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By Allen Smith, Board Chairman Spring is here in full array with nature doing her thing all around and in the local streams and at our hatchery. Times are busy and exciting with MBS&TP activities as well. This summer the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning to implement the so called 4(d) rules of the Environmental Species Act (ESA). These rules are designed to add substantial new protection for threatened salmonid species such as steelhead trout. The implementation of these new rules could significantly affect our present methods and procedures of performing fish culture, and very likely affect the arrangement and physical makeup of our Kingfisher Flat Rearing Facility on Big creek. In anticipation of these probable requirement changes, I am working with a team of MBS&TP volunteers and some members of the Scott Creek Watershed Council to generate a substantial grant proposal (The Pacific Coast Salmonid Recovery Fund) to underwrite the very significant modifications and upgrades necessary to perform fish culture and rearing activities under the new rules. The proposal effort itself is a very large task, and I thank all the members of our team for their vigorous continuing efforts. A couple of new activities are in our near term future. For the first time in our Project history we are now performing a captive coho broodstock rearing program in collaboration with NMFS and CDF&G. The mission is to rear about 300 coho smolts from our 1999/2000 inventory to adulthood in a seawater environment, and then spawn some of them at our Kingfisher Facility. The remaining coho adults will be released into local streams for natural spawning. This may be one of the most important ways to stop and turn around the severe decrease in the local coho populations. The other new activity will involve the expansion of our chinook salmon enhancement program to include acclimation and rearing in a new net pen facility to be located in Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor in 2001. This new facility will potentially double our chinook smolt output to about 240,000 chinook smolts per year to be released into Monterey Bay waters. Our reconstruction efforts to recover from the devastating storm damage in 1998 are proceeding reasonably well. However, the largest remaining task of repairing all of the structures, netting, and shade cloth surrounding the raceways is on hold, pending the requirements fallout from the 4(d) rules implementation. We received somewhat of a recovery setback on Valentines Day this past February when huge runoff from an enormous rain caused trees, stumps, and logs to come to our Kingfisher Flat facility and form a dam completely across Big Creek. Severe bank erosion occurred on our side of the Creek adjacent to the hatchery and emergency generator buildings. Although no damage to our structures occurred, a substantial bank repair is required to protect our facilities from future catastrophic damage. On a sad note, one of our greatest volunteers, Bob Montgomery, will be moving to northern California this summer. Bob has been our key representative for our various South Bay activities. It will be very difficult to replace Bobâs outstanding service to us, but I know that other volunteers will ably fill the roles that Bob leaves behind. We wish the very best to Bob in his northern California fishing retirement. We very much appreciate the excellent funding commitments from CDF&G and private industry grants for our Salmon & Trout Education Program (STEP) 2000/2001 activities . Also we continue to be deeply grateful to the following organizations and groups for their financial support of the ongoing restoration and operation of our fish rearing facilities.
Hatchery Managers Report We have come a long way and seen numerous changes in all areas of our hatchery production and planting since our first fish were released into the upper Salinas River watershed in 1976. In completing our 24th year of operation, we have encountered more changes affecting the way we raise and plant fish than in prior years, and still more changes must be made to accommodate for new rules and regulations. With the "threatened" listing of steelhead under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), NMFS is planning to implement the 4(d) rules for protection of the species. This sets in motion a recovery planning process with specific protection plans for steelhead living in our area. Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs), designate distinct populations of fish which are treated as a species under the ESA. In our case, we are now functioning in two ESUâs for Steelhead. A boundary line between the North Central ESU and the South Central ESU steelhead populations has been drawn on the ridge separating the Aptos Creek from the Pajaro River system. In the past, under the direction of the California Department of Fish & Game (CDF&G), all of our fish stocks, have been taken from either the San Lorenzo River or Scott Creek. This past season, at the request of the State and Federal agencies, we reduced our steelhead production while the agencies worked on common goals and directions for how many fish should be living in our watersheds. As a result, this yearâs totals of fish planted in our local watersheds are as follows:
Currently, our 25th year of fish production is well under way with the first of this yearâs baby fish now out in the hatchery rearing troughs. Some eggs are still in the eyeing jars with others in hatch trays. We have completed all the spawning activities for Steelhead for this year. We spawned 10 San Lorenzo River steelhead, 3 Scott Creek steelhead, and new this year, 5 Carmel River steelhead females. The Carmel River stock is to be used to plant rivers that are in the South Central ESU. These include the Pajaro River system, the Salinas River and the Carmel River. Again this year, Mother Nature made spawning almost impossible for our endangered coho salmon. With no rains to increase stream flows, the first fish did not enter Scott Creek until Jan. 19th. MBS&TP teams captured 5 male and 2 female Coho Salmon on Jan. 22nd. Unfortunately, both female salmon were spent, with no eggs left. We did observe a third coho female and three males in the act of spawning, and these fish were left undisturbed. We returned to this spot a week later and were delighted to find eggs in the gravel. Unfortunately the Valentineâs storm of Feb. 13th resulted in four feet of bed load moving down the creeks through this area, scouring away all rocks and sand. So sadly all the eggs were probably destroyed. Subsequent intensive coho salmon collection efforts by MBS&TP teams through March 17th, found no other adult Coho in our watershed. The frequent and catastrophic events (droughts, floods, and El Ni–o) in recent years have severely depressed our southern coho populations. The final draft of our Recovery Plan for coho salmon (Strategic Plan for Restoration of the Endangered Coho Salmon South of San Francisco Bay) has just been completed and is now awaiting final governmental adoption and implementation. However, some components of the Recovery Plan are being implemented now. NMFS is building a seawater coho captive brood stock facility at the new Southwest Fisheries Science Center located in Santa Cruz. This may also be duplicated at the Moss Landing Marine laboratories and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. NMFS has also hired a geneticist to design a program, using the monitoring of DNA samples, to insure that there is diverse genetic variation in wild and captured coho brood stock. Five hundred of our cohos that were to be planted this past March, are presently in holding pens. They are going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for salt water acclimation and are then to be moved to the NMFS facility to produce adult Coho Salmon. The majority of each yearâs captive brood stock is destined for release into the wild in order to jump-start the recovery of streams that have suitable habitat and are addressed in the Recovery Plan. I feel it is time to take extraordinary measures to save our coho salmon. These are the only stocks of coho salmon adapted environmental conditions favoring late spawning and warmer water temperatures. On a special note, at the American Fisheries Society, California-Nevada Chapter Meeting on March 31st, MBS&TP Chairman Allen Smith was awarded the Conservation Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to fisheries conservation and restoration. This Season's Fish Counts Each year we capture wild adult steelhead at our fish trap at the Felton Water Diversion Facility on the San Lorenzo River. Both CDF&G and the NMFS continuously review our fish trapping operation and data collection. The Felton fish trap is the major source of adult wild Steelhead for our stream restoration projects north of Aptos Creek. The San Lorenzo River has too many obstacles for us to use any other fish collection method at this time. We are constantly working with CDF&G to upgrade our methods for fish capture so that the actual run of fish moving up the San Lorenzo River each winter may be determined. We only operate the trap when enough water is available to inflate the rubber dam. This does not occur until after substantial rains have occurred in our area. The trap is not operational during very high water flows which follow large storms. We also do not operate the trap after we have taken our monthly quota of adult wild fish, or after we have taken our total quota of adult wild fish for the season. This usually occurs near the first week in April. On the average, we feel the trap is operational about 50% of the time. In reviewing the data for the 1999/2000 season I found some interesting statistics and trends. A total of 532 adult fish were counted at the Felton facility. There were 243 males and 289 females. The first fish trapped was on 1/16/00. The largest fish was a 34 inch male, which passed through the trap on 1/30/00. There were 12 fish over 32 inches that passed through the trap this season. In the 1998/1999 season, we counted 532 Steelhead through our trap. The first fish trapped was on 1/7/99. There were 197 males & 335 females. We had two fish at 37 inches, both were females that were over 8 years old. In addition, we had 34 fish that were over 32 inches. Our goal for next season is to have the trap data posted weekly on our new web page for all of you who wish to monitor the fish migration as it is occurring. Visit our web page at www.mbstp.org. We are always looking for interesting pictures to post on our web page. If you need any additional information, you may also contact us at Mbstp@aol.com. (back to top)
Year 2000 Salmon Enhancement Program Once again our annual Salmon Enhancement program is now in full swing at the Monterey Bay Harbor Wharf II. The California Department Of Fish & Game delivered the first batch of 60,000 king salmon smolts on May 11th, 2000. The salmon smolts will go through a salt water acclimation program before being released into the Monterey Bay. The first 60,000 fish are to be released May 20th, and the next batch will arrive for their salt water acclimation May 24th. The second batch of fish will be released into the Monterey Bay on June 4th. A total of 120,000 King Salmon will be processed again this year. These fish are brought here each year to supplement both sport and commercial fisheries. We have noted that fish released from our salmon pens have a harvest return 400% better than fish released or spawned naturally. This program has been so successful, that we are hoping to have new salmon pens for the Santa Cruz Harbor next May in 2001. These new pens will replace our Moss Landing pens that were shut down because of continuous dredging in the Harbor area. In addition, it is our opinion that these hatchery fish take some of the pressure off of salmon returning to the Sacramento River System, allowing more of them to spawn in these rivers. From 1994 though 1998, all of the salmon released from our salmon pens in Monterey or Moss Landing were specially marked. Prior to their release, each fish had their adipose fin clipped and a special nose bead inserted. CDF&G conducted this program. When caught fish were inspected by Wardens or data collectors, any salmon with an adipose fin clipped, had its head removed and returned to CDF&G. By sliding the head under a scanner, technicians could tell where the fish was released from and when it was hatched. During last yearâs derby, we noted over 7% return of pen reared fish compared to less than a half percent return of fish released directly from a hatchery, or fish that spawn naturally in a stream. Last, there are several business and many individual volunteers that make this whole event possible. When the operation is complete, we will make a list of as many of these people as possible and publish their names in our next newsletter. For now, come on down to Monterey Fishermanâs Wharf II, just opposite the Sandbar & Grill Restaurant and say hello to our new fish. One of our volunteers will show you what we are doing and why. (back to top)
6th Annual Mammoth Monterey Bay Salmon Derby July 1st-3rd
Once again, it is derby time in the Monterey Bay. The Salmon fishing started out the best it has been in six years. Limits are being had in two hours or less and the fish are running up to 30lbs. during April, ,May, & June . To start the millennium out right, we are changing our format slightly to additional reward those fishermen who want to fish all three days. As in years past, the largest fish caught during the three-day tournament will win $1,000.00. Second place will be $500.00 and third place will receive $250.00. New this year will be the grand weight prize of $300.00 and a new Penn Sabre Rod and 545 High Speed Reel. This prize will be awarded to the person who has the most weight for up to three fish. Only one fish can be weighed in each day. You do not have to fish all three days to enter. You may win if you have fished only two days and have two heavy fish weighed in. Second place in the grand weight division wins a Penn Rod & Reel mooching combo. Additional prizes may also be awarded depending on entries. We will also give away three mystery weight prizes of $50 in cash and prizes. Daily weight prizes will also be awarded. Last year we gave away over 110 prizes including cash and gift certificates, fishing tackle and other valuable prizes. Once again, thanks to Breezes Resorts in Jamaica, we are proud to announce that we will again be rewarding the Grand Prize Raffle winner, a 6 Night Vacation for Two, at Breezes Resorts in Run Away Bay, Jamaica. Each derby ticket has a raffle ticket attached. By entering the derby, you also get to enter the Grand Prize Raffle for free. Last year we gave away 12 great prizes including a boat and motor from West Marine. You may also purchase additional raffle tickets for $5.00 each at all locations selling tickets and at each weigh in station. Prices for this yearâs Derby are $15.00 for a daily ticket and $30.00 for a 3- Day ticket. The Salmon Derby is a major fundraiser for our hatchery. Hats & Shirts and Sweat Shirts will also be available at $15.00 for a hat or Derby Shirt. $25.00 for the two. $25.00 for Derby Sweat Shirts. All funds from this derby will be used to help buy new Salmon Net Pens for the Santa Cruz Harbor. We hope to have an additional 120,000 fish in our pens next year. Tickets will be on sale at all Longâs Drug Stores in the Monterey Bay Area, Shamrock Charters and Bayside Marine at the Santa Cruz Harbor, Capitola Boat Rental at the Wharf in Capitola and Santa Cruz Boat Rentals & Stagneroâs Fishing at the Santa Cruz Pier & Yagiâs Tackle Shop in Pajaro. Tickets are also available at all Outdoor World Stores in the Monterey Bay. Randyâs, Samâs & Chrisâs Sport fishing as well as Monterey Bay Sport fishing will also be selling tickets at the Monterey Wharf. Tickets may also be purchased at all launch sites during the Derby. You may also purchase tickets by mail by sending your check to Larry Wolf, 243 Ranchitos Del Sol, Aptos, CA 95003. Checks must be received by June 23, 2000 to have enough turn around time. Last, the derby will close each day at 3:30 P.M. See the rules for details. Good luck to all & I will see you there.
Volunteers Activities Corner Our great volunteers have continued to provide their skills and labor in completing some reconstruction projects last fall, winter 1999/2000, and into this spring. Additional terrific efforts were provided by volunteers in these areas:
My congratulations go out to two of our outstanding volunteers: Bob Eustice, our Steering Committee Chairman, was appointed to the Board of Directors in December 1999; and Howard Thielbar, a key figure in helping Bob Montgomery run the Chinook Enhancement Program in Monterey, was appointed to the Board of Directors in March of 2000. This spring we had the lowest turnout of volunteers (4) to take part in our fish care training program. As I have mentioned before in previous newsletters, we are continuing to lose volunteers. I am looking for some new volunteers who are interested in performing fish care occasionally on a weekend day or holiday when our Facilities Manager is not on duty. Any one who is interested in taking the training, please contact me, Al Smith, at 831-458-3095, or E-Mail MBSTP@AOL.com , or send a note to my attention at P.O. Box 417, Davenport, CA 95017. (back to top) |
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