Recovery Rearing
Recovery Rearing
One of the most important programs underway is the MSG's Mattole Coho Recovery Rearing project. Mattole coho are in the midst of becoming extinct. Historically the Mattole has supported up to 20,000 coho. MSG population surveys have observed an average of four live spawning adults per season over the past five years. In order to provide the Mattole coho with a fighting chance to avoid extinction, the MSG is in the process of implementing a Coho Recovery Rearing program.
The project is designed to provide juvenile coho with greater chances of survival by transporting them to a temporary rearing facility. The major contributor to the decline of Mattole salmon is the lack of habitat due to low water flows. Coho often become fatally stranded in drying stream beds during the summer months. In order to offset the lack of adequate habitat, the MSG is locating a site suitable for the operation of a rearing facility that would house stranded coho and allow them to survive during the dry season.
Dry streambeds during the summer months provide inadequate habitat for coho
Using various monitoring techniques the MSG will identify locations where coho are present in extremely low quality habitat. Once identified, the coho will be safely captured through e-fishing and transported to the rearing facility. The coho will be reared for several months until adequate water flows return to the streams. Additional habitat monitoring data will be used to determine where to release the captured coho. The MSG will transport the coho to streams with excellent habitat and thereby increase the chances of survival and future spawning success.
The Recovery Rearing is an ambitious project requiring the support of multiple government agencies, private foundations, and local community. Currently, the MSG is scheduled to obtain all necessary permits to handle endangered coho and operate the rearing facility. Additionally, the MSG is conducting ongoing habitat assessments to determine which areas coho need to be transported out of, and where to locate the facility. Permitting and facility construction is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the 2012 season. For more information, please read through the MSG's Mattole Coho Recovery Strategy.
Using various monitoring techniques the MSG will identify locations where coho are present in extremely low quality habitat. Once identified, the coho will be safely captured through e-fishing and transported to the rearing facility. The coho will be reared for several months until adequate water flows return to the streams. Additional habitat monitoring data will be used to determine where to release the captured coho. The MSG will transport the coho to streams with excellent habitat and thereby increase the chances of survival and future spawning success.
The Recovery Rearing is an ambitious project requiring the support of multiple government agencies, private foundations, and local community. Currently, the MSG is scheduled to obtain all necessary permits to handle endangered coho and operate the rearing facility. Additionally, the MSG is conducting ongoing habitat assessments to determine which areas coho need to be transported out of, and where to locate the facility. Permitting and facility construction is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of the 2012 season. For more information, please read through the MSG's Mattole Coho Recovery Strategy.
