Scientists Plead To Save The Longfin Smelt

October 11, 2007

Release from: Leslie Brinkley
KGO

CONCORD, Calif. - Protecting the endangered Delta Smelt is already impacting water supply for California farmers. Now its close cousin, the Longfin Smelt, is attracting attention. Today, more evidence came before the Fish and Game commission concerning its decline in the Delta.

Bay Area activists and scientists pleaded with the Fish and Game Commission to take emergency action to save the Longfin Smelt. The 4-inch silver fish, once abundant in the bay and Delta, are nearing extinction.

"I found that Longfin Smelt numbers in 2007 were 96 percent lower than the numbers measured in the previous 4 years, given that those years were record lows for the species anyway. I was horrified by those numbers."

By declaring Longfin Smelt endangered on an emergency basis, biologists hoped to further restrict the use of Central Valley pumps where the fish spawn. Like its cousin, the Delta Smelt, Longfin Smelt are the 'canary in the coal mine' they say.

However, advocates representing agricultural water users claimed an emergency was unnecessary. They say Longfin Smelt may be disappearing in California, but their range extends far north of here.

"In Alaska for example, a recent status review was done and the species was found to be abundant there."

In the end, the commission voted against an emergency, but the plight of Longfin Smelt did register.

"That's my position as a commissioner at this point. I would not support the emergency ruling. The department does recognize that Longfin Smelt populations have declined substantially and substantial threats do exist to the species."

While the Longfin Smelt wasn't put on emergency status, the Fish and Game Commission insisted on speeding up the process. They could officially make it an endangered species candidate by February 2008.