CONSERVATION Coversation

Conservation onversation

With Julie Ruth Haselden

Central Valley Salmon — A message from Dr. Mark Rockwell, D.C. President & VP Conservation, NCCFFI, and Will Moore.

Hello all. Please read the L.A. Times article linked below. It tells us exactly what we’re up against in Washington to save California central valley salmon, steelhead, Delta Smelt, striped bass and others fish, including Southern Resident Killer Whales.

We heard rumors that NOAA’s Fisheries Jeopardy Opinion on water operations in the Delta, a 1,123 page analysis, is being suppressed by the Administration. The opinion found proposed changes in government water operations would harm species protected by the Endangered Species Act, including perilously low populations of winter-run salmon, trout and killer whales.

The scientists who wrote it have been removed from the project. They have been replaced by a second team to do a “re-write”, i.e., to come up with the right political answer. A copy of the original report was leaked to the LA Times. Read the LA Times’s view on the matter and follow the links to the original report

https://www.latimes.com/environment/ story/2019-08-20/trump-california-watersalmon-farms

I met with four others in Los Angeles last Friday with Senator Feinstein’s staff and discussed for 90 minutes the issues in the BayDelta with water and fish, and this will be sent to them as a follow-up. We asked the Senator to not allow this to happen, and to take action in an Op-Ed and within the Senate to block the administration’s efforts. Our fisheries are at stake. All hands on deck!

FISH HANDLING AND PHOTOGRAPHY BASICS.

Kirston Koths demonstrates the proper handling of a fish to take a great KEW photograph - image courtesy of Kirston Koths

When it comes to handling fish that we plan to release, a few basic practices will go a long way. Same goes for capturing that moment in photographs. Here are a few simple things to consider the next time a fish comes to hand and the camera comes out.

• Make sure your camera is ready to go! Keep your camera easily accessible and make sure that it has plenty of battery, storage capacity,

THE IRIDEUS - SEPTEMBER 2019 and that settings for the current conditions are correct. This will enable you to quickly photograph your fish and then release it.

• If you are raising the fish in the air, hold it in a horizontal position parallel to the water with two hands under its belly. Do not hang the fish vertically, a position that will disturb the inner organs and can kill the fish. Remember not to squeeze the lateral lines or the gills!

• “Three, two, one, lift, and click!” Counting down your shots means that fish are out of the water for less time. Have the angler take a knee and keep the fish submerged as the camera focus and settings are dialed in, then communicate when everything is ready. Wet fish are dripping fish, it’s a great indicator that a fish has not been out of the water long.

• When reviving a fish, try to work underwater as much as possible, keeping fish, net and hands submerged. Best practice is to face it upstream so that the water flows into its mouth and through its gills from front to back. If the current is heavy, move to quieter water, or shield the fish with your legs. The flow of water will help revive the fish but a fast current can stress it further.

• The old fashioned method of rocking it back and forth in the current has been successfully challenged as of late. The rocking forces water to flow through the gills in the wrong direction, damaging the fish. Just cradle the fish in the water gently and let it recover on its own.

• There are times when conditions simply will not allow for a photo, and that releasing a fish soon as possible is the priority. Maybe you choose not to take a photo because the water is especially warm, the fish is deeply hooked, or there are lots of predators in the area. Knowing what conditions can adversely affect the fate of released fish is just as important as knowing the best practices for catch-and-release.

IF you catch a great (or even so-so) KEW photo, please send a copy to me at jhaselden17@ comcast.net. We would love to share your photo in the next Irideus. Your photo will be entered into the 2019 GPFF KEW Contest!

Save the Date!

At our October 8 GPFF meeting, we will enjoy a special presentation by Mike Moran, Supervising Naturalist of Big Break Visitor Center at the Delta. Mike is a fascinating speaker who has an energetic and entertaining way of sharing interesting information. This presentation will focus our Delta and its fish. He will also discuss fish and wildlife in our East Bay Regional Park District. Don’t miss this one!