AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine fisheries officials are seeking comments on a proposed rule that would require elver fishermen to record their sales to dealers on a swipe card to provide regulators more accurate and timely information on the elver catch.

Elvers have come under scrutiny since prices escalated to $2,000 and more per pound for the baby eels, which are caught in Maine rivers and exported to Asia for use as seed stock in aquaculture facilities.

Besides mandating the use of swipe cards, the rule would also require dealers to report their transactions electronically to the state on a weekly basis.

Public comments will be taken until Dec. 2. Public hearings are scheduled in Yarmouth on Nov. 18 and in Ellsworth on Nov. 19.

Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under:
elver, Maine
Related Stories
Latest Articles