In October 2023 federal, state, and nonprofit partners launched the Connecticut River Migratory Fish Restoration Cooperative. The new Cooperative will coordinate fisheries management and restoration in the Connecticut River watershed, continuing the work of The Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Commission (CRASC). There are ten Commissioners, representing natural resource agencies in four states, two federal agencies, and governor appointed members representing the public from each state. See names of Commissioners below. The Commissioners review the status of migratory fishes and their habitats and identify management actions necessary for restoring migratory fish in the New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts Connecticut River basin. They are advised by scientific and technical committees that include experts from each of the four states and federal agencies, as well as experts from the US Forest Service and the Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office.
The technical committees evaluate the status of American shad, alewife, blueback herring, and American eel, and make recommendations to the Commissioners for improving fish populations, , and fish habitat. The commissioners and technical committees meet twice a year in spring and fall. The public is invited to all meetings. Contact Ken Sprankle (ken_sprankle@fws.gov) to be placed on an email list for notification of meetings.
