Rainbow smelt are one of Maine’s native migratory or sea-run fish populations.

“They are soon headed for a coastal river near you – and we need your help!” said Downeast Salmon Federation, in a news release.

These little fish migrate from estuaries into Maine’s coastal rivers and streams to spawn beginning in March through to June, and volunteers are needed for documenting when, where, and how many are spawning.

 
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The Downeast Salmon Federation, and partners The Nature Conservancy and the Maine Department of Marine Resources, have developed a citizen science project in collaboration with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to document the presence/absence of rainbow smelt in coastal streams.

“We are looking for hearty souls to brave the chilly spring weather and help us conduct surveys, either at night to look for spawning smelt or during the day to look for their tiny eggs which stick to the rocks in the stream bed,” said DSF.
 
Participants need to attend a required survey training, which will be held Wednesday, March 3, at 4 p.m., via Zoom. 

If you cannot attend but want to participate in the survey, please indicate that when registering and DSF will follow up with more information.
 
WHAT: Virtual smelt survey training from TNC and partners
WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at 4 p.m.
WHERE: Zoom
TO SIGN UP: https://tinyurl.com/zpvk88w3
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook. com/events/857657548163003/