Location
UMass Amherst
Event Website
http://fishpassage.ecs.umass.edu/Conference2012/
Start Date
7-6-2012 11:30 AM
End Date
7-6-2012 12:00 PM
Description
Atlantic salmon in Maine are in danger of extinction. Dams are a major threat to Atlantic salmon recovery because they limit access to historic spawning and rearing habitat; they directly kill and injure a significant number of salmon on both upstream and downstream migrations; and they degrade the productive capacity of habitats upstream by inundating formerly free-flowing rivers, reducing water quality, and changing fish communities. Historically there were approximately 713,000 units (1habitat unit = 100m2) of accessible spawning and rearing habitat for Atlantic salmon. Because of dams, only 39,000 units of fully accessible and suitable spawning and rearing habitat remain. Recovery goals, habitat quality scores and habitat quantity scores used in identifying critical habitat (pursuant to the Endangered Species Act) have provided us with the resources to plan for, and direct connectivity projects for Atlantic salmon. One of the Atlantic salmon recovery goals is to achieve 90,000 units of fully accessible and suitable spawning and rearing habitats. To achieve this goal, we implemented a strategic approach to improve access to important habitats blocked by dams. This approach includes physical surveys of over 400 dams in Maine and their respective owners. The physical survey confirms dam locations, documents dam features and dimensions, and the presence or absence of fish passage. The dam owner survey targets dam owners to learn their interests and concerns in respect to their dams; how their dams are used; and if they would consider installing fish passage, improved fish passage, or dam removal if resources were available to help.
Session A7 - A Systematic Approach to Improve Passage at Dams Necessary for Recovery of Endangered Atlantic Salmon in Maine
UMass Amherst
Atlantic salmon in Maine are in danger of extinction. Dams are a major threat to Atlantic salmon recovery because they limit access to historic spawning and rearing habitat; they directly kill and injure a significant number of salmon on both upstream and downstream migrations; and they degrade the productive capacity of habitats upstream by inundating formerly free-flowing rivers, reducing water quality, and changing fish communities. Historically there were approximately 713,000 units (1habitat unit = 100m2) of accessible spawning and rearing habitat for Atlantic salmon. Because of dams, only 39,000 units of fully accessible and suitable spawning and rearing habitat remain. Recovery goals, habitat quality scores and habitat quantity scores used in identifying critical habitat (pursuant to the Endangered Species Act) have provided us with the resources to plan for, and direct connectivity projects for Atlantic salmon. One of the Atlantic salmon recovery goals is to achieve 90,000 units of fully accessible and suitable spawning and rearing habitats. To achieve this goal, we implemented a strategic approach to improve access to important habitats blocked by dams. This approach includes physical surveys of over 400 dams in Maine and their respective owners. The physical survey confirms dam locations, documents dam features and dimensions, and the presence or absence of fish passage. The dam owner survey targets dam owners to learn their interests and concerns in respect to their dams; how their dams are used; and if they would consider installing fish passage, improved fish passage, or dam removal if resources were available to help.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2012/June7/10
Comments
Dan is a Fisheries Biologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) with 19 years of professional experience working with anadromous fish. Dan started his career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993. In 2000, Dan joined NMFS as a Fisheries Biologist tasked with the management and restoration of depleted populations of anadromous fish, particularly Atlantic salmon, and more recently alewives and blueback herring. While working with NMFS, Dan has studied the effects of stream acidification on the ability of juvenile Atlantic salmon to transition from the freshwater environment to the marine environment. In recent years, Dan has focused his efforts on improving access to freshwater habitats necessary for the success of all anadromous fish. Dan's efforts on restoring connectivity comes as dams and culverts have been identified as blocking or impairing access to nearly 90 percent of all freshwater lakes, rivers and streams that anadromous fish require for spawning and juvenile rearing.