Comment from Chris Uraneck

To whom it may concern, I am writing in regards to the proposed listing of Atlantic sturgeon as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act. I live in Maine and I am not sure if the proposed rule would effect fish here. I am an avid saltwater sport fisherman and am around the different rivers and estuaries here in Maine a lot during the fishing season. I see sturgeon breaching routinely and have been observing this for a few years now. In the bigger rivers, Kennebec and Androscoggin, I have sat and watched in awe as these 5 to 6 foot long creatures leap out of the water. It is quite a sight! This past summer in a well covered news story here a State of Maine Marine Patrol boat was damaged from one of these flying sturgeon. I am all for protecting Atlantic sturgeon where the population is in trouble but here in Maine the population appears to be growing nicely as far as I can tell. In fact I would like to see if it is feasible to open a recreational fishery for the sturgeon here. Thank you, Chris Uraneck