Maine Rivers

Our mission is to protect, restore, and enhance the ecological health of Maine's river systems

Our mission is to protect, restore and enhance the ecological health of Maine’s river systems.

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Sturgeon

Shortnose Sturgeon
(Acipenser brevirostrum) a living fossil predating the dinosaur, can be found in several Maine rivers. They are a primitive fish with rows of bony, armor-like plates on their sides and a skeleton of cartilage rather than bones. Sturgeon are bottom feeders–they suck plants and animals disturbed by their movement into their tube-like mouth. Smaller than their cousins the Atlantic sturgeon, which can grow to 7ft long, the shortnose sturgeon rarely reaches more than 3ft.

Like all anadromous fish, the shortnose sturgeon needs access to both freshwater rivers and rich estuaries. The species rarely migrates far into the ocean away from its native river. When ready to spawn, the sturgeon migrate upstream and deposit their eggs over gravelly or rocky river bottoms in moderately deep water with strong current.

Although the shortnose sturgeon is an endangered species, the Kennebec River has some of the best habitat for sturgeon in Maine. When Edwards Dam was removed last summer, the sturgeon regained access to their full historic range on the river. In time, these spawning grounds may help the fish to recover.

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.pressherald.com/2021/01/21/yarmouth-to-consider-the-benefits-of-removing-royal-river-dams/ ...

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.museumla.org/current-news ...

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Maine Rivers

1 month ago

Maine Rivers

www.pressherald.com/2021/01/13/klpd-to-file-plan-with-regulatory-agency-to-surrender-mousam-dams/ ...

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Kennebunk Light and Power District to file plan with regulatory agency to surrender Mousam dams

www.pressherald.com

Public meeting to hear comment set for Jan. 26.
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Watersheds

Maine’s Watershed Regions: Read More

Legislation

State of Maine Legislation: Read More

River Life

30,000 miles of rivers and streams course through the glaciated landscape of Maine. Read More

Advocating for Free Flowing Rivers

Hundreds of years ago, before the first European settlers came to Maine, the region looked very different. Read more

Restoring Native Fish to Our Rivers

We work to restore native fish populations to rivers throughout Maine. Read more

Maine River Restoration Successes

We celebrate river restoration achievements across the state. Read More

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Maine Rivers

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P.O. Box 782
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-847-9277

Email: contact@mainerivers.org

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