The Fish Are Here!
2020 Nequasset Alewife Count
The first fish were seen at the base of the ladder on Friday, May 8!
Sign-up to count fish during a two hour block of time and count fish for two 10-minute periods in that time. Counts take place every day during the alewife run, which usually lasts about a month.
Some things to keep in mind for counting this year
The counting instructions have been updated this year so that volunteers will not be touching any shared equipment. Remember that you will need to bring your phone or a pad of paper to record the results of your count! Some guidelines for visiting the site in 2020 are below. More details are available at the 2020 Fish Count Instructions webpage.
Learn More About Alewives and Other Migratory Fish!
2020 Maine Alewife Trail Map
Maine Rivers has pulled together a map of locations where alewives can be observed across the state. Check it out to learn more about other places around the state where alewives migrate to spawn. This year, Maine Rivers is providing the guide to give people an opportunity to read about and virtually experience the annual migration of alewives in Maine.
Link to the Maine Alewife Trail Map here.
2020 Fish Count Ground-Rules
TO HELP KEEP PEOPLE SAFE
Please do not go down to the harvesting area. None of the materials will be in the fish house this year.
This year, we are asking that only one individual or one family group stand in the fish counting area beyond the chain link fence at a time. Fish Counters and Bath Water District Personnel have preference for accessing this area.
If you feel sick, please don’t come to count!
Please observe all state and federal distancing guidelines and stay at least 6 ft. away from any other people.
Take any neat photos?
We love to see neat pictures of the sights at the ladder! If you have any you wouldn't mind us sharing in these emails and on our website, please send them along to Ruth at rindrick@kennebecestuary.org.
Not able to visit the ladder this year?
You can still help support northeastern alewife populations by counting fish! There are some alewife counts in Massachusetts that record videos of their fish ladders, and they need volunteers to watch the videos and report on the number of fish that go by.
Fish ladder at Jenny Grist Mill dam located on Town Brook in Plymouth, MA
10 to 60 second videos of the fish ladder are recorded from April - June
Fish ladder at Upper Mystic Lake dam between Arlington & Medford, MA
10 to 60 second videos of the fish ladder are recorded from April - June
Your Counts Are Valuable!
They help to track the population of these important fish
The fish count numbers are used by the town to sustainably manage the harvest, the Bath Water District to measure and improve the function of the fish ladder, the Maine Department of Marine Resources to study and manage fish populations around the state, and other groups who are doing local projects on roads and streams to make sure these projects don't hurt the fish.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us to count alewives at Nequasset!
We couldn't do it without you.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions about the Nequasset Alewife Count.
Ruth Indrick
Project Coordinator
Kennebec Estuary Land Trust
(207) 442-8400
rindrick@kennebecestuary.org