Partners

Over the past two decades, groundfish such as cod, haddock, and flounder have largely disappeared from eastern Maine’s coastal waters, while Atlantic salmon and other freshwater species continue to decline in the region’s rivers. As a result, the once-diverse recreational and commercial fisheries that sustained Downeast communities have narrowed dramatically, leaving the coastal economy heavily reliant on lobster alone.

The Downeast Fisheries Partnership was created in response to this loss. This unprecedented collaboration is working to restore one of the world’s great ecosystems by reconnecting eastern Maine’s rivers to its coastal waters and rebuilding the ecological foundation of a diverse, resilient fishing future. Achieving this vision will require sustained, coordinated effort among many partners, united by a shared commitment to the region’s waters, fisheries, and communities.

Downeast Fisheries Partnership

Additional Partners