The purpose of this grant project is to provide support for the work of new hampshirefish and game department s marine fisheries division in conducting a variety of activitiesto study and benefit…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 awarded the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department $1.205 million under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) on January 1, 2026, to support marine fisheries management and sport fish restoration activities in New Hampshire through December 31, 2027.

The award funds the Marine Fisheries Division's work assessing anadromous fish restoration through operation and maintenance of department-owned fishways, conducting fish and angler surveys, collecting data, providing interjurisdictional fisheries management support, and performing environmental review. Anticipated outcomes include broad benefit to New Hampshire's recreationally important finfish resources and saltwater anglers.

The University of New Hampshire serves as a sub-recipient. In a sub-award issued May 6, 2026, UNH is conducting tagging and monitoring of anadromous Rainbow Smelt during the spring spawning season using Passive Integrative Transponders and acoustic telemetry tags. During tagging operations, smelt are measured and scale samples collected. UNH is purchasing and deploying acoustic receivers in the Piscataqua River to document smelt movement. Continued monitoring over successive years will provide information on movements, site fidelity, growth, and survivorship.

Performance occurs in New Hampshire.

The purpose of this grant project is to provide support for the work of new hampshirefish and game department s marine fisheries division in conducting a variety of activitiesto study and benefit various sport fish species and programs. Activities to be performedinclude assessing the restoration of anadromous fish by operation and maintenance ofdepartment owned fishways, various fish surveys, angler surveys, data collection, interjurisdictionalfisheries management support, and environmental review. Expectedoutcomes include broad benefit to new hampshire s recreationally important finfishresources. Intended beneficiaries include the public, as well as saltwater anglers.anticipated sub-recipients preforming work under this award include the university of newhampshire.