Celebrate World Fish Migration Day!
Most fish live in either salt (ocean) or freshwater (rivers and
lakes). But did you know some species live in both? We call these species
sea-run fish, and they are an important part of salt and freshwater
ecosystems. World Fish Migration Day is a global
celebration to create awareness on the importance of open rivers and migratory
fish. This April
21, 2018, on World Fish Migration Day, organizations from
around the world organize their own events around the common theme of Connecting
Rivers, Fish, and People. By working together, we create a greater
driving force to raise awareness and share ideas.
Spending
a portion of their lives in freshwater and a portion of their lives in the
ocean, sea-run fish support healthy, living freshwater and nearshore marine
ecosystems. Herring species such as alewives, blueback herring, and American
shad mature at sea and along New England’s coast before making a mad dash up
rivers and streams to spawn. With numbers that once ranged well into millions, river herring provide food for scores of larger predatory fish that sought them out
as prey, such as cod, haddock, and striped bass.
Today,
these fish need our help. Much of their historical access to spawning habitat
has been impeded by dams or other obstructions. Removing dams and constructing
effective fish passages are important for returning these fish to their former
abundance.
Beginning
on March 31, NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office and the
Northeast Fisheries Science Center will host World Fish Migration Day events
throughout the region to recognize the importance of these fish in our
ecosystem. Through our programs, we hope to increase knowledge and
understanding of migratory fish from Maine to Virginia.
See the list of Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office events.
Check out other World Fish Migration Day events.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, at 978-281-9175
|
