We have an opportunity for you to take action and protect Southern California steelhead trout. CalTrout is currently leading the effort to have this fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss) listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (ESA). We need you to join us at the California Fish and Game Commission meeting (virtually) on Thursday, Feb. 17 to voice your support.
Listing this species as endangered will be the first step that California state agencies take to better inform their future fishery management decisions. Southern steelhead are an ecologically important species, serving as one of the best indicators of total watershed health. Protecting native fish will ultimately restore our rivers.
It is imperative that we relay these messages to California’s Fish and Game Commission (FGC) and urge a ‘yes’ vote to list Southern steelhead. We are anticipating opposition groups to also attend, so we really need our members showing their support of protecting Southern steelhead and healthy Southern Californian rivers. Special districts opposing the State listing have delayed their duties to protect these fish under their federal ESA listing, which demonstrates the need for state listing.
How You Can Help
Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 17 starting at 8:30 am and join the meeting online. This is where the Commission will provide the opportunity for any person to request 2 minutes to submit vocal comments. Here are some suggested main talking points:
- “I support the petition to list Southern California steelhead as endangered under CESA.”
- “This species’ continued existence is clearly threatened by loss of habitat.”
- “I urge the Commission to vote ‘yes’ and move this process forward today. There is no time to waste before we lose this species forever.”
Here is the FGC meeting agenda and instructions to join the virtual meeting.
Click here to read about the importance that this species plays in watershed integrity and water security in the public support letter CalTrout has been circulating.
We look forward to seeing you all virtually this Thursday as we all show up to support the further protection of native Southern California steelhead trout.
Cover photo by Mark Capelli.
