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Stripers as a Delta Indicator

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 7:17 pm
by WB Staff
Striped Bass An Important Indicator Species in the Delta.jpg
The striped bass is a favorite sport fish in the San Francisco Estuary (SFE), especially the Delta, because of its large size, sporting qualities, and tasty flesh. Historically, it supported major commercial and sport fisheries but the commercial fishery was shut down long ago and the sport fishery is in long-term decline. The decline of adult fish is reflected in decline of juvenile striped bass as well. Juvenile abundance in the major fish surveys of the SFE track the decline of delta and longfin smelt well. These declines are a good indication that major changes have taken place in the pelagic (open water) environment in the upper SFE, creating problems for pelagic fishes in general. Nevertheless, adult striped bass, which are voracious predators, have been accused of causing the declines through predation, although there is little evidence for this (see https://californiawaterblog.com/2011/01 ... e-disease/ and https://californiawaterblog.com/2016/05/22/6206/)

The factors causing the decline of many fish and fisheries in the upper SFE have made their management controversial, usually because of the correlation of declines with increased water exports from the Delta and upstream of the Delta, as well as with invasions of ‘ecosystem engineers’ such as overbite clams. To address this problem better, the California Fish and Game Commission is developing new policies for managing Delta fish and fisheries, with a special focus on striped bass.

Full story: https://californiawaterblog.com/2020/01 ... the-delta/

Re: Stripers as a Delta Indicator

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:30 am
by mark poulson
Clearly, the major "predator" that is causing the decline of both the San Francisco Estuary and the CA Delta is the export of water south to the San Joaquin farmers.

Re: Stripers as a Delta Indicator

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 5:27 am
by hydro
I believe the true cause of fish population declines in the delta can be attributed to
"Parasites " . The outbreak of these parasites can be traced to the Sacramento area where infestation began . These parasites otherwise known as "Corrupt Politicians " suck the blood out of their constituents who vote them into office and water out of the Delta while claiming they are doing the peoples business and preserving the environment while taking money from the water lobby . Follow the money !

Re: Stripers as a Delta Indicator

Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2020 8:51 am
by mark poulson
hydro wrote:I believe the true cause of fish population declines in the delta can be attributed to
"Parasites " . The outbreak of these parasites can be traced to the Sacramento area where infestation began . These parasites otherwise known as "Corrupt Politicians " suck the blood out of their constituents who vote them into office and water out of the Delta while claiming they are doing the peoples business and preserving the environment while taking money from the water lobby . Follow the money !
I agree. Any politician, whether local, state, or federal, who supports increasing water flows to the San Joaquin Farmers and Westlands is serving the wealthy farmers, not the best interests of the people of California.