August 1, 2014 — Over the next several months, NOAA Fisheries will be posting a series of feature stories on Atlantic salmon, the “king of freshwater fish” on their website. This is part 1 of a 5 part series.
This remarkable fish once supported vibrant commercial, recreational and subsistence fisheries throughout New England. Today, Atlantic salmon are so rare that they are considered endangered under the US. Endangered Species Act.
Penobscot River Home to Last Remnant U.S. Population
The last remnant population in the U.S. includes several rivers in Maine, most notably the Penobscot River. Historically, the Penobscot River held Maine’s largest population of Atlantic salmon. Annual salmon runs were estimated at upwards of 100,000 adults prior to the construction of the larger scale dams on the river in the 1830’s. Today, the number of fish making the annual run is only a fraction of its historic levels.
Value to Penobscot Indian Nation
Atlantic salmon are extremely important to the Penobscot Indian Nation. These fish have been a source of food for the tribe and a significant part of their cultural sustenance. Since 1998, the Penobscot Indian Nation has voluntarily refrained from taking Atlantic salmon due to the conservation status of the species.
The Tribe and federal partners hope that through conservation efforts, Atlantic salmon may be restored to the Gulf of Maine and protection under the Endangered Species Act will no longer be necessary. If this can be achieved, the potential exists for sustenance fishing to resume as well as other activities that are currently prohibited due to the conservation status.
Read the full story at NOAA Fisheries