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The Collapse of Pelagic Fishes in the Upper San Francisco Estuary: El Colapso de los Peces Pelagicos en La Cabecera Del Estuario San Francisco
Author(s) -
Sommer Ted,
Armor Chuck,
Baxter Randall,
Breuer Richard,
Brown Larry,
Chotkowski Mike,
Culberson Steve,
Feyrer Fredrick,
Gingras Marty,
Herbold Bruce,
Kimmerer Wim,
MuellerSolger Anke,
Nobriga Matt,
Souza Kelly
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(2007)32[270:tcopfi]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - smelt , pelagic zone , fishery , estuary , threatened species , geography , habitat , fish stock , ecology , fishing , fish <actinopterygii> , biology
Although the pelagic fish community of the upper San Francisco Estuary historically has shown substantial variability, a recent collapse has captured the attention of resource managers, scientists, legislators, and the general public. The ecological and management consequences of the decline are most serious for delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), a threatened species whose narrow range overlaps with large water diversions that supply water to over 25 million people. The decline occurred despite recent moderate hydrology, which typically results in at least modest recruitment, and investments of hundreds of millions of dollars in habitat restoration and environmental water allocations to support native fishes. In response to the pelagic fish collapse, an ambitious multi‐hyphen;agency research team has been working since 2005 to evaluate the causes of the decline, which likely include a combination of factors: stock‐recruitment effects, a decline in habitat quality, increased mortality rates, and reduced food availability due to invasive species.