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General
Background:
NMFS Southwest Region-Protected Resources Division's (PRD's) primary role in the Klamath River Basin is to coordinate the recovery of listed threatened Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast (SONCC) coho salmon and restore SONCC Chinook salmon through a broad range of partnerships. NMFS is responsible for the recovery of these species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the management of Chinook salmon through the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). To meet these responsibilities, NMFS is employing an ecosystem-based approach towards developing a management options in the Klamath Basin. In order to recover listed salmonids in the Klamath Basin, PRD's activities require establishing working relationships with Federal, State, Local government agencies, and with stakeholders including: landowners, tribes, local groups, and scientists. Over the last ten years NMFS and Partners have developed several cooperative programs that are aimed at restoring listed salmonids to sustainable levels. These programs and projects range from statewide conservation efforts to basin-wide efforts and even local community-based efforts. Below is a list of these programs that have come about, for more information you can click on the link if available:
State Coho Recovery Planning In response to the listing of coho salmon in California under the California Endangered Species Act, the State of California has developed two recovery teams to identify and address recovery needs of the species. The state-wide multi-stakeholder recovery team is addressing impacts throughout all California streams and rivers where coho are found which includes the entire lower Klamath Basin. In addition, a special recovery team was formed within the Scott and Shasta Rivers tributaries to the Klamath River, made up of mostly local land owners and state and federal representatives to address impacts associated with agricultural issues in these two sub-basins. The California Coho Salmon Recovery Strategy was adopted by the California Fish and Game Commission in 2004. NMFS is an active member of both state coho recovery teams and is a member of all of the six sub-committees. Factors for Decline in the ESA-Listed Species of Salmonids in the Klamath: Salmonids are anadromous fish, they require special conditions in order to spawn and are very susceptible to minute changes in their ecosystem. Adult spawners returning to their natal stream are seeking out these special conditions: cool, oxygen-rich, clear water, and medium gravel (1.3 to 15cm in diameter (Hassler,1987)) to dig their nests. If these conditions cannot be found typically adults will die without spawning.
Since the Early 1900's there have been many human impacts on the salmonid habitat and their access to desired spawning grounds. There has also been human impact on the species through intentional and unintentional take. Specific human impacts have lead to sedimentation of the rivers, changes in stream flow rates, blocking fish passage with culverts, bridges, dams, and pollution. Fishing impacts on the population are also significant, but are now rigorously managed by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council, and regulations enforce by the Federal and State governments. NMFS and partners are working cooperatively to help remove, reverse and/or minimize these human impacts to recover the species to sustainable levels. See NMFS's PRD Salmon Recovery to learn more about NMFS recovery efforts. |
SWR Protected Resources
Salmon Recovery
Klamath Basin Task Force sunsetted last year but funding remains through FY07 Anadromous Fish Conservation Act Grant Program Projects Recent Events |
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