MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Merrimack River sturgeons

MATOS Project Code: MERRSTURG

Data Type: Data

Project Duration: April 2008 - December 2025

Project Description: Sturgeon investigations have been conducted in the Merrimack River by the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Studies beginning in 2008 follow initial efforts in 1987-1990, the first documentation a reproductive shortnose sturgeon population still inhabited this river. The current studies, initiated as part of a range-wide genetic evaluation effort, has determined a significant population increase among shortnose sturgeon as well as an annual coastal spawning migration to the Kennebec River. All efforts in the Merrimack River are part of the Gulf of Maine Sturgeon Research Collaboration, including investigations by the University of Maine, Orono (Penobscot River), the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Augusta, Maine, the New England University, Biddeford, Maine (Saco River), and the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Cooperation is also received from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.

Objectives:

Critical habitat
Reproduction
Migration
Life history

Management Benefits:

Critical habitat identification
Annual movement pattern identification
Spawning migration corridor identification

Principal Investigator:	Micah Kieffer (Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory)
Email:	mkieffer@usgs.gov

Point of Contact:	Micah Kieffer
Email:	mkieffer@usgs.gov

Participating Organizations:

Merrimack River Watershed Council
Maine Department of Marine Resources
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
University of Maine
Massachusetts Natural Heritage Endangered Species Program
National Marine Fisheries Service
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
New England University
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Micah Kieffer