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Project Restores Historic Fishways in Somesville

November 21, 2007 - MOUNT DESERT -- The Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary is one step closer to completing the fish run from Somes Sound to Long Pond. Reconstruction of the fish ladder just above the Mill Pond in Somesville has begun.

The rebuilding of the fishways is part of a multi-phase project being organized by David LaMon, executive director of the Somes-Meynell Wildlife Sanctuary. "This phase has been the most intensive work of the entire project," Mr. LaMon said. "The planning, engineering, and permitting has been very involved."

Mr. LaMon continued, "The last phase includes rebuilding the fishway at the outflow of Long Pond. There is an educational component of the project to be located by the Somesville Historical Society that will highlight the various mill industries and the fishways unique to this particular location."

Funding for the project has come primarily from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Gulf of Maine Council, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The project has cost approximately $100,000 to this point. Another $80,000 is needed to complete it.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has also contributed to the cause by providing alewife fingerlings for restocking purposes. The program is meant to augment the rebounding of natural fishery stocks.

The project may become a premiere demonstrator for fishway restoration projects. "NOAA's office in Massachusetts is looking at this project and they think this is one of the showcase projects in New England," said Mr. LaMon. "Traditionally, this is one of the bigger runs on the Maine coast for alewives and to get that back to what it once was will be quite exciting."

Observations over the past several years have shown that the numbers of alewives running upstream appear to be on the rise. Even more interesting, Mr. LaMon said, is that the number of hatchlings heading downstream on the fall migration back to the sea are on the rise as well; that shows that the fishery is being revitalized.

The alewives run in three-year cycles, according to Mr. LaMon. Fish populations will be monitored for the next several years to assess the trends of alewives and other anadromous, or sea-run, fish stocks. The next several years will provide more pertinent results as to the effectiveness of the renovations, Mr. LaMon said.

The fish-spawning route is a classic example of what critics say is an all too common tale in the Gulf of Maine. The degradation of the four fishways around dams located on the approximately one-mile stretch between Somes Sound and Long Pond prevent the natural populations of alewives, American eel and sea lamprey from making their spawning runs. That has resulted in a serious decline in populations of those species, which are important foraging foods for groundfish stocks and are critical to both the freshwater and marine ecosystems in the Gulf of Maine.

Lamprey are critical to Atlantic salmon stocks because they help create sediment free spawning areas for the salmon. When the lamprey spawn, they clear areas that are then used by the salmon. Young lamprey are also an important food source for many animals, as they spend up to 10 years in freshwater before migrating to the ocean. Adult lamprey die after spawning and become part of the natural nutrient cycle.

American eel were recently reviewed for status as a threatened/endangered species. The study concluded in January of 2007 and determined that the current population was not in danger of becoming extinct in the near future. Declines in population were localized, but the overall health of the species was determined to be healthy. The eel's ability to recover from dramatic losses in population stems from the eel's ability to mature in fresh, salt, or brackish water, according to the study.

The American eel is important to fisheries as well as the ecosystem. The juvenile, unpigmented American eel is known as the glass eel and is a highly prized food fish in Asian markets. The American eel is also very important as a foraging stock for a wide variety of animals.

Another crucial foraging stock, the alewife, is currently at the center of debate as the offshore herring stocks are being depleted. The alewife belongs to the herring family and is often used as lobster bait. Alewives are a very important part of marine, freshwater, and land-based food chains. Many types of fish, birds and mammals consume them as they are en route to and from their freshwater spawning grounds. Sustaining the alewife population is central to sustaining other fishery populations such as groundfish.

Fishway reconstruction projects are an important aspect in regional management of local fisheries. The preservation of groundfish feed stocks, such as alewives, eels, and lamprey, must be in place for any sort of management plan to succeed.

SOURCE: Mount Desert Islander

DATE: 11-16-2007


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Regions: Mid Coast


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