Difference between revisions of "Steelhead in the Monterey Bay Region"
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This page is a work in progress started on Thursday, March 29th 2012. Many changes are expected in the coming weeks. | This page is a work in progress started on Thursday, March 29th 2012. Many changes are expected in the coming weeks. | ||
| − | == Summary of Steelhead == | + | == Summary == |
| + | |||
| + | Steelhead Salmon present unique management challenges compared to other salmonids due to their life history plasticity. These management challenges are compounded because the Monterey Bay Region is split into two Distinct Population Segments (DPS). Steelhead populations in the Monterey Bay Region face difficult environmental conditions because of the unique topography of the area, and proximity to the southern limit of the species range. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Steelhead Salmon == | ||
Steelhead Salmon (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') in the Monterey Bay Region are listed as "Threatened" by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and occupy many rivers and streams flowing into the Monterey Bay. ''O. mykiss'' are distinct among salmon species because the are both facultativly anadromous and iteroparous. Both resident (rainbow trout) and anadromous (Steelhead) forms exist, and both have the potential to spawn repeatedly (Satterthwaite 2009). PICTURE. | Steelhead Salmon (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') in the Monterey Bay Region are listed as "Threatened" by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and occupy many rivers and streams flowing into the Monterey Bay. ''O. mykiss'' are distinct among salmon species because the are both facultativly anadromous and iteroparous. Both resident (rainbow trout) and anadromous (Steelhead) forms exist, and both have the potential to spawn repeatedly (Satterthwaite 2009). PICTURE. | ||
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== Habitat in the Monterey Bay Region == | == Habitat in the Monterey Bay Region == | ||
| − | The Monterey Bay, located on the Central Coast of California, is the centerpiece of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. MAP. Steelhead in the Monerey Bay Region are of particular interest for several reasons. These fish are near the southern limit of the species range, and face environmental conditions quite distinct from Northern California populations. The Mediterranean climate of the Monterey Bay Region results in temperatures that are typically higher than those found to the north, with mild winters and productive high-flow springs supporting the highest growth rates (Hayes 2008). In contrast, rainfall and stream-flow are low during the summer and fall, limiting growth rates. The small coastal streams of the Monterey Bay frequently feature sand-bar closed estuaries during low-flow periods that may provide ideal nursery habitat for smolts (Bond 2008, Hayes 2008), but also constrain potential emigration and return dates to when stream-flow is high enough to breach the sandbar (Satterthwaite 2009). | + | The Monterey Bay, located on the Central Coast of California, is the centerpiece of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. MAP. Steelhead in the Monerey Bay Region are of particular interest for several reasons. These fish are near the southern limit of the species range, and face environmental conditions quite distinct from Northern California populations. The Mediterranean climate of the Monterey Bay Region results in temperatures that are typically higher than those found to the north, with mild winters and productive high-flow springs supporting the highest growth rates (Hayes 2008). In contrast, rainfall and stream-flow are low during the summer and fall, limiting growth rates. The small coastal streams of the Monterey Bay Region frequently feature sand-bar closed estuaries during low-flow periods that may provide ideal nursery habitat for smolts (Bond 2008, Hayes 2008), but also constrain potential emigration and return dates to when stream-flow is high enough to breach the sandbar (Satterthwaite 2009). |
| − | == | + | == Management Challenges in the Monterey Bay Region == |
| − | The Monterey Bay Region is comprised of two Distinct Population Segments ( | + | The Monterey Bay Region is comprised of two Distinct Population Segments (DPS), designated by two Environmentally Significant Units (ESU). The Central California Coast Section extends from the Russian River (inclusive)south to Aptos Creek (inclusive), and the South Central California Coast Section extends south from the Pajaro River (inclusive) to the Santa Maria River (exclusive), effectively splitting the Monterey Bay in half. Both ESUs are currently designated as "Threatened" under the ESA, and both DPSs are currently designated as "Critical Habitat" for Steelhead. |
== Resource/s at stake == | == Resource/s at stake == | ||
Revision as of 22:59, 2 April 2012
A watershed-related issue examined by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.
Contents
Notice
This page is a work in progress started on Thursday, March 29th 2012. Many changes are expected in the coming weeks.
Summary
Steelhead Salmon present unique management challenges compared to other salmonids due to their life history plasticity. These management challenges are compounded because the Monterey Bay Region is split into two Distinct Population Segments (DPS). Steelhead populations in the Monterey Bay Region face difficult environmental conditions because of the unique topography of the area, and proximity to the southern limit of the species range.
Steelhead Salmon
Steelhead Salmon (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Monterey Bay Region are listed as "Threatened" by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and occupy many rivers and streams flowing into the Monterey Bay. O. mykiss are distinct among salmon species because the are both facultativly anadromous and iteroparous. Both resident (rainbow trout) and anadromous (Steelhead) forms exist, and both have the potential to spawn repeatedly (Satterthwaite 2009). PICTURE.
Steelhead Management Challenges
There is great variability in age of Steelhead emigration and return age, along with the probability of repeat spawning. There are 32 identified possible life history trajectories for Steelhead which presents a great challenge for managing the species (Thorpe 2007). Changes in freshwater conditions due to water management or climate change may alter demographic rates along with the current life history trajectories, sending fish on alternative trajectories with radically different demographic results (Satterthwaite 2009).
Habitat in the Monterey Bay Region
The Monterey Bay, located on the Central Coast of California, is the centerpiece of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. MAP. Steelhead in the Monerey Bay Region are of particular interest for several reasons. These fish are near the southern limit of the species range, and face environmental conditions quite distinct from Northern California populations. The Mediterranean climate of the Monterey Bay Region results in temperatures that are typically higher than those found to the north, with mild winters and productive high-flow springs supporting the highest growth rates (Hayes 2008). In contrast, rainfall and stream-flow are low during the summer and fall, limiting growth rates. The small coastal streams of the Monterey Bay Region frequently feature sand-bar closed estuaries during low-flow periods that may provide ideal nursery habitat for smolts (Bond 2008, Hayes 2008), but also constrain potential emigration and return dates to when stream-flow is high enough to breach the sandbar (Satterthwaite 2009).
Management Challenges in the Monterey Bay Region
The Monterey Bay Region is comprised of two Distinct Population Segments (DPS), designated by two Environmentally Significant Units (ESU). The Central California Coast Section extends from the Russian River (inclusive)south to Aptos Creek (inclusive), and the South Central California Coast Section extends south from the Pajaro River (inclusive) to the Santa Maria River (exclusive), effectively splitting the Monterey Bay in half. Both ESUs are currently designated as "Threatened" under the ESA, and both DPSs are currently designated as "Critical Habitat" for Steelhead.
Resource/s at stake
Recreational and commercial fishing, diversity, ecosystem, marine derived nutrients
Stakeholders
Recreational and commercial fishermen, NOAA/NMFS, CDF&G, MBSTP, CalFish, FishNet 4C, MCWRA, SWRCB
Laws, policies, & regulations
ESA, NOAA Action Plans,
Systems
Marine/Terrestrial interaction
Science
NOAA/NMFS/SWFSC, MBSTP, FISHBIO
References
...Proust, M. 1901. Poetica nausea. J. Nauseum. pp 1-9999.
Links
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Steelhead ESA Listings
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA/NMFS)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA/NMFS/SWFSC)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA/NMFS/NWFSC)
- Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project (MBSTP)
- FishNet 4C
- FISHBIO
- CalFish
- California Department of Fish and Game (CDF&G)
- Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA)
- State Water Resources Control Board, Central Coast Section (SWRCB/CCS)
Disclaimer
This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.
