Operational Plan for the Restoration of Diadromous Fishes to the ...

28.3. Develop research priorities at regional and international levels
Same as 28.1 and 28.2
28.4. Support ongoing research at regional and international levels
Same as 28.1 and 28.2
28.5. Work closely with the Atlantic salmon Action Teams
Action Teams are the key component of the new Atlantic Salmon Recovery
Framework. Activities (research and management actions) are identified and
evaluated at the Action Team level. Each Action Team is charged with identifying
the highest priority research and management actions that could be undertaken to
further the recovery of the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic
salmon. Existing and new activities should be included in the list of activities and
both compared against the same set of criteria. Each Action Team will use the
same set of criteria to evaluate the conservation benefit of proposed activities. This
will facilitate comparisons within Action Teams as well as across Action Teams.
29.1. Work with academic institutions to study the economic impacts of
restoration of diadromous fish
For thousands of years, diadromous fishes migrated through much of the basin,
providing a connection between the Gulf of Maine and inland terrestrial and aquatic
ecosystems. For thousands of years, Native American’s living along the river and its
tributaries have sought the migratory fish of the Penobscot River, as did the
European explorers and settlers. Commercial harvest of the Penobscot River's
migratory fish species began soon after the settlement of Bangor and Bucksport in
the1760s. There is a need to understand what a restored population would mean to
the economy of the region.
29.2. Examine appropriate case studies and fisheries research, particularly
with emphasis on the human dimension that can provide guidance for
ecosystem-based management
Restoring ecosystem processes and integrated multi-species fish management will
increase potential success, and that working cooperatively with other State and
Federal agencies, researchers and stakeholders are essential to the success of this
effort.
29.3. Work to understand community interest in the river
There are many stakeholders with an interest in the watershed that have led and
continue to lead restoration efforts. Various non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) have worked to restore alewives by succeeding with three barriers removals
in Souadabscook Stream, the removal of the Brownville Dam and active efforts to
improve fish passage in Blackman Stream and Sedgeunkedunk Stream.
Researchers from the University of Maine (UM) and other institutions have worked
cooperatively with state and federal agencies, providing needed information on
multiple fish species and the environment throughout the basin. The Penobscot
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