PORTLAND, Maine - The future of Maine smelt fishing is up for a key vote that could restrict the harvesting of the wriggling fish.
A Maine advisory committee was set to decide Tuesday if the state will enact new regulations to protect the declining populations of the fish. Smelts are popular in Maine among winter ice fishermen and as a batter fried treat.
The new rules would divide the state into three smelt management "zones,'' with the strictest rules on the southern coast. The rules would mean no smelt fishing in the southern part of Maine from March 15 to June 30.
The Department of Marine Resources Advisory Council was scheduled to consider the new regulations at 1 p.m. State officials expected a ruling near the end of the day.
