Passamaquoddy elver violation cases dismissed
District attorneys in Hancock and Washington counties have dismissed charges against 24 members of the Passamaquoddy tribe who had been charged by the Maine Marine Patrol with unlicensed elver fishing.
The Bangor Daily News reported prosecutors in both counties said members of the tribe had been licensed by legitimate tribal authorities and were caught in a dispute between tribal officials and the state’s Department of Marine Resources. That conflict stemmed from a law imposing a 200-license limit on the tribe, which had issued 575 licenses to its members during the last 10-week elver season. The conflict comes as prices for elvers have skyrocketed for periods in the last two years to more than $2,000 per pound and as the state works to comply with catch reductions that will be required next season by a directive from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Despite dismissal of the cases, DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher told the paper that he will ask Attorney General Janet Mills’ office to pursue the charges instead of county prosecutors.
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