UMaine Study of Endangered Salmon Enters Second Phase
Contact: Joseph Zydlewski (207) 581-2853; David Munson (207) 581-3777
ORONO, Maine — UMaine researchers Joseph Zydlewski, Michael Kinnison and Christopher Holbrook will continue to develop effective methods for assessing the migratory success of Maine’s endangered Atlantic salmon populations with the help of a $95,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
Their project, which involves tagging young salmon with acoustic transmitters and tracking their migration seaward in the Penobscot River, is the second phase of a large-scale salmon migration study begun in 2005. By monitoring wild and hatchery-raised salmon smolts using an array of acoustic receivers, Zydlewski and Kinnison will work with Holbrook, a graduate student in biology from Norway, Maine, to determine the fishes’ routes of passage, speed and mortality.
The data gathered during the project will help scientists to better understand the success of release programs, the impact of hydroelectric facilities and the overall condition of the smolts as they make their way back to the open ocean.
Information from both phases of research will be used to more accurately assess the Penobscot River Restoration Project, one of the largest river restoration projects in the country.