The Royal River runs about 30 miles from its headwaters in New Gloucester, Maine, to its outlet in Casco Bay in Yarmouth. Like many of New England’s coastal rivers, the Royal drove vital economic growth during the region’s industrial era, when dams built along its route harnessed water to power mills, tanneries, and more. While…
Jun 13
2018
2018
May 17
2018
2018
CLF Continues Working to Restore Native River Herring to New England’s Coastal Rivers
Every year, alewives and blueback herring return to their native waters to spawn. But thousands of dams have cut these fish off from thousands of acres of freshwater bodies, thwarting reproductive cycles that had been ongoing for eons. The impact of these dams, on top of threats from pollution and overfishing, have led to a drastic decline in river herring populations – threatening their survival.
Restoring River Herring
Alewives are critical to Maine’s fisheries but collapsed due to laws keeping the fish from spawning ground. CLF took action to save the species.
Jun 13
2017
2017
Restoration Efforts Bring Thousands of Native Fish Back to Maine’s Coastal Rivers
It’s that time of year when fish like alewives and blueback herring journey from the sea to their native fresh waters to spawn. As a keystone species, these fish, collectively known as river herring, play a critical role as building blocks in our coastal ecosystems. They are also important to the health of New England’s fisheries,…
Nov 16
2016
2016
Presumpscot River Will Flow a Little More Freely Thanks to Historic Settlement
River herring and shad play a critical role in the health of Maine’s coastal fisheries, serving as food for cod, salmon, and striped bass and as a bait fish for lobstermen. Their populations have dipped dangerously low over the last century, however, as dams built to power riverside industries blocked access to traditional spawning grounds.…
Nov 16
2016
2016
Historic Settlement Agreement Reached to Remove Saccarappa Dams
Sean Mahoney, Maine Director for Conservation Law Foundation, commented, “The Presumpscot River was once home to hundreds of thousands of migratory fish before it was dammed, stem to stern, and treated as though it were a public sewer. Restoring the productivity of the fish populations in the Presumpscot is vital, not just for those who fish along the river, but also for the health of our fishing industry in Casco Bay and the Gulf of Maine. Migratory fish like alewives and bluebacks are critical bait for the lobster fishery and key to the entire food system.”
Responsible Fisheries Management
We’re protecting the future of New England’s fisheries.
Maine
Protecting Maine’s Air, Land, and Water for All From the rugged peaks of Baxter State Park to Acadia’s rocky shores, from the quiet beauty of our lakes to the bounty of our many farms, Maine is the place CLF has pledged to protect with all the tenacity, passion, and skill that we have. Our Solutions…
Jun 12
2014
2014
A Fish Runs Through It: Restoring Fishways on the Presumpscot and St. Croix Rivers
Slowly but surely fish are returning to the Presumpscot and St. Croix rivers and your support of CLF is making that happen. As detailed in this recent article, the years of litigation to force the South African Pulp and Paper company to allow fish like alewives and blue back herring to get beyond their first…
Jun 7
2013
2013
Day of Celebration on the St. Croix
It’s not often you get the chance to celebrate such a clear victory for the environment as the return of the alewife to the St. Croix River watershed. As discussed in prior posts, a Maine law prohibiting alewives from accessing this fish ladder at the Grand Falls Dam was repealed this past May and for…