Passamaquoddy Lands Get First State Heritage Fish Signs

The Maine State Heritage Fish informational sign initiative has been NFC’s largest volunteer effort to date, and the biggest project of its kind we are aware of. In less than three years, members of NFC and volunteers have posted on 432 signs on 301 waters, most of which are off-the-grid, many of which are accessible by trail only, and some of which are trailless.

As part of the project, NFC worked with the Passamaquoddy Tribe of Indian Township to develop a custom sign in tribal colors with a tribal seal that recognizes their jurisdiction over and stewardship of the land. These signs were delivered to the tribe in late 2019 by NFC, but like everything else, went on hold due to COVID. Below left is NFC National Vice Chair Emily Bastian with tribal Fish & Game biology and law enforcement personnel, to the right is Emily with Chief William J. Nicholas Sr.

With things finally returning to normal, John Sewell, tribal Wildlife Biologist, and Joe Musante, tribal Water Resources Biologist, took to the woods in June and posted custom SHF signs on three tribal-owned waters. They also fished while they were there…