Yuba spring-run salmon count indicates a record low

[ghostsinthemachine]

By: South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL)

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July 21, 2015 - As of July 7th, only 32 salmon have been detected at the fish counting station at Daguerre Point Dam on the Lower Yuba River. This is far below the average of 752 salmon detected by this time of year since monitoring of this type began in 2004. The fish count data is posted at the website for the Yuba Accord River Management Team, an interagency group charged with monitoring and evaluating conditions for fish in the lower Yuba River. No reports or explanatory information have been released along with the data.

SYRCL’s Fisheries Biologist, Gary Reedy, is representative for conservation groups on the River Management Team and says that the data clearly suggests very low numbers of returning adult spring-run salmon to the Yuba River this year. The official abundance estimate for Yuba River spring-run Chinook salmon, ranging from 372 to 3,592 since 2004, is calculated at the end of the calendar year, after statistical methods are used to differentiate the two salmon runs of the Yuba: spring-run Chinook and fall-run Chinook. While these two types of salmon historically segregated themselves, with the spring-run migrating into the upper watershed, they now share habitats in the lower Yuba River. Some spring-run have been found to remain in the plunge pool of Daguerre Point Dam until spawning season begins in September.

“No matter how many salmon might presently be holding below Daguerre Point Dam, we are looking at what will likely be less than 100 fish and less than the minimum abundance for a viable population”, says Reedy. ”This is concerning since Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon are officially listed under the Endangered Species Act as threatened with extinction, and the Yuba is considered one of the most important rivers for recovery. Chinook salmon runs may be relatively low this year across the region, as we shall soon see. Nevertheless, this count for the Yuba River represents a severe and disturbing decline.”


MORE: http://yubanet.com/regional/Yuba-spring-run-salmon-count-indicates-a-record-low.php#.Va7cGmdLpRk

[pscot]

1. Minimum abundance?

That would be, like, none, eh? We'll get there. Springers are pretty rare everywhere on the West Coast.