| Report Number: |
1 (Annual Report)
Next Report
|
| Report Period: |
01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016 |
| Report Status: |
Approved
|
| File Number: |
18181-3A |
| Project Title: |
Rescue and Relocation of ESA-listed Salmonids and SDPS Green Sturgeon in California's Central Valley. |
| Project Status: |
New |
| Previous Federal or State Permit/Authorization: |
18181-2M |
| Permit/Authorization Requested: |
- ESA Section 10(a)(1)(A) permit (Pacific fish/invertebrate enhancement)
- Expired
|
| Where will activities occur? |
California (including offshore waters)
|
| State department of fish and game/wildlife: |
Project will be carried out by CDFW |
| Research Timeframe: |
Start: 11/29/2016 End: 12/31/2020 |
| Sampling Season/Project Duration: |
Permit 18181-3A covers rescue operations within California's Central Valley in response to extreme environmental conditions and complex water operations.
Rescues and monitoring will follow these general directions:
1) Trapping and relocation of adult salmonids and SDPS green sturgeon entering the Colusa Basin Drainage Canal at Wallace Weir- carried out year-round, annually.
2) Monitoring at Tisdale and Fremont weirs relies upon high flow events of sufficient magnitude to result in weir and bypass flooding. As high flow events do not occur every year, the duration of this project is dependent upon environmental conditions.
3) Extreme drought in the Central Valley has resulted in limited reservoir storage and reductions in flow. These conditions will likely lead to redd dewatering and stranding of juvenile salmonids in the Upper Sacramento River Basin including associated tributaries. Rescues/relocation of stranded juveniles will be conducted year-round as needed. |
| Abstract: |
The primary purpose of Permit 18181-3A will be to assess entrainment of ESA-listed salmonids and SDPS green sturgeon resulting from extreme environmental conditions and complex water operations within California's Central Valley. The fishery agencies generally consider fish rescue efforts a last resort, as long-term survival benefits of such activities are unclear. Fish rescues can mask important underlying land and water development problems that might be causing or contributing to the isolation or stranding of fish. In addition, periodically disconnected habitats and isolation caused by drought and fluctuating water supply are in some degree natural events and likely important to natural selection processes.
In some instances (i.e. trapping operations at Wallace Weir Facility), CDFW aims to prevent entrainment by trapping and relocating adult fish species of concern before they encounter inhospitable conditions. Other times, entrainment results from environmental conditions such as flooding or drought. These conditions are often exacerbated by diversions and ongoing water operations. CDFW will assess the conditions leading to entrainment and determine whether rescue and relocation activities are warranted.
CDFW currently serves as the lead fishery agency for all fish rescue actions. In that capacity, CDFW will make the final decision about whether to pursue a rescue effort in accordance with the Key Rescue Objectives and Principles found within the Interagency Anadromous Fish Rescue Strategy (attached). |
Describe any problems and/or any unforeseen effects and any steps taken (or proposed) to resolve such problems.
One problem of note is the probable take of a southern DPS green sturgeon by poachers stranded on the apron of the west section of the Fremont Weir on 31 March 2016, the day prior to scheduled fish rescue operations. CDFW wardens were notified of the presence of sturgeon stranded on the Fremont Weir apron and they were patrolling the area. However; the probable poaching event likely took place between patrol shifts.
Proposed steps to prevent future poaching events will include increased surveillance by CDFW Wildlife Officers at potential stranding sites where southern DPS green sturgeon and listed salmonids were previously rescued or observed (e.g., Fremont Weir, Tisdale Weir).
The permanent fish collection facility at Wallace Weir is currently under construction and was not used for fish rescue or salvage during 2016. Fish rescue operations were conducted at an alternate site on the Knights Landing Ridge Cut and Colusa Basin Drainage Canal prior to high winter flows in the Yolo Bypass. No listed salmonids or southern DPS green sturgeon were rescued at the alternate site on the Knights Landing Ridge Cut and Colusa Basin Drainage Canal sites.
Describe what measures were taken to minimize the permitted activities' effects on animals and the effectiveness of these measures.
Capture, handling, tagging, and transport methods used during rescues conducted for southern DPS green sturgeon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead minimized overall handling time. Water temperatures were monitored in holding tubs and ice was added as necessary to insure that water temperatures approximated Sacramento River release point water temperatures.
If animals were unintentionally injured or killed, describe the circumstances. Describe how they were disposed of
if it wasn't in the way described in the authorization/permit.
No unintentional injuries or mortalities of southern DPS green sturgeon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead were observed during rescue efforts.
Describe the physical condition of animals taken and used in the permitted activities.
All captured and tagged southern DPS green sturgeon, Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon, Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon, and Central Valley steelhead were held and observed for complete recovery prior to release and appeared to be in good condition at the time of release.
Describe the effects permitted activities had on animals, including any unforeseen responses or effects.
The southern DPS green sturgeon rescued from the Fremont Weir on 29 March 2016 was acoustically tagged and released in the Sacramento River and subsequently detected moving upstream at real-time acoustic receivers at Knights Landing on 30 March 2016 and at Colusa on 2 April 2016. Several Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon captured at the Tisdale Weir apron were tagged with external anchor tags and released in the Sacramento River at the Tisdale boat ramp. These salmon were subsequently observed as post-spawn carcasses during Butte Creek carcass surveys.
If applicable, describe the method used to estimate take if it differed from your proposed method.
Not applicable.
State what steps were taken to coordinate the permitted activities with other permit holders.
Not applicable.
If you do not have an electronic version logbook, please submit a hard copy to the following address or send it
to the following fax number (please include your permit number on all pages).
Not applicable.
Summarize any preliminary findings. Did you accomplish your project goals?
The southern DPS green sturgeon rescued from the Fremont Weir was acoustically tagged and released in the Sacramento River. it was later detected moving upstream by acoustic receivers at Knights Landing and Colusa. One Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon captured at the Tisdale Weir apron and tagged with external and released in the Sacramento River. It was later observed as a post-spawn carcass during the Butte Creek carcass survey. The project goal was accomplished in that at least two rescued fish survived to reproduce.
List titles of reports, publications, etc. resulting from this reporting period.
Not applicable
Provide any additional findings, results, or information you would like to report or comment on.
Fish rescues were conducted at Fremont Weir, Tisdale Weir, Wallace Weir, the main stem Sacramento River, and Sacramento River tributaries. Take
