THE STATE OF THE PROJECT
By Allen Smith, Board Chairman
Here, for your interest, is a status of our more significant activities in year 2004.
A. Construction Completion Status of Kingfisher Flat Anadramous Fish Rearing & Research Facility
- Full reconstruction of our facility from massive flood damage inflicted by winter storms of 1998/1999 was put on hold in late 1999 due to various reasons, including coho salmon and steelhead rearing regulatory restraints, as discussed by me in this column in several previous newsletters.
- Major issues were overcome and resolved in late summer of 2003, and MBSTP resumed major efforts to complete the facility reconstruction. The vast majority of work was completed this year, including correction of various existing electrical problems discovered while we were performing reconstruction activities. Included in the reconstruction was the installation of a new water filtration system. Some work is continuing to complete this task.
- A new Coho Captive Broodstock Rearing Facility (CCBRF) has taken longer to complete than previously estimated. Also a new separate water filtration system is being added to improve rearing efficiency and effectiveness.
- We are now in the process of expanding our coho salmon fry rearing capability in the hatchery building by approximately 60% with the addition of 6 new deep-rearing troughs.
- My deepest thanks to many volunteers (and their families) for providing literally several thousand man-hours of work to perform the reconstruction and new project efforts.
B. Permit Application for trapping, rearing, and planting of coho and steelhead during the 2004/2005 season.
MBSTP submitted the Permit Application to the CDFG in July of 2004. Although some additional streams were discussed in April with the CDFG & NOAA Fisheries, the CDFG rejected our July 2004 Permit request to add additional streams to our restoration plans. They cited that there was no present restoration need as determined from CDFG et al fish population surveys on these additional streams. These issues were discussed again at the September 21, 2004 Technical Oversight Committee (TOC) meeting with the result of no change in the Regulator’s position. MBSTP finally received an approved Permit Application from the CDFG in late November of 2004. At the present time, CDFG & NOAA fisheries continue not to grant us an approval to collect any adult steelhead broodstock for fish population restoration efforts in Corralitos and Browns Valley Creeks.
Since 1976 we have reared and released over 1,950,000 coho and steelhead smolts into local and regional streams.
C. Chinook Program Status
During year 2004, MBSTP acclimated and released over 245,800 Chinook smolts into the Monterey Bay. Since 1991, we have reared and released over 1,661,000 Chinook salmon smolts into Monterey Bay waters.
This year we have experienced a significant drop in contribution funds to MBSTP from various sources, including funds from businesses and from private individuals. With the completion of our construction projects in 2005, we may be facing the paradoxical dilemma of having one of the best salmonid fish rearing and research facilities on the west coast and possibly not having enough funding to cover our future operations costs. In comparison to other fisheries programs and facilities in California, we strive to keep our operations costs much lower than other fisheries programs. We have been told by many officials that our costs per salmonid fish reared are much lower than other similar programs. To date, we have been able to keep our costs low mainly due to the fact that we have such great volunteer fish care help.
In spite of our very effective cost control efforts, we must face the reality that we are all going to have to seek after and provide more funding support to cover our operating costs in the future. If we are not able to obtain greater public and business funding support, we will most likely have no other option but to cease our operations and close down the Project. Please see the article on this issue in this Newsletter by our Treasurer, Larry Wolf.
Again I want to take the opportunity to thank all of the great organizations, groups, businesses, and individuals who continue to support our salmonid programs and are keeping us going and alive! Our
continuing thanks to The David & Lucile Packard Foundation; Fish & Game Advisory Commissions of Monterey, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties;
commercial Salmon Stamp Committee; Scotts Creek Watershed Council; Santa Cruz Port District; Moss Landing Harbor District.
My special thanks to the great crowd of our supporters who turned out at our 27th Annual Albacore Dinner in November at Castroville. This event is one of our largest annual fund raisers, and it turned out very well. Back
By Dave Streig Once again the holiday season is upon us, and we are into our busiest time of the year. The annual fin clip party Saturday, December 4th, is when we get our most accurate count of fish on hand, to be able to make plans for March plantings. Hopefully the heavy rains will begin soon, opening the sand bars at the creek mouths, and allowing Coho salmon and Steelhead adults to spawn. We expect the large year class of Coho salmon to be returning to the streams from mid-December through February. Plans are to spawn only a few captive Coho broodstock females this season because of the anticipated high return of Coho salmon occurring on Scotts, Waddell, and Gazos Creeks. With a good return of wild Coho, the adults from the captive broodstock will be released into Pescadero and Aptos Creeks at the appropriate time, to spawn in the unutilized habitat. This will begin a two pronged approach for reintroduction of Coho into these streams. Smolts produced from the year’s spawning of Coho salmon will be released next year into these streams, as well as into Scotts, Waddell, and Gazos Creeks, or any other local creeks designated by the Coho Recovery Team. At the present time we have completed the construction of the new Captive Coho Broodstock Facility and the replacement of the raceway shade cloth and bird netting. We are still in the midst of Hatchery renovations to double the production capability for the Coho salmon, in order to meet the goals established in the Coho Recovery Plan. We would like to thank the Packard Foundation again, for funding the purchase of the new deep Coho troughs and the new automatic sediment filtration system for the Hatchery. Thanks are also due to the numerous volunteers who have dedicated thousands of hours to our many operations, which include the trapping, spawning, rearing and planting our native salmon and steelhead. We also must thank the researchers and staff of NOAA Fisheries Santa Cruz Lab and the California Department of Fish and Game for their continued support of the cooperative restoration program founded 29 years ago. We recently had a minor catastrophe at the Hatchery. The 220 electric dryer has just died. With the spawning season rapidly approaching, we are in need of another dryer. During the fish spawning process we generate piles of wet towels that will need to be dried. If you have a good electric dryer you would like to donate, please call the Hatchery at: 831-458-3095. Also needed are the lids from 2-lb.coffee cans. These will be used for the automatic feeders in the Hatchery. Thank you for all of your continued support. Back
SAVE OUR SHORES TOASTS S.T.E.P. TEACHERS AS COAST STEWARDS
By Sharron Walker
On Saturday, June 5, Save our Shores in Half Moon Bay hosted a Toast to Coastal Stewards, an event honoring youth, educators and community members from Pescadero to Pacifica who have promoted the spirit and significance of the coast and ocean. Among those recognized were STEP Educators from the Cabrillo School District in Half Moon Bay: Ann Mangold, Hatch Elementary, and Mardee Schweikert, El Granda Elementary, and from the Pacifica School District, educator Sharron Walker. Also, Zoey Tempeste, of El Granda Elementary, was honored for her student leadership in the STEP Program. Mangold and Walker have supported the STEP program since the early 90s and were instrumental in bringing the Salmon and Trout Education Program to the San Mateo County Coast. The Toast to Coastal Stewards was organized by Susan Danielson, Northern Program Director, of Save Our Shores. This event featured not only the awards ceremony, it included educational stations from various organizations including American Cetacean Society, Coyote Point Museum, Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch and a number of others. Dr. Carole C. Baldwin, Marine Biologist and Museum Specialist at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and author of One Fish, Two Fish, Bluefish, Crawfish: The Smithsonian Sustainable Seafood Cookbook gave an informative talk on sustainable seafood. The event was well attended by the coastal community who also enjoyed the wonderful sustainable Cuisine Buffet prepared by Kevin Koebel, Executive Chef at Rogue Chefs Culinary Company & Market. The event was sponsored in part by Surfrider Foundation, San Mateo County Chapter, San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program, California Canoe and Kayak, Coldwell Banker, Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, Hallcrest Vineyards, Moon News BookStore, Open Ocean Surfing, Smithsonian Books and the Organic Wine Works. This event was a definite salute to coastal stewardship in youth, education and the community and Save Our Shores is saluted for their mission to protect and conserve the marine ecosystems of California’s central coast for all generations. If you would like more information about Save Our Shores go to:
www saveourshores.org or call 650 359-8652 Back
By Dave Parker and Larry Wolf
Once again Dave Parker and I, as well as four of our friends, traveled down to Baja California Sur to fish the East Cape staying at Hotel Buena Vista. Last year was a great trip and we all had high expectations for another banner year. Since there was very little albacore fishing in our area during the summer and fall, we were all hoping for a good tuna turnout as well as to catch some Dorado. With luck, maybe we would also catch a Sailfish or Marlin. We left San Francisco on Oct. 17th on a direct flight to San Jose Del Cabo Airport. Upon arrival we caught a shuttle to the hotel, and within 2 hours were in the pool with our welcome margarita in hand, listening to fish tales. Full of enthusiasm, we headed to our rooms to get all of our tackle together. Before dinner that night, we sat down with Angel to schedule our boat and crew for the next morning. Dinner that night was traditional Mexican fare, and then it was early to bed for all, as breakfast would be served before dawn the next morning. Dave highly recommends their Spanish omelette, which they will make to order for you. Fishing was good the first day out. Kathy, my sister Ginny, and I were on the Vanessa, with Dave Parker, Deever Jenkins and his son Jeremiah aboard the Iliana. Both boats are 29 ft. with flying bridges. That first day of fishing produced 6 Dorado and 8 tuna. We also caught some red snapper and other very large rock fish. Returning from fishing that day, we sent a portion of our catch to kitchen, to be prepared for dinner that evening.
For the second day of fishing we headed off shore about 25 miles, locating porpoise and tuna in large numbers. We ended that day with 14 tuna and 3 Dorado. Six skip jack, some tuna and white bonita had to be released. Dave Parker and his crew brought in a dozen tuna and a sailfish. The fish had been thick, and spread over five miles.
Wednesday was just about the same. We caught a dozen tuna, keeping 8 and releasing 4. Dave and his crew ended up with 6 very big tuna and 2 Dorado. That evening we dined on a mixed grill of tuna and Dorado. On the fourth day Dave fished with Deever and Jeremiah. Kathy, my sister Ginny, and I went to the National Marine Park at Cabo Pulmo for lunch, and to check out this area known as a world class diving and snorkeling destination. We had rented a car and braved the dirt roads, our reward being beautiful vistas of the Sea of Cortes around every turn in the road. Dave and his crew caught 4 large tuna and 2 sailfish that day. Friday Dave, Deever, his son Jeremiah and my sister headed home. Kathy and I stayed for one last day of fishing. However, the weather turned, became a little rough and the fish went down. We knew where they were, but the winds were too high for a good troll. We ended up with two well earned tuna. All I can say is that we are already planning our next trip. If you are planning on fishing down in Mexico next year or just thinking about trying the fishing in Baja, I highly recommend the Hotel Buena Vista. Each year our fishing vacations are an exciting adventure, and there is always something new to explore. For more information, contact Dave Parker at 831-475-3355 or myself at 831-688-4257. The Hotel Buena Vista is a valued supporter of our hatchery. You can always count on a wonderful vacation and excellent service when you stay at the Hotel Buena Vista in East Cape, Baja California Sur.
Back
Last Updated (Monday, 13 July 2009 21:51)
|
Archives
