The Nashua National Fish Hatchery supports the restoration of Atlantic salmon in central New England by providing salmon eggs for program needs. Eggs are obtained from adult sea run Atlantic salmon captured in the Merrimack River, and from domestic broodstock maintained at the hatchery. They are shipped to the North Attleboro NFH where they are incubated, hatched and transported to the headwaters of the rivers where they are released as unfed fry. Each year the Nashua NFH utilizes approximately 3,500 Atlantic salmon for egg production. Once spawned, most of these fish are released into New England waters. In New Hampshire the retired spawners are released into the Merrimack River for the largest directed Atlantic salmon fishery in New England. The program was designed by the Merrimack River Policy Committee to provide data on fish movement, habitat preference, and to provide recreational angling opportunities. The released fish can also migrate to the Atlantic Ocean and return to the river to spawn and once again contribute to the program.