Preseason Report II Proposed Alternatives and Environmental Assessment Part 2 for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (PRE II)

Pacific Fishery Management Council | March 21st, 2019

Preseason Report III Council Adopted Management Measures and Environmental Assessment Part 3 for 2019 Ocean Salmon Fishery Regulations (PRE III)

Pacific Fishery Management Council | April 30th, 2019

Proposal for a Revised ITL and Expected Take for Adult Delta Smelt

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | July 29th, 2014

The 2008 USFWS Incidental Take Level (ITL) calculation determines the amount of annual delta smelt salvage allowed to be taken by the State Water Project (SWP) an

The 2008 USFWS Incidental Take Level (ITL) calculation determines the amount of annual delta smelt salvage allowed to be taken by the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) during operating conditions expected under Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) thresholds. There is an ITL for adult and juvenile delta smelt. Using advances in statistical models, data sources, and overall improved knowledge of entrainment dynamics, we offer a robust approach for calculating a revised ITL and accompanying expected take method under the RPA for the SWP and CVP that remains protective of the species while providing improved flexibility for managing water operations.

Proposal for Calculating Cumulative Salvage Index Values Used For Estimating Take Likely to Occur under the USFWS Old and Middle River Flow RPA for Adult Delta Smelt

Delta Stewardship Council (Delta Council) | September 19th, 2014

The objectives of this paper are to provide a rationale why the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Incidental Take Statement should include more year

The objectives of this paper are to provide a rationale why the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Incidental Take Statement should include more years in its calculation of anticipated incidental take of adult delta smelt under the 2008 Biological Opinion with the Reasonable and Prudent Alternative (RPA) action to avoid jeopardy to the species and adverse modification of critical habitat and provide a statistical method by which this can be achieved.

Quantification of pre-screen loss of juvenile steelhead in Clifton Court Forebay

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) | August 26th, 2008

Rapid decline of California’s native inland fishes: a status assessment

University of California, Davis (UC Davis) | November 1st, 2010

Degradation of freshwater ecosystems is a global crisis best understood through intensive study of well-studied regional faunas. A quantitative protocol was used

Degradation of freshwater ecosystems is a global crisis best understood through intensive study of well-studied regional faunas. A quantitative protocol was used to determine conservation status of all 129 freshwater fishes native to California. Seven (5%) are extinct; 34 (26%) qualified for listing as endangered or threatened species; 32 (25%) were rated as imperiled, qualifying as California Species of Special Concern, with potential for listing; 34 (26%) rated being on a watch list and 22 (17%) were found to be relatively secure. Of 31 species officially listed under federal and state endangered species acts, 17 (55%) clearly qualified for listing under our criteria and 12 (39%) were rated as species of special concern. Conversely, of 34 extant species with the lowest ratings under our criteria, only 17 (50%) were officially listed. Climate change, area occupied and anthropogenic threats had the largest negative impact on status. Of the 15 categories of anthropogenic threats analyzed, those most likely to diminish status were alien species, agriculture and dams. Overall, 83% of California’s freshwater fishes are extinct, endangered, or in decline, a 16% increase since 1995 and a 21% increase since 1989. The decline seen in California’s inland fishes is probably typical of declines in areas that are less well documented, indicating a strong need for better methods of conservation of freshwater ecosystems.

Recent declines in salmon body size impact ecosystems and fisheries

Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) | August 19th, 2020

Declines in animal body sizes are widely reported and likely impact ecological interactions and ecosystem services. For harvested species subject to multiple stressors, l

Declines in animal body sizes are widely reported and likely impact ecological interactions and ecosystem services. For harvested species subject to multiple stressors, limited understanding of the causes and consequences of size declines impedes prediction, prevention, and mitigation. We highlight widespread declines in Pacific salmon size based on 60 years of measurements from 12.5 million fish across Alaska, the last largely pristine North American salmon-producing region. Declines in salmon size, primarily resulting from shifting age structure, are associated with climate and competition at sea. Compared to salmon maturing before 1990, the reduced size of adult salmon after 2010 has potentially resulted in substantial losses to ecosystems and people; for Chinook salmon we estimated average per-fish reductions in egg production (−16%), nutrient transport (−28%), fisheries value (−21%), and meals for rural people (−26%). Downsizing of organisms is a global concern, and current trends may pose substantial risks for nature and people.

Recovery plan for Central Valley winter-run chinook salmon, spring-run chinook salmon, and steelhead

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) | July 7th, 2014

Recovery is the process by which listed species and their ecosystems are restored and their future is safeguarded to the point that protections under the Endangered Speci

Recovery is the process by which listed species and their ecosystems are restored and their future is safeguarded to the point that protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are no longer needed. The goal of this Recovery Plan is to recover the endangered Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU), the threatened Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon ESU, and the threatened California Central Valley steelhead Distinct Population Segment (DPS). Recovering these species and the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary, and Pacific Ocean ecosystems that support them will be challenging and will require shifts in societal values. Californians must work together towards a conservation ethic and practice that ensures wild salmon and steelhead are an important part of coastal California and Central Valley culture for many generations to come.

Recovery Plan for Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta native fishes

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) | November 26th, 1996

Eight fish species are included in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Native Fishes Recovery Plan. The delta smelt is listed as a threatened species. The Sacramento splitta

Eight fish species are included in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Native Fishes Recovery Plan. The delta smelt is listed as a threatened species. The Sacramento splittail (splittail) was proposed as a threatened species on January 6, 1994. This recovery plan will recommend restoration criteria for the splittail that would be appropriate recovery criteria should the species be listed. Longfin smelt, green sturgeon, spring-run, late fall-run, and San Joaquin fall-run chinook salmon are species of concern for which restoration criteria are recommended. Information is also included on Sacramento perch, a species believed to be extirpated from the Delta at this time. Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: The eight species included in this recovery plan depend on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta for a significant segment of their life history. Threats to the Delta ecosystem and these species include loss of habitat due to increased freshwater exports resulting in increased salinity, loss of shallow-water habitat due to dredging, diking and filling, introduced aquatic species that have disrupted the food chain, and entrainment (movement offish by currents produced by diversions) in State, Federal and private water diversion. State and Federal water projects have also changed the pattern and timing of flows through the Delta. The salmon races are affected by sport and commercial harvest as well as by interactions with hatchery stocks. Recovery and Restoration Objective: Delisting of delta smelt. Restoration of splittail, longfin smelt, green sturgeon, spring-run, late fall-run, San Joaquin fall-run chinook salmon, and Sacramento perch. Recovery and Restoration Criteria: Recovery criteria are quantifiable and species specific and can be used to (1) monitor effectiveness of recovery actions, (2) determine when a species has recovered to a secure level (stabilized), and (3) determine when a species qualifies for delisting. In many cases, criteria are based on two independent measures: population abundance and geographic distribution. For each species a historic base period was established using available data to characterize abundance and distribution during a pre-decline period. The time period over which abundance and distribution criteria must be met was set at five generations. For five of the eight species there is an additional requirement of meeting the criteria through a minimum number of years of stressful environmental conditions. Action Needed: 1. Enhance and restore aquatic and wetland habitat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River estuary. 2. Reduce effects of commercial and recreational harvest. 3. Reduce effects of introduced aquatic species on Delta native fishes. 4. Change and improve enforcement ofregulatory mechanisms. 5. Conduct monitoring and research on fish biology and management requirements. 6. Assess recovery management actions and re-assess prioritization of actions. 7. Increase public awareness of importance of Delta native fishes.

Relationship of Delta Cross Channel Gate Operations to Loss of Juvenile Winter-run Chinook Salmon at the CVP/SWP Delta Facilities

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) | July 1st, 2003

Winter-run Chinook salmon are distinguishable from the three other Chinook runs in the Sacramento River system by the timing of their upstream migration and spawning. Due

Winter-run Chinook salmon are distinguishable from the three other Chinook runs in the Sacramento River system by the timing of their upstream migration and spawning. Due to precipitous decline in the population from the late 1960’s through the late 1980’s, NOAA Fisheries listed the run as “threatened” in August 1989, and subsequently reclassified the run as “endangered” in 1992. The state of California listed the run as endangered in 1989.  Many factors contributed to the decline in the winter-run Chinook population. Among these factors, operation of the federal Central Valley Project and State Water Project has had continuing impacts on winter-run Chinook. Of particular concern have been the direct entrainment losses of juvenile winter-run Chinook at the project export facilities in the Delta.