ELLSWORTH — Downeast Trout Unlimited presents The Friends of Taunton Bay (FTB) president Alice Noyes and retired Maine DEP biologist Mark Whiting for an overview of water quality research in Taunton Bay, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. Rescheduled from November, this hybrid meeting will be in person Moore Community Center, 125 State St., and via Zoom.

The tidal estuaries of Taunton Bay, one of 14 places in Maine granted special protection by the US Department of Interior, provide spawning habitat for diadromous fish including alewives and eels. Several streams harbor brook trout populations. The bay supports fisheries of clams and lobsters, and sea run fish alewives and smelt; as well as oyster aquaculture and seaweed harvesting.
 
A concern for the effects of climate change and recently proposed development around the bay led FTB to establish a water quality monitoring program to determine the current health of the bay, track changes, and influence public policy affecting the bay. Mark will summarize the findings from the first year of research. FTB formed in 1990 to help manage and protect Taunton Bay and the surrounding watershed. Alice will outline their mission to promote the health and biological diversity of the bay ecosystem through education, advocacy, research, and collaboration with other organizations. More information about FTB can be found at FriendsofTauntonBay.org.

DETU meetings are free and open to the public. 

Register in advance: register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87321895562?pwd=ME9ZbVQ4OW9jRHFjeE5uSzNRdEZ5Zz09; or contact Tammy Packie at tpackie@gmail.com for information.

Membership is open to all, go to tu.org/intro to join and use chapter code 305 for Downeast Trout Unlimited.  

Trout Unlimited is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and conservation of North American cold water fish species. Downeast Trout Unlimited (DETU) is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring Maine’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds.

For more information contact Tammy Packie, at tpackie@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page Downeast TU: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Downeast-TU/