CalTrout report

[Dryrod]

[#005000]Despite their ability to live under some of nature’s harshest conditions, the endangered Southern California steelhead is on the verge of extinction. Fewer than 500 adult Southern Cal­ifornia steelhead now survive from the Santa Maria River’s Point Conception south into Baja, Mexico, down from recorded highs of 50,000 to 100,000 adults. To help this beleaguered species, CalTrout is spearheading an effort to revive the Southern California Steelhead Coalition (SCSC).[/#005000]
[#005000]Originally formed in 2000 by environmen­tal, surfing, commercial and sport fishing organ­izations, the SCSC prioritized removing barriers to fish passage, increasing flows and lobbying for funds dedicated specifically for Southern Cali­fornia’s migratory anadromous fish. Unfortunately, after some early successes, including securing fish passage for steelhead on the Ventura River, the SCSC’s efforts have waned in the past few years.[/#005000]
[#005000]Hoping to revive this crucial coalition, California Trout is reaching out to the Coali­tion’s prior members and other groups including the South Coast Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Santa Monica Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, Center for Biological Diversity, and Friends of the Santa Clara River. Like its predecessor, the new SCSC will focus on improving fish passage and critical habitat for Southern California steelhead — especially in the Santa Monica Mountains Complex.[/#005000]
[#005000]The coalition will use a study initiated by the SCSC, the Santa Monica Mountain Steel- head Restoration Habitat Assessment, as a guide. The assessment identifies and prioritizes the best opportunities for steelhead habitat restoration throughout the complex. Critical efforts include the removal of Rindge Dam on Malibu Creek and fish passage barriers on Arroyo Sequite andTopanga Creeks.[/#005000]
[#005000]Other SCSC goals are likely to include removing Matilija Dam and associated restora­tion projects throughout the Ventura River watershed, and improving fish passage and habi­tat on the Santa Clara and Santa Ynez Rivers. California Trout has applied for grants to fund coalition staff positions and will seek funds from government agencies and private organi­zations with an interest in reviving the Southern California steelhead and improving fish passage throughout the region.[/#005000]
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[MattandNick]

Do you have a contact number to pass on. I used to live in the Malibu back in the early 80's and remember catching and releasing a few of those beautiful fish from Malibu creek below the dam before they were listed as an endangered species.

There used to be a couple of nice areas in Malibu creek state park (way above Rindge Dam and the steelhead) that had stocked rainbow trout in that I used to flyfish for. I was passing by that area a few years ago and it looks like there isn't much fishing in the state park anymore, just hiking. Too bad.

M,N&G's Dad
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[Dryrod]

[center][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4]Hi there M,N&G's Dad, As a member of CalTrout I receive regular notices about their activity in California. Here is a link to their web site:[/size][/#008000][/font]
[center][font "Garamond"][#008000][size 4][/size][/#008000][/font]
[center][url "http://www.caltrout.org/"]http://www.caltrout.org/[/url]
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[tubeN2]

I'm surprised that the DFG doesn't release nor post all the information they have.

Four times a year I get invited by one of the DFG biologists in the area to help with some fish tagging projects.

We get to fish in restricted areas and even for protected species.

Malibu Creek (off limits to fishing for the past 12 years now) has an ever growing population of Steelies in there. Much higher than the numbers that you were able to supply.

I was just there in July and will be going back in a few weeks. The current counts are showing close to 2000 fish now which is up from the 1400 from last years totals. It looks like enough of them are making it back for the spawn.

Compared to the thousands of eggs they produce and fertilize, those numbers are very low which explains why they are endangered.[cool]
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