Producer/Host: Natalie Springuel Coastal Conversations: Conversations with people who live, work, and play on the Maine coast, hosted by the University of Maine Sea Grant Program. This episode: Many people in Maine have heard of Atlantic Salmon and Alewives, but do you know about Rainbow Smelt? These migratory sea-run fish may be swimming up your backyard streams right now! And historically, these fish have all featured in the lives of Maine residents for sustenance, income, and recreation. Smelt and tomcod populations are believed to have declined in recent decades. That\u2019s the bad news. The good news is that the restoration of salmon and alewife habitat benefits all members of the sea-run fish family. Our show today features a compendium of smelt stories plus a few about tomcod and other sea-run fish, from interviews conducted over the course of the last year in an effort to document the traditional ecological knowledge of people who harvest, interact with, and observe sea-run fish. So make a note to tune in Friday afternoon, May 27, 2022, from 4-5 OM, when this month\u2019s Coastal Conversation features stories and voices talking about seasons of change for Maine\u2019s sea-run fish. Only on WERU community radio, 89.9 FM in Blue Hill and online at WERU.org. Key Discussion Points: -The seasonality of migrating fish -Stories and memories from people who have fished and observed smelt, tom cod and other searun fish since the 1970\u2019s. -The ecology and biology of changing fisheries in Maine\u2019s rivers, streams and estuaries Guests: Chris Johnson, ecology manager with the Passamaquoddy Tribe Sipayak Environmental Department Danielle Frechette, a marine resource scientist with Maine Department of Marine Resource\u2019s bureau of sea-run fisheries and habitat Sean Beauregard, a student at the University of Maine and Smelt interview project intern John Melquist Sr., smelt fisherman, South Thomaston Kurt Soneson, a retired Marine Patrol Officer Sharon Morrill, wildlife watcher from Damariscotta Mills Dick and Max Grimm, a father and son fishermen from Yarmouth Lawrence Moffet, retired commercial lobsterman and recreational tomcod fisherman Special appreciation for support in producing this show goes to: Sean Beauregard, University of Maine student and intern; Justin Stevens, Maine Sea Grant sea-run fish ecosystem project coordinator; and Danielle Frechette, marine resource scientist with Maine Department of Marine Resources bureau of sea-run fisheries and habitat. About the host: Natalie Springuel has hosted Coastal Conversation\u2019s since 2015, with support from the University of Maine Sea Grant where she has served as a marine extension associate for 20 years. In 2019, Springuel received an award for Public Affairs programming from the Maine Association of Broadcasters for the Coastal Conversations show called \u201cPortland\u2019s Working Waterfront.\u201d Springuel is passionate about translating science, sharing stories, and offering a platform for multiple voices to weigh in on complex coastal and ocean issues. She has recently enrolled in audio production training at Maine Media Workshop to dive deeper into making great community radio.
\nThe post Coastal Conversations 5/27/22: Rainbow Smelt first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.