Cleaner water, dam removals, and efforts to reduce threats are helping create better conditions for Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon recovery in Maine’s coastal rivers.

"To build on that progress, the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) has launched a campaign that encourages the public to report sturgeon sightings and follow safe handling practices when these remarkable fish are accidentally caught," said DMR, in a news release.

Both species are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Known for their prehistoric appearance and spectacular leaps from the water, sturgeon are a distinctive part of Maine’s rivers and coastal waters.

“Restoring access to historic habitat and improving water quality support their recovery, while research and public participation help guide ongoing conservation efforts,” said DMR director of Sea Run Fisheries and Habitat Bureau Sean Ledwin.

The campaign, “Catch a Sturgeon, Let It Go. See a Sturgeon, Let Us Know,” invites people to take simple actions to support sturgeon conservation. With $10,000 in funding from a NOAA Species Recovery Grant to States, DMR has collaborated with Maine Sea Grant to design and post signs and distribute stickers at popular beach access points and boat ramps along Saco Bay and the Androscoggin River that promote safe handling and release practices based on guidance from NOAA Fisheries. Additional signage will be posted at targeted sites next summer.

The campaign also urges people to report sightings of live or dead sturgeon, including accidental catches, through DMR’s Maine Sturgeon Sighting Reporter. The online platform offers an easy way for anyone spending time on or near the water to contribute to sturgeon research.

“This campaign gives people a simple way to take part in sturgeon recovery,” said Ledwin. “Whether you spot a sturgeon leaping from the water or accidentally catch one while fishing, your observations and actions can help us better understand and protect these remarkable fish.”

Since the Maine Sighting Reporter launched in 2025, DMR has received 121 reports. Those observations have helped biologists identify locations where public outreach can be especially valuable and learn more about when and where sturgeon use Maine’s rivers and coastal waters.

“Reports through the Maine Sturgeon Sighting Reporter have helped us better understand the timing of sturgeon migration and habitat use,” said DMR Scientist Danielle Frechette, Ph.D. who leads the research. “That information has helped guide the expansion of our network of acoustic receivers, which track tagged sturgeon in coastal rivers and estuaries.”

People can submit reports anonymously or choose to provide contact information so DMR biologists can follow up for additional details and thank them for their contributions.

“It’s so much fun to read an email or talk with someone over the phone—they are excited to share their stories about seeing these incredible fish,” said Frechette. “We’ve heard from people who spotted sturgeon while paddleboarding or scuba diving, and from people sharing memories of seeing them in Maine’s rivers in the 1960s.”

During its first year, the reporting program also helped DMR recover more sturgeon carcasses for examination and learn more about accidental encounters—information that can help identify and address remaining threats.

“Cleaner water and restored access to habitat have helped lay the groundwork for recovery,” said Ledwin. “Every report adds to our understanding of sturgeon in Maine and helps us build on those conservation efforts. We’re grateful to everyone who takes the time to share a sighting and help protect these fish for future generations.”