The proposed ban on fishing with soft-plastic baits in Maine is no longer before the state’s legislature, the American Sportfishing Association announced today in a press release.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife presented its report regarding the use of soft baits in Maine’s waters to the legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife on Tuesday. The final conclusion: “…the Department does not recommend any legislation at this time.”
The department did make a number of recommendations to enhance its angler education programs by involving anglers, angler organizations and the sportfishing industry. These enhancements are intended to minimize the loss and improve the proper disposal of soft baits in state waters by anglers.
In 2013, Maine’s legislature considered two bills: one to ban soft baits and another to mandate degradable hooks for recreational fishing in Maine. After a hearing in February 2013, and thousands of comments in opposition to the bills, the legislature directed the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife “…to study effects of artificial fishing lures made of rubber and soft plastic and non-biodegradable hooks for fishing.” The 17-page report described the department’s findings and methods.
From a scientific point-of-view, overall the report indicated a low rate of soft baits found in the digestive system of fish surveyed between 1985 and 2013, ranging from a low of 0.4 percent to a high of 5.2 percent of fish sampled, depending on the survey method.
“We are pleased with the department’s recommendation of no legislative action and with many of the recommendations to enhance angler education about soft baits and the proper use and disposal of all baits,” said ASA VP Gordon Robertson. “Knowing the science of the actual impacts of the use of soft baits, the department’s decision was the correct one.
"In addition, we concur with many of the recommendations concerning angler education and we stand ready to work with the department along with anglers and angler groups to reduce the loss of soft-plastic baits used in recreational fishing.”
