07-17-2009, 12:13 PM
The science is coming down on the side of the sea-run alewives being in a different situation - for several reasons. As a vehicle of nutrients into freshwater; as schools of fish that divert attention from young sea-run salmon among predators; and the young as a source of food. In addition, these sea-run alewives have a commercial importance, with Maine inshore fishermen pleading for the reinstatement of fish passage. Maine First nations have also noted that the blockage goes against sustenance fisheries. Canadians meanwhile, note that no consultations at all took place on this international river's native sea-run alewives when the fish ladders were closed.
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