Monterey Bay Salmon & Trout Project

The mission of the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project is to restore declining local anadramous fishery resources, i.e., the unique races of silver and steelhead trout native to the local Monterey Bay area and to enhance the Chinook salmon populations in Monterey Bay waters.

The Project's first priority is the propagation of native species of silver salmon and steelhead trout based on watershed by watershed management plans. Wild fish are collected by trapping in local small coastal streams and rivers and then operating egg hatching and juvenile fish rearing facilities. Genetically wild fish are reared and released in the same or similar local coastal streams. This helps restore balanced and self-sustaining population levels.

An important goal of MBSTP is the reintroduction of self-sustaining population of silver salmon, now dangerously close to extinction in this region, into local coastal streams. The Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project promotes general public education and increased awareness of the value of area fishery resources. The Project works to protect and restore the land and water quality that nurture all fish and wildlife.

The MBSTP is working to build an alliance between young people and the environment to protect these native species of fish by developing and implementing Salmon and Trout Education Program (STEP) courses in elementary through high school grade levels. The Project assembles and distributes curriculum that teaches students about the life-cycle and solutions to the problems of our coastal fishery resources and aquatic habitats. The Project provides teacher training, materials, and a support network to maintain and enhance the program.