Here is how you can become involved.

Background

The Adopt-a-Fish Program is your chance to get involved in this striped bass study! It is also a way of showing that you care about striped bass and the quality of the habitat they depend upon in the Gulf of Maine.

Adopting a fish means that you will buy a tag so that we can increase the number of fish in the study.

When the tag you help purchase is implanted into a fish, you get to name that fish. Then, your name, along with your classroom, school, or company name will be displayed alongside a picture of the fish on this site. You can check back on this site any time for updates on the movement of your fish and all other adopted fish.

Although you do not need to adopt a fish to view this information, your support of this project will be seen by visitors to this site. Adopting a fish is great way to enhance distance-learning science projects, promote your organization or business, or give as a gift to the devoted angler who has everything.

Adopting a fish increases the number of fish in our program.

Please remember, though, that these are wild fish; any one may be eaten by predators or caught by fishers, or it may simply leave the area. There is no way of knowing how many times your fish will be heard; some fish may stay in the Saco River estuary and be heard daily, others may leave for months at a time or permanently. Even fish that leave the system will provide helpful information on population structure.

Each additional tagged fish living in the wild adds to our understanding of trends in fish movement and habitat use. Each tag costs $300 and can provide information for two years after activation.

Yes, I/We Want to Adopt a Striped Bass

To adopt a striped bass, please follow the Instructions for Adopt A Fish (pdf).