We were so grateful we rescued the trout before the first storm hit on Jan. 26, which filled all the pools with mud.
Think that any fish we left in the creek were killed by that and additional storm events that have made it possible to walk across formerly deep pools.
Thanks to the coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service, we released the trout back into the wild last Monday, Feb. 10, in a beautiful watershed along the Central Coast in Santa Barbara County.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they were able to find shelter from the most recent storm. However, I won’t be able to go back and check on them for a bit.
We really hope this sets the stage for CDFW and NMFS to be more proactive in translocating trout so that we have more watersheds holding more fish, creating population redundancy and resilience.
We are putting together a video that will be on the RCD website next week but attached below are a few photos.
Thanks to all who care about our southern steelies!
Rosi Dagit is the Principal Conservation Biologist for Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains
Conservationist Debbie Sharpton at Century Lake in Malibu Creek State Park. (Credit Jim Burns)
It’s always gratifying to have your writing spawn something bigger, that’s why most writers write. Oh no, actually, it’s the MONEY (OK, that’s a joke … ). So when Debbie Sharpton, whose ongoing environmental efforts in Malibu Creek State Park I wrote about in February, let me know local public radio station KCRW was picking up and expanding on that story, I was thrilled. I’ve included two links below, one for their print version, and another to “Greater LA,” where the story aired.
Hats off to reporter Will Callen who made all the moving parts in this piece accessible and easy to understand.
Many of us dream of the return of Southern Steelies to our creeks and rivers. Hopefully, this kind of awareness brings our dream a step closer to reality.
All, To let you know that CalTrout received guidance from CA Fish and Game Commission (FGC) that this 12/15/2021 meeting would be a consent item for the Southern steelhead CESA listing petition, not geared for public comment. This follows the notice to FGC in November by CDFW that upon evaluation of the petition, they deemed it to contain sufficient scientific information to warrant action by the Commission.
CalTrout is implementing our petition campaign and building support for the February 16/17 2022 meeting where this will be heard by FGC, and public comment will be incorporated into the pre-meeting binder for Commissioners. We are recruiting letters of support from legislators, stakeholders and the public. Please watch your inbox for a call to action email which will be broadcast soon, and presentations scheduled on the CESA petition to So Cal fishing groups and others. We encourage any partner, individual or organization that supports this petition to comment. Please have comments in prior to Feb 2nd so they will be added to the pre-meeting information binder.
If you have questions, please contact Russell Marlow, CalTrout lead for the listing petition, at rmarlow@caltrout.org
Thanks,
Sandi
Sandra Jacobson, Ph.D.
Director, South Coast and Sierra Region
California Trout
Hi Fish Folks,
So the Fish and Game Commission hearing this Wed will be to accept the petition but the actual hearing to make the listing is not until 16-17 Feb.
However, there is some coordinated opposition that we might want to counter by attending the zoom meeting and providing public comment in support of accepting the petition to move it forward. Zoom link info below. Letters/emails submitted now will not necessarily get to the commissioners before the hearing but will be shared after, so not a super rush but still worth doing.
As is detailed in the DFW memo supporting the petition, populations are declining throughout southern CA, these genetically distinct fish are more temperature tolerant and exhibit so many different life history strategies that they are critical to the gene pool and most likely to be able to adapt to climate shifts. This means that southern CA fish could be the ones to keep steelhead going up the coast into the future. I know you all care about this as much as I do! Do whatever you can to get the word to the Fish and Game Commission! Feel free to spread the word!
thanks, Rosi Rosi Dagit
Senior Conservation Biologist
RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains
540 S.Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
Meeting of the California Fish and Game Commission Dec. 15, 9 a.m. Instructions for Participating in the Webinar and Teleconference
The California Fish and Game Commission is conducting this meeting by webinar and teleconference to avoid a public gathering and to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, consistent with California Government Code Section 11133. The full meeting agenda is attached. The following provides guidance for how to participate in the meeting with different options based on the technology available to you, and whether you intend to give public comment.
Southern California steelhead Receive the Department’s 90-day evaluation report on the petition to list southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as endangered under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2073.5, Fish and Game Code)
Meeting Viewing Only (no public comment) Watch the Live Stream Webcast As always, the meeting will be live-streamed (also referred to as a live webcast) with full audio and video. If you simply want to observe the live stream of the meeting but do not wish to comment on any item, we strongly encourage you to view the webcast available at www.fgc.ca.gov<http://www.fgc.ca.gov>.
How to Join the Meeting (if you plan to provide public comment) Please note: When you join the meeting using any of the following options, you will be muted automatically. Your video will not be displayed when you join the meeting.
Option 1: Zoom with Computer Audio We highly encourage you to join the meeting on your computer via the link below and use your computer audio to participate. You can participate by launching Zoom in your Internet browser or downloading the Zoom app on your computer. Join Zoom (using your web browser, such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox) Enter the meeting ID: 829 2427 1355 Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/join Join Zoom (using the downloaded app on your computer) You will be prompted to enter your email and name, then click “Join Webinar.” Webinar URL: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82924271355
Option 2: Zoom via Mobile App Join using the Zoom app on your mobile device (phone or tablet). After you download the app, open the app, select the “Join” icon, enter the meeting ID number and your display name. Then enter your meeting password. Meeting ID: 829 2427 1355 Click here for more details about using Zoom on mobile devices.
Option 3: Teleconference Only If you are not able to join using your computer or mobile device, please join via phone. Phone number: +1 (669) 900-6833 or +1 (408) 638-0968 Meeting ID: 829 2427 1355
Option 4: Zoom with Phone Audio (This is not a preferred option for joining as there is the potential to create feedback) If you plan to join via computer and use your telephone for audio, join the Zoom meeting on your computer first, using the links in Option 1. For audio, use the “Call Me At” feature and enter your phone number to have Zoom call you.
Viewing Presentations If you join via Zoom on your computer or mobile device app (Options 1, 2, and 4) the presentations will be displayed. If you join via teleconference only (Option 3), you can view a PDF of the presentations in the meeting binder.
Technical Assistance For help in joining Zoom meetings, click https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting. If you need additional technical assistance, please contact 805-801-3576 or it@agpvideo.com<mailto:it@agpvideo.com>. Making Public Comment If you join via Zoom on your computer or mobile phone app (Options 1, 2, and 4) use the “raise hand” feature to indicate that you would like to make a public comment. If you join via teleconference only (Option 3), press “*9” to virtually raise your hand to indicate you would like to make a public comment; if you press *9 again, you will lower your hand. Please see the meeting agenda for full instructions regarding making public comments.
Please note: When the moderator unmutes you to make public comment, you may need to unmute yourself as well. If you join via Zoom, you may be asked to join as panelists when it is your turn to speak.
From California Trout:Rindge Dam, located three miles upstream from Malibu coastline, is listed as one of the Top 5 California dams to remove in our latest report.
Built in 1926, it once provided water for irrigation and household use in Malibu. However, after just 30 years, the 100-foot dam became obsolete after the reservoir filled entirely with sediment. Today it is part of Malibu Creek State Park and remains a total barrier to southern steelhead migration.
Reopening the upper reaches could restore the fishery and establish it as a nursery for this particular strain of steelhead so that the population can recover and become abundant once again.
It’s been a decades-long battle but CalTrout remains committed to removing Rindge Dam and reconnecting habitat for endangered southern steelhead.
lariverflyfishing 