Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

Founded in 1976, the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project (MBSTP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and enhancement of the native salmon and steelhead populations of the greater Monterey Bay area.

To accomplish the goals of the MBS&TP has developed three major programs:

• Coho Salmon and Steelhead
• Chinook Salmon Enhancement
• Salmon and Trout Education (STEP)

Coho Salmon and Steelhead

The MBSTP operates a hatchery and rearing facility to supplement natural production which has been reduced due to habitat degradation. One objective of this program is the reintroduction of native steelhead and especially Coho (silver) salmon into local stream where they were historically present. The MBSTP assists the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) in research addressing current limiting factors, such as the elimination of certain diseases endemic to the habitat.  To date the MBSTP has released over 1.9 million Coho salmon and steelhead into area streams from whence they out migrate to the ocean and grow naturally into maturity.

Chinook Salmon Enhancement

The MBSTP operates salt-water net pens in Moss Landing and Monterey harbors to acclimate Chinook salmon fingerlings obtained from the Feather River Hatchery into the ocean.  The objective of this program is to reduce fish losses during out migration thereby increasing the numbers of Chinook salmon available in Monterey Bay for sport and commercial fishery. As of June 2004, the MBSTP has released 2 million Chinook salmon into the Monterey Bay.

Salmon and Trout Education (STEP)

The MBSTP currently supports the STEP program in over 155 classrooms from San Bruno to Gonzales (elementary through high school grade levels). The purpose of this program is to develop awareness of the life cycle and habitat requirements of our local salmon and steelhead. To this end the Project has developed and distributed class curricula, trained teachers, and provided continuing support including eyed steelhead eggs for rearing in classroom aquarium. To date approximately 150,000 students have participated in this program.

Funding Shortfall

During the life of the MBSTP, the CDFG provided substantial financial support. In recent years CDFG budgets have been severely cut with corresponding reductions in what they have provided to the MBS&TP. In 2003, the Governor's office vetoed the entire MBSTP appropriation. Subsequent action by the Commercial Salmon Stamp Committee provided only partial funding for the 2004 Chinook Salmon Program. However, support for the Project's three major programs came from the MBSTP treasury. As a non-profit MBSTP relies on the generosity of the community, especially in light of the state's funding cut-backs. Major increased support from the community is needed to offset the CDFG shortfall.  Without this increased community contribution, the very existence of the MBSTP is in question.