EAST MACHIAS (AP) — A Maine conservation organization says its effort to release more than 140,000 juvenile Atlantic salmon will help restore the fish’s run to the East Machias River.

The Downeast Salmon Federation released the juvenile salmon into the river and many streams throughout the East Machias River watershed. The organization says the fish were raised at an East Machias hatchery. A scientist with the hatchery says the facility uses dark colored tanks to give the fish a “darker, more natural color” that allows them to blend in with their surroundings in the river.

The salmon are about two to four inches in length when released.

This is the third year the salmon federation has under taken the project.