On June 9th we will symbolically join the alewife (gaspereau) migration up the St Croix in canoes, kayaks, motorized boats, and on foot to call for the opening of the St Croix River to this ecologically important fish. We will hold a rally on the water between St Stephen and Calais. What better way to support a migrating fish than by joining them!
The Passamaquoddy Alewife Group will be leading a two day, 110 mile, relay run on June 9 and 10. They will run from Sipayik, Maine to Grand Falls (where the alewife are currently being blocked) and on to Mud Lake Stream where 4000 year old alewife bones have been found. If you are interested in participating in the run, contact me directly at 506-529-8838 or [email protected] and I will pass on your information. The two events will meet at 3pm (AST) / 2pm (EST) at Calais/St Stephen for the rally.
Event details:
Date: rally at 3pm (AST) / 2pm (EST), Saturday June 9th (storm date June 10th)
Location: The rally will occur on the water between St Stephen and Calais. You may participate by canoe, kayak, row boat, or shore side. Closer to the rally you will receive detailed instructions on where to put in your boats and where to park.
Any one wishing to enter a motorized boat please contact me directly at 506-529-8838 or [email protected].
As you know, Alewife (Gaspereau) have been blocked from over 98% of their historic spawning habitat on the St Croix River since 1991 (with a Maine law enacted to this effect in 1995).The St Croix River has potential to have the largest run of alewives on the Eastern Seaboard, hosting runs up to 2.6 million in the late 80’s. After a low of 900 in 2002, alewife have made a modest comeback to 25,000 last year, still a far cry from the 80’s when they were free to run the whole river.
Restoration of alewife to the St Croix matters for the River, the Bay, and the Gulf of Maine. Alewives play a critical ecological role serving as an important source of food for groundfish, marine mammals, and a host of birds and terrestrial animals along the rivers where they spawn. Abundant alewife runs can also serve as a source of bait for the lobster fishery. They aren’t bad eating for us either!
