Seeqanamâhsak
River Herring / Alewife
The Alliance is working diligently to improve local native alewife populations. Learn more and get involved below!
River herring populations have declined (an estimated 99.7%) due to habitat loss associated with dams, road crossings and other development activities, overfishing as a direct fishery and as bycatch, pollution, and other factors.
River herring are a key species in the ecosystem because they tie our ocean, rivers and lakes together, providing vital nutrients and forage needed to make healthy watersheds. Seeqanamâhsak provide food for countless native species, including eagles, osprey, striped bass, and humans. Every year, River Herring are able to find their way home to the exact freshwater pond where they were born after three years of maturing in the ocean, thanks to their remarkable sens of smell/taste. These beings are crucial to the health of the watersheds they are a part of, so we've put together a program for monitoring their presence in the Mystic River Watershed and hope you will get involved by joining the next Alewife Count.
2026 Alewife Count Coming Soon!
March- early May, every year
All you need to know before you go:
Where You'll Go:
Taking Water Temperature:
Counting:
Leaving the lot:
To Enter Your Fish Count Data:
We recommend using the Survey 123 App if you're using a phone to enter you data. If you're using a computer, use this button link:
Curious About Alewife and Want to Learn More?
Here are a few resources:
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Insightful Research from Connecticut Fish Biologist Kevin Job:
double click on the slides to learn more:
