Hundreds of Endangered Fish Rescued from Bodies of Water Damaged by L.A. Fires
Rescue Operation Led by California Department of Fish and Wildlife
A removal of more than 250 endangered southern steelhead trout took place last Thursday at Topanga Creek in a rescue operation led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Severe Degradation of Creek’s Watershed
Officials said the creek’s watershed was severely degraded by the Palisades Fire, and it may remain uninhabitable for the species for years.
Rescue Efforts Underway
“Rescuing this genetically unique population of trout needs to happen now,” said Rosi Dagit, principal conservation biologist with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, adding that recent rainfall likely caused even further damaged to the creek’s water quality.
The trout were transported to the CDFW Fillmore Hatchery in Santa Paula for safekeeping while efforts are made to identify a new habitat. Plans are underway to relocate the trout to a suitable watershed in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service.
Additional Rescue Efforts
Wildlife rescuers and researchers also rescued more than 750 tidewater gobies from the Topanga Lagoon, located downstream from Topanga Creek in an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.
The hundreds of freshwater fish have since been transferred to a Heal the Bay holding facility in Santa Monica and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach for safekeeping. That rescue operation included RCDSMM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and CSU Channel Islands.
Future Plans for the Gobies
The gobies will remain in human care for the foreseeable future until significant rain events are able to “flush out debris left over from the Palisades Fire, and they can be safely returned to the wild,” the Aquarium of the Pacific said.
Conclusion
The rescue efforts demonstrate the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats, especially in the face of devastating natural disasters like wildfires. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with other agencies and organizations, have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of these fish and their future survival.
FAQs
Q: How many endangered fish were rescued?
A: Over 250 endangered southern steelhead trout and more than 750 tidewater gobies were rescued.
Q: Why were the fish rescued?
A: The fish were rescued due to the severe degradation of the creek’s watershed caused by the Palisades Fire, making it uninhabitable for the species.
Q: Where are the fish being kept?
A: The trout are being kept at the CDFW Fillmore Hatchery in Santa Paula, while the gobies are being kept at a Heal the Bay holding facility in Santa Monica and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Q: What are the plans for the fish’s future?
A: Plans are underway to relocate the trout to a suitable watershed in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service, and the gobies will remain in human care until significant rain events allow them to be safely returned to the wild.
