Document Type

Article

Title

Fisheries Then: Alewives and Blueback Herring

Authors

Juila Beaty, University of Maine

Editor

Chris Bartlett

Dan Kircheis

Publication Title

Downeast Fisheries Trail website

Publisher

Maine Sea Grant College Program

Rights and Access Note

Rights assessment remains the responsibility of the researcher. No known restrictions on publication.

Publication Date

2014

Publisher location

Orono, ME

Abstract/ Summary

The term “river herring” collectively refers to two species: Alosa pseudoharengus, commonly known as alewife, and the closely related Alosa aestivalis, commonly known as blueback herring, or simply bluebacks. Fishermen in Maine often use the word “alewife” to refer to both alewives and bluebacks.

Each spring streams, rivers, and ponds in Downeast Maine fill with adult alewives, ready to spawn. This seasonal influx represented a major link between freshwater and marine ecosystems, and historically provided an important food source for Wabanaki peoples and European settlers.

Repository Citation

Beaty, Juila, "Fisheries Then: Alewives and Blueback Herring" (2014). Maine Sea Grant Publications. 71.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/seagrant_pub/71

Version

publisher's version of the published document