that return to rivers from their ocean spawning grounds. Elvers, based on intense market demand, have become the most valuable marine resource in Maine in terms of price per pound (between $25 to $350). Last year the elver fishery was Maine’s second most valuable fishery behind lobster.
Read the full story on the Maine Department of Marine Resources website.
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