Eelgrass populations have been in decline over the past decade at Hadley Point. In 1996, aerial photography done by the Maine Department of Marine Resources revealed eelgrass coverage at Hadley Point to be in the range of 60-80%. 2005 Underwater videotaping of the ocean bottom by the Maine Department of Marine Resources revealed eelgrass coverage at Hadley Point in the range of 10-15%. Recent underwater videotaping done by scientists and interns at the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory has indicated that the coverage is even lower than that. Eelgrass decline may be due to water quality issues or physical disturbances.

        Eelgrass beds create a healthy habitat for a diversity of marine organisms, including serving as a nursery for larval forms and providing protection for economically significant species, such as flounder and cod. Eelgrass helps curb erosion by stabilizing fine sediments and may improve water quality by filtering excess nutrients from runoff.

        In July , a diverse group of partners joined together in the largest eelgrass restoration effort the state of Maine has ever seen. The restoration effort was a project of the Bar Harbor Marine Resources Committee in collaboration with the MDI Water Quality Coalition, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, and College of the Atlantic. The project would not have been possible without the resources and support of MDI Biological Laboratory. Among the significant contributions of the laboratory was the ongoing use of the dock and the laboratory boat the Fundulus for monitoring purposes and transportation. Dr. George Kidder, a senior scientist at the lab and eelgrass restoration project manager, served as the captain of the vessel. The Community Environmental Health Laboratory provided staging space and water monitoring capabilities throughout the duration of the project. MDIBL has also contributed funds and space for public outreach and education.   The next steps in the eelgrass restoration project are continued water quality studies and eelgrass monitoring at Hadley Point.

How We Restored Eelgrass at Hadley Point

1: Harvested eelgrass from another location near Hadley Point.

2: Secured eelgrass to wire frames weighted with bricks.

3: Lowered eelgrass on frames into restoration area.

A Collaborative Project of : • Bar Harbor Marine Resources Committee • MDI Water Quality Coalition • MDI Biological Laboratory • College of the Atlantic • Maine Sea Grant • Aquaculture Harvesters • Maine Mussel Harvesters Association • Bagaduce River Watershed Association
Funded in part by the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment