Penobscot Watershed Eco Center

We now offer limited education through this page about reviving the Penobscot River and Restoring Sea-Run Fish throughout all Maine watersheds. Several years ago the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission held Public Hearings on Draft Amendment 2 to the "Interstate Fishery Management Plan for River Herring", in Ellsworth. This document is the management plan for Blueback herring (

Alosa mediocris) and Alewife (A. The River Herring and sea-run fish are Gulf of Maine Keystone species. These populations of Maine are severely threatened and could totally collapses if not managed properly leading to serious economic and ecological consequences. Recently, two dams were removed from the Penobscot River moving Maine closer to realizing the return of the native sea-run fish to the upper reaches of the easten branch of the Penobscot River. This work will open 1000 miles of native breeding grounds for River Herring and other sea-run fish. River Herring support the entire Atlantic Seacoast fisheries, yet we collectively neglect the immediate importance of this species as a natural resource. The Penobscot Sea-Run Fisheries is important to the future economy and ecology of the Gulf of Maine bio-region. Penobscot Watershed Eco Center (PWEC) offers education about these critically important sea-run species of fish. River Herring ( and all sea-run fish) are key to Tourism, Marine Science, the lobster and fishing industry, Birdwatching, Fishing and Boating, Whale Watching, Restaurants, and other industries operating in near our coastal waters. There are strong ecological connections and each one of these is tied to a different part of the River Herring life histories. Birds and fish are intimately entangled through our wetland habitats and water chemistry. Pollution from industries along the Penobscot discharging waste-water effluent high in Dioxin must be eliminated for its carcinogenic properties cause detrimental ecological consequences. http://mdislander.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5345&Itemid=40



Michael J.