Conservation News
SCFF Conservation News - March 2010
Submitted by Jim Tolonen
SCFF Conservation News - March 2010
Submitted by Jim Tolonen
Update on the STEP (Salmon and Trout Education Program) of the MBSTP
By Barry Burt
We just finished our annual STEP training at the National Marine Fisheries facilities at Long's Marine Lab. We are extremely fortunate to have established collaboration with these fine folks. They have, over the last three or four years, become one of our biggest advocates, not only hosting the event, but also providing scholarship monies to support local teachers. Thanks to the efforts and expertise, of Dr. Sean Hayes and Eric Sturm, we can offer our participants the comfort of an amazing facility and insight into the cutting edge research that is being done with this most valuable resource.
During the training we received some very exciting news. As you all probably know, the Lockheed fire has made this an extremely challenging year for the MBSTP facility. For a while it looked as though this would be the first year in the 21-year history of the STEP program that we would not be able to supply steelhead eggs to the classrooms. The intake for the Berry Creek water line, which is our incubation source, has still not been established and unless the hatchery is fully operational, we cannot trap brood stock. The good news is that yesterday, at the training, I was informed that our National Marine Fisheries partners will be able to provide eggs for the program for this year. It was nice to see the 24 participants from this year training walk away with the assurance that they would be able to provide this exciting experience to their students.
I'm happy to announce that the Santa Cruz Flyfishermen are now the proud "STEP parents" of Bayside Elementary School teacher, Mrs. Barbara Novelli, a 15 year veteran of the STEP program, who decided to refresh her skills and receive the new up-dated curriculum, through our Conservation Committee donation. It turns out that our club also donated Barbara's chiller unit 15 years ago. It's nice to know that the club's support has raised hundreds of steelhead in the classroom over the years and more importantly, helped to instill a sense of stewardship in hundreds of young students who have had the privilege of working with this dedicated instructor. I believe that this was conservation committee money well spent. Hopefully in the future we will be able to add more instructors like Barbara to our STEP family.
California Legislation:
Submitted by Dougald Scott, via Endangered Species Coalition
Hi everyone, here is a link to the Endangered Species Coalition blog on the current challenge Senator Feinstein has thrown at the fishing and Endangered Species world here in California.
Unfortunately, central valley water users are putting heavy pressure on Senator Feinstein to introduce legislation to waive Endangered Species Act protections to these endangered fisheries, which could have disastrous consequences for California's iconic salmon fishery. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Senator Feinstein is attempting to attach language to the Senate jobs bill that would "divert more Northern California water to Central Valley farmers, by waiving the Endangered Species Agency recommendations not to."
There is a lot of supportive data available within the blog. Please feel free to pass this around to others you may work with. We need a strong response directly from the voters to her to stop her from introducing such legislation.
http://blog.stopextinction.org
Other Information and upcoming events:
The Annual San Francisco Trout Unlimited Dinner/Raffle/Auction Gala is coming up Wed. March 17, 2010 at the St Francis Yacht Club. If you are a member or become one soon, RSVP's are required by March 5th. (Note, the required dress code is "blue jeans and blazers".