Congratulations to the 2026 Sea-run Fish Interns!
Not many students spend their undergraduate internships contributing directly to the conservation of endangered species. But for our five sea-run interns this summer, who worked with Atlantic Sturgeon, Shortnose Sturgeon, and Atlantic Salmon, protecting iconic species was just another day in the life.
Their work took them throughout the state, collecting data alongside teams at the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries team. Interns collaborated on fieldwork that will be key in various long-term studies that monitor the habitat, growth, and distribution of these fish species. With any luck, this information could help protect the fish for years to come.
Many interns participated mainly in fieldwork, where they had the chance to explore regions both familiar and far afield. Lindell Smiley, a sophomore from Bowdoin College, participated in Atlantic Salmon tagging and data collection along the Milford Fishway in the Penobscot River, a river he’s lived next to his entire life. Inspired by his field work this summer, he plans to apply to the NOAA Hollings Scholarship for undergraduate research.
On the other hand, Delphine Mailhot, a native of Brooklyn, New York, spent her internship Downeast. She conducted habitat assessment surveys along the Narraguagus River, exploring a region she’d never experienced before. A double major in Biology and Studio Art at Bates College, she remarked that the beautiful landscapes she explored during her fieldwork studying salmon have provided inspiration for her art.
In addition to personal inspiration, these experiences allowed interns to explore new potential career paths. Jordan Anderson, a senior wildlife ecology major at UMaine, remarked that while her main interest is medium- to large-sized mammals, her summer assisting graduate students with tagging sturgeon has made her consider working with fish in the future and to ponder going back to school for a master’s degree.
Junior marine science student at the University of New England, Willow Adler’s favorite aspect of the internship was getting to play an active role in conserving Atlantic Salmon, whose last wild populations in the United States are found in Maine. Working to transport salmon around the Kennebec River dams to their spawning grounds, Adler was immersed in the internal lives of each one. She worked to keep the fish calm and content while collecting data and driving them up the river. As she explains, “the salmon are strong and sensitive, so you have to be tuned in to everything that’s going on with them”.
While some interns engaged largely in field work, Jayden Dostie, a senior marine science student at the University of Maine, spent much of his internship in the lab, where he was able to press and photograph over 2,000 Atlantic Salmon scales over the course of his internship. Surprised by the amount of players involved in the project, the experience gave him a better appreciation of all the work done behind the scenes to produce research that is useful for marine conservation efforts: “This whole experience has given me more appreciation for the steps it takes to do this sort of science”.
While he jokingly describes himself as a “cog in the wheel” of the research project, his work will contribute directly to an NOAA study understanding the drivers of marine mortality in Atlantic salmon. The study is a collaboration with international partners throughout the Atlantic basin, including countries such as Canada, Norway, and Denmark. That’s a pretty cool wheel to help build.
From contributing to international research studies to bonding with slimy salmon, all five interns have made impressive personal and professional strides in only a few short months. While for many it was their first field experience, interns were clearly able to identify how their work has inspired them going forward. Maine Sea Grant and the salmon and sturgeon of Maine are very grateful for all their hard work this summer!