Monitoring spring-run Chinook Salmon in Deer Creek
Photo by Terri Moore, CDFG

Introduction:
The goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive monitoring plan for Central Valley Chinook Salmon, which when implemented, will provide fishery managers the data necessary to assess Chinook population status and trends. This information is necessary as part of an overall strategy to ensure Chinook conservation and is critical to moving forward on numerous management and recovery efforts.

The benefits of developing a monitoring program include:
 

• Providing a sound basis for implementing protective measures and assessing recovery of listed stocks;
• Assisting in the evaluation of restoration projects, such as those implemented and funded through the Central Valley Project Improvement Act, the Anadromous Fish Restoration Program, and California Bay-Delta Authority;
• Fulfilling regulatory needs to assess and quantify population impacts from authorized activities such as water diversions, fisheries, and hatchery programs;
• Evaluating the contribution of hatchery fish to Central Valley Chinook populations;
• Providing life history information helpful to improve the management of Chinook in the Central Valley.

Existing Program Review:
The first phase of the project is to review and critique all existing Chinook monitoring programs in the Central Valley. The program review will identify sampling protocols, project strengths and weaknesses, and provide recommendations for additional monitoring projects.

Comprehensive Monitoring Plan:
The comprehensive monitoring plan will develop a spatially and temporally balanced sampling protocol that when implemented will allow for statistically defensible estimates of population status. The plan will incorporate an adaptive management strategy, and recommend a standardized database structure, as well as standardized reporting techniques.

Key contacts:
To find contact information for current monitoring programs in the Central Valley please see the document section below.

For more information about the Central Valley Chinook Comprehensive Monitoring Plan contact:
Jennifer M. Bergman
Fisheries Biologist
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
California Dept. of Fish and Game
830 "S" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
email: JBERGMAN@dfg.ca.gov