Aquatic Biologist: Kirstin Underwood
Email: kunderwood@wabanaki.com
Phone: (207) 853-5181
Fax: (207) 853-2481
The Environmental Scientist manages various environmental and fisheries related grants and projects. This position will conduct scientific studies related to understanding the state of the environment as it relates to the fishery. This work will assist the tribe with development of management and restoration policies for diadromous and marine fish species within tribal and adjacent waters. The Environmental Scientist will interface with state and federal scientists and managers to help the tribe with the development of effective, sustainable policies for harvest and restoration of marine resources traditionally important to the Passamaquoddy.
This Fisheries Department is created by the tribe in the exercise of its sovereign authority to govern fisheries and other internal matters of the Passamaquoddy tribe and are intended to ensure the protection of the marine environment, its resource and inherent rights of tribal members to engage in the harvesting of marine resources in a manner which will:
Maintain cultural and historic subsistence, ceremonial and commercial hunting, fishing and gathering of marine resources by tribal members;
Provide for the immediate and long term cultural, economic and social interests and needs of tribal members and future generations;
Cooperate with Tribal, Canadian, American, State, Provincial and Municipal authorities in the conservation and protection of the marine environment and its resources through safe and responsible harvesting practices.
Kirstin is implementing a multi-year EPA research grant studying PFAS and other contaminants in the Skutik and Boyden Stream watershed. Current PFAS measurements in these waterways are very limited. A more comprehensive assessment of food sources is needed to inform the health of tribal members and non-tribal populations that depend on subsistence and recreational fisheries as critical food sources. This project examines the link between Peskotomuhkati sustenance pathways and river health by assessing contamination in key fisheries and waterways important to sustenance practices. The project will span at least 3 years and focus on man-made chemicals, specifically PFAS and heavy metals, in watersheds and fish species that are important for Tribal sustenance.
RFP006-2026#: – Request For Proposal
The Passamaquoddy Tribal Government (PTG) at Pleasant Point,
through the Sipayik Environmental Department, is currently
accepting proposals from firms/contractors to install a ventilation
system and set up a hardwired electrical connection for a chemical
fume hood at the Sipayik Environmental Department Lab, 367
County Road, Pleasant Point, ME.
Link to full RFP Here