PLEASANT POINT, Maine — Tensions between state and local Passamaquoddy officials over elver fishing increased late Wednesday when the Department of Marine Resources announced it was taking emergency action to restrict what kind of gear tribal sustenance fishermen can use.

In a prepared statement released after 5 p.m., department officials indicated that the department is banning the use of fyke nets by members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe who have been issued tribal sustenance licenses.

Such licenses are intended to allow tribal members to fish for food or other personal use, but Department of Marine Resources officials said they are concerned sustenance fishermen who use large, funnel-shaped nets may be catching large amounts of the baby eels and then, in violation of state law, selling their catch to take advantage of high prices.

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