MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • October 3, 2021
Dr. Kathy Mills, of the Gulf of Maine’s Research Institute, examines fish scales from sea-running salmon as they have made their way back to Maine rivers to reproduce. Something is happening during the salmon’s time at sea that makes it harder for them to survive. “Our research is pointing towards marine ecosystem change as a strong driver of Atlantic salmon population declines,” said Mills. There are few measures international regulators can take other than to control salmon fishing at sea, but local and state regulators can work to reduce the number of dams salmon must pass and improve in-river habitat conditions for wild healthy juveniles swimming out to sea. While she’d love to see a viable wild Atlantic salmon fishery come back, she’s not optimistic. “Ocean conditions have changed substantially in ways that are unfavorable to Atlantic salmon, and climate projections indicate these changes will continue.” Salmon lovers can choose farmed salmon, wild caught Pacific salmon from Alaska, or adapt seafood recipes to use species local fishermen are reeling in. ~ Christine Burns Rudalevige