Conservation Hatcheries

At the East Machias Aquatic Research Center (EMARC), we rear Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, for stocking in our Narraguagus and East Machias rivers.

We have two biosecure rearing rooms, one for each river; here we raise our salmon to parr, where they develop the dark vertical markings and red dots called “parr marks”.

Once our fish are at recruitment size, we float-stock each river with their corresponding strain.  By using the rearing methods developed by Peter Gray, we ensure that our little athletes meet the rigorous standards required to survive and thrive in their natural habitat!

Each spring and fall, volunteers are needed at EMARC for fin clipping, egg planting, and monitoring efforts; so be sure to sign up to volunteer and receive in-depth information about our Peter Gray Parr Project!
 

You can sign up to volunteer and receive complete project information.​

Peter Gray, the legendary British fisheries biologist, created one of the most impressive wild Atlantic salmon restoration programs in the 170-year history of Atlantic salmon conservation.

Through his innovative rearing conditions in his unique stream-side hatchery, he was able to strengthen salmon for survival during their epic oceanic journey. Over three decades, Gray’s efforts increased salmon returns on England’s River Tyne from 724 to over 13,000 adults.

Peter Gray personally trained the DSF biologists working on the Peter Gray Parr Project and he was actively involved in the project’s launch in 2012.

You can download updates, white papers, project materials, and read in depth information about the hatchery processes/protocols at the link below.

 

The Pleasant River Hatchery is home to our head office at the Downeast Salmon Federation.  This facility is located on the site of an old hydroelectric dam that was removed in 1989, the project that kicked-off our river restoration efforts at DSF!

We operate a conservation hatchery and raise indigenous Atlantic salmon to stock in the Pleasant River.

Volunteers are needed every year to assist with the various processes that result in the stocking of the Pleasant!

Sign-up below to receive an informative packet and learn a little more about our efforts here at the Pleasant River Hatchery!