Habitat Trouble for Atlantic Salmon in the Northeastern States
from the National Fish Habitat Partnership's 2015 Through a Fish's Eye Report
Summary
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is an internationally famous anadromous trout species that can reach weights of 80 lbs. and has been listed as endangered since 2000. In the United States, Atlantic Salmon historically existed as far south as Long Island Sound, although today they are now mostly limited to the Gulf of Maine. These salmon spend their early years in Maine rivers, before migrating into international seas. After one to three years off the coasts of Newfoundland, Labrador, and Greenland, they return to their natal rivers to spawn. The primary threats to Atlantic salmon are reduced migratory passage and increased mortality due to dams and other barriers, inadequate harvest regulations in international waters, and low marine [...]
Summary
Atlantic Salmon
(Salmo salar) is an internationally famous anadromous trout species that can reach weights of 80 lbs. and has been listed as endangered since 2000. In the United States, Atlantic Salmon historically existed as far south as Long Island Sound, although today they are now mostly limited to the Gulf of Maine. These salmon spend their early years in Maine rivers, before migrating into international seas. After one to three years off the coasts of Newfoundland, Labrador, and Greenland, they return to their natal rivers to spawn. The primary threats to Atlantic salmon are reduced migratory passage and increased mortality due to dams and other barriers, inadequate harvest regulations in international waters, and low marine survival. A host of secondary threats affect the species, including impairments to their spawning and rearing habitat quality, water quality degradation and access to key habitat. New threats have been identified which include but are not limited to road crossings at streams preventing passage of all sizes of this species and the effects of climate change. In 2015, NOAA launched an initiative called
Species in the Spotlight to increase focus on improving key endangered species including the Gulf of Maine population of Atlantic Salmon. Priority actions include reconnecting Gulf of Maine headwater streams with the ocean and increasing the number of fish successfully entering the marine environment, reducing mortality due to international fishing, and increasing our understanding and ability to improve survival in the marine environment.
The U.S Geological Survey (USGS) is partnering with the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP) to produce the 2015 report entitled, "Through a Fish's Eye: The Status of Fish Habitats in the United States 2015". The information contained within this item is a product of NFHP. The Bureau is neither responsible nor liable for the accuracy or the use of the scientific content within this item. This content is considered preliminary pending subsequent review and approval.
