BANGOR, Maine — After making a return in June for the first time since 2011, the Atlantic salmon is still showing up in the Penobscot River.
The Bangor Daily News reports the fish are showing up at the Milford Dam fish trap, where they're being counted by Maine Department of Marine Resources staffers.
Jason Valliere, a marine resources scientist for the agency, says the biggest salmon return in the past eight years continues to grow, with a total estimated trap return of 1,170.
The salmon's return to the river generates a lot of attention from conservationists because the fish are considered endangered by the federal government.
Since a historic low of 255 salmon recorded in 2014, an average of 701 fish have returned to the Penobscot each year before this year's upward trend.
Salmon-related stories on NEWSCENTERmaine.com:
- Group to release thousands of rare salmon in Maine river
- Unused Ellsworth dam to be demolished to allow fish passage
- Wild Salmon group says it found more than 50 fish farm escapees
- Dam project to open river for more fish, beautify village
- Environment concerns add new species to US overfished list
- Group says Atlantic salmon catch hits all-time low