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Working Together to Bring Back "Siqonomeq"

 Topographical map of St. Croix River and Grand Falls Dam. Illustration 

courtesy of Ed Bassett.

Historically, millions of "siqonomeq," or alewives, migrated between the 

Gulf of Maine and the St. Croix River watershed. After many years of 

effort, the Passamaquoddy Schoodic Riverkeepers, Aroostook Band 

of Micmacs, Houlton Bands of Maliseets, Penobscot Nation, 

Bureau of Indian Affairs, NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Natural 

Resources Council of Maine, the Conservation Law Foundation, the 

Atlantic Salmon Federation and Maine Rivers join with state 

legislators, scientists, commercial and recreational fishermen and our 

Canadian counterparts to celebrate a milestone in ongoing efforts to 

restore access to habitat on the St. Croix watershed. 

On June 5, we will celebrate the removal of the barriers at Grand Falls in 

Maine that have prevented alewife from moving upstream into historic 

spawning habitat and pledge our commitment to continuing work 

throughout the watershed to restore access for river herring -- alewife 

and blueback herring. Potentially alewife production on this watershed 

could be the highest of any watershed in Maine resulting in ecological 

and economic benefits for the region, as well as significant cultural 

benefits for the Passamaquoddy and other tribes.

Ecological Connections

By allowing alewives to access their ancestral spawning grounds, we 

are restoring an important living connection between the marine and 

freshwater ecosystems. Many creatures depend on alewives for food 

such as Atlantic salmon, cod, ospreys, and eagles. 

Benefits to Local Economies

Wherever alewives are found in great abundance, local economies have 

come to depend on them. Restoring access to alewife spawning 

grounds above Grand Falls Dam will benefit local economies, as 

alewives are used as bait in local ground fisheries and lobster 

fisheries. These fisheries, including the alewife fishery, are an important 

part of the local cultural identity.

Cultural Significance to Passamaquoddy Tribe/First Nation

The Passamaquoddy Tribe/First Nation inhabit the coastal and inland 

territory within the St. Croix River watershed along the U.S. and 

Canadian border. The Passamaquoddy, whose name means People of 

the Pollock Place, have depended on the rich resources of the ocean 

and the fish that seasonally spawn in the waters of their land to enrich 

the ecosystems on which their hunting and fishing culture has 

depended. Maintenance of their culture through access to traditional 

resources contributes to the diversity and richness of Maine’s and New 

Brunswick’s broader maritime culture. The reopening of historic St. 

Croix River spawning grounds to alewives and blueback herring 

strengthens the Passamaquoddy culture and traditions by ensuring the 

survival of indigenous resources upon which Passamaquoddy culture 

and traditions depend.

For more information on Passamaquoddy Tribe

GARFO 

NOAA HOME WEATHER OCEANS FISHERIES CHARTING SATELLITES CLIMATE RESEARCH COASTS CAREERS Search NMFS Site . . . 

Working Together to Bring Back "Siqonomeq" :: NOAA Fisheries Page 1 of 2

http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2013/StCroixPartnership.html 1/8/2016
http://wabanaki.com/

http://www.passamaquoddy.com/ 

http://www.passamaquoddy-nation.net/

Click here for link to Joint Press Release on river run

Click here for Media Advisory about June 5 event

Click here for Press release and other information about June 5 event

Click here for Next Steps on St. Croix Partnership

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Working Together to Bring Back "Siqonomeq" :: NOAA Fisheries Page 2 of 2

http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2013/StCroixPartnership.html 1/8/2016