A report released last week by the nonprofit group Friends of the Presumpscot River boosts the argument for restoring fish passage along the river, stating more fish means more economic benefits.

The report, compiled and written by Rachel Bouvier, a resource economist and group board member, names communities in Maine and Massachusetts as examples of places where restoring fish passage for native fish has resulted in “increased tourism revenue and property values.”

According to board member Dusti Faucher, the report had been in the works for several months, but the group thought the timeliness of its release was significant given the recent remarks from Westbrook Assistant City Administrator Bill Baker made public last week.

In an email to Mayor Colleen Hilton in February, which was a mock reply to group president Michael Shaughnessy about an art project, Baker joked that Sappi Fine Paper was spending “$7 million to help 7 fish” get over Saccarappa Falls.

Faucher said Friday that given Baker’s “disparaging” comments regarding fish passage, the group felt the report was even more important to get in the hands of the public.

“This report will help residents appreciate what a restored fishery could mean economically to Westbrook and upriver communities,” said Faucher in a press release about the report last week. “For those who question the economic value to Westbrook of having effective fish passage at the Saccarappa dam site, this report should make for interesting reading. Residents and officials might want to examine what has happened in other Maine and New England communities, like Damariscotta, as set out in our report.”

Faucher said the organization has received statistics from Sappi that 9,000 river herring traveled over the fish ladder at Cumberland Mills in 2014, and that large birds, including bald eagles, have been spotted in the area as a result of the fish.

The report highlights places in Maine, such as Damariscotta Mills, which is home to the oldest fish ladder in the state. The ladder attracts thousands of visitors a year for educational programs for students and an annual alewife festival.

In Benton, an annual alewife festival began in 2012, which features an underwater camera feed of migrating alewife, fly-fishing demonstrations and an alewife chowder contest.

Bouvier’s report concludes saying that restoring the native fish run on the Presumpscot River will have multiple benefits.

“Increased revenue for local businesses from tourism and fishing; heightened quality of life and civic pride for residents; and enhanced natural beauty and ecological quality,” she said.