Atlantic Salmon Freshwater Assessments and Research

Project Title: Atlantic Salmon Freshwater Assessments and Research
Project Location: Augusta office of the Maine Department of Marine Resources Bureau of Sea-run Fisheries and Habitat
Project Leader: Jennifer Noll (jennifer.b.noll@maine.gov)
Project Time Frame: May 2024 – August 2024 (flexible with student/mentor schedules)
Total Hours: up to 480
Semester Hour Allocation: 40 hours per week as available
Pay Rate: $17/hour

Gulf of Maine Atlantic salmon are the last wild populations in the USA and are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Continued management-based research and assessments are necessary to document population responses to management action and habitat improvements and restoration.

ME-DMR Bureau of Sea-run Fisheries and Habitat (BSRFH) has been in a cooperative agreement with NOAA-Fisheries for several years with the purpose of preserving Atlantic salmon within the Gulf of Maine. Under this agreement, ME-DMR staff conducts a variety of activities associated with Atlantic salmon management and recovery.  These activities include: adult salmon trap operations, juvenile assessments using electrofishing, spawner surveys and stream surveys for salmon habitat, stream restoration projects such as adding large wood to streams, and documenting temperature regimes of streams. ME-DMR staff also works with other diadromous species such as river herring, striped bass, American shad and rainbow smelt, collecting data and counts. This intern would be exposed to a variety of fisheries techniques and management over the course of their term. A clean driving record is a requirement as there may be a need to use a State of Maine vehicle for project needs.

The intern would assist in:

  • Collection and preparation of biological samples and tranlocation of adult Atlantic salmon
  • Surveying habitat quantity and deploying temperature loggers
  • Annual juvenile salmon assessment work using electrofishing in the Kennebec River
  • Data entry into ME-DMR databases, inventorying and maintaining sampling equipment
  • Rapid stream assessment on the Sheepscot River

Opportunities include:

  • Connecting with scientists and professionals in the fisheries field
  • Exposure to and training in fisheries science and enumeration and assessment techniques such as electrofishing and habitat surveying
  • Learning the layout, functionality, and issues with multiple Atlantic salmon watersheds