All Saints Seventh Graders in Bangor Release Nearly 200 Atlantic Salmon into Kenduskeag

BANGOR---“They see they can really make a difference by helping to restore the population and being a part of our Maine outdoors.”

Vanessa Rehmeyer, a middle school science teacher at All Saints Catholic School, is understandably proud at the way in which her seventh graders enthusiastically participated in the school’s salmon release project, a program that drew to this year’s conclusion on Friday with the delivery of nearly 200 Atlantic salmon into the Kenduskeag Stream (additional pictures below).

From watching the eggs develop in a large fish tank at the school to completing “Fishy Friday” assignments along the way, each student graphed, documented, and researched their way to the happy release on May 19.

“Seeing how they developed and grew and seeing the different stages of their life cycle, it’s just been really fun to know that we can save them and help them get to a future stage in life,” said Quinn, one of the students. “It’s really important.”

The species the class raised is from the Gulf of Maine population of Atlantic salmon, which is endangered. Atlantic salmon begin their life cycle in rivers and eventually undergo a physiological change that allows them to live in salt water. Salmon used to be abundant in Maine rivers but due to dams, overfishing, and other factors, yearly salmon returns have dropped to 1% of the original population counts. All Saints Catholic School collaborates with the Fish Friends Program which provides materials and mentoring to schools around Maine and is now coordinated by the Maine Outdoor School team of the Maine Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation.