There is a need to maintain viable populations of wild diadromous fishes in maine which provide recreational fishing opportunities in fresh and saltwater habitat and are an important forage base for…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 awarded $835,766.31 to the Department of Marine Resources Maine on January 1, 2026, under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605). The award funds diadromous fish population management and habitat access restoration in Maine through December 31, 2026.

Diadromous species—anadromous fishes such as striped bass and catadromous American eels—migrate between ocean and freshwater to spawn and provide recreational fishing opportunities, forage for piscivorous fish, and food for birds and mammals. Dam and culvert infrastructure has significantly reduced the distribution and abundance of these species in Maine. The Department of Marine Resources holds sole state management authority for diadromous species and requires effective habitat access restoration to sustain viable populations.

Sport Fish Restoration funds support state fish restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement activities. Revenues are collected from excise taxes on motorboat fuel, certain electric motors and fishing equipment, and import duties on fishing tackle and yachts, then apportioned annually to state agencies via formula. Performance occurs in Maine.

There is a need to maintain viable populations of wild diadromous fishes in maine which provide recreational fishing opportunities in fresh and saltwater habitat and are an important forage base for piscivorous fish and birds and mammals. Diadromous fishes which include anadromous and catadromous species migrate between the ocean and fresh water to spawn. Anadromous fishes like striped bass spawn in freshwater but spend most of their life in the sea. The catadromous american EEL spawns in the sea but spends most of its life in fresh water or estuarine water. The distribution and abundance of diadromous species in maine has been significantly reduced by the presence of dams. Depending on the species dams and many thousands of culverts may adversely impact fish populations during their migrations. Maine DMR has sole management authority for managing diadromous species in the state. Its ability to sustain viable populations of diadromous species will be significantly compromised unless effective access to habitat is restored.