Tippets: Warming Waters, Washington Steelhead Plates, Montana Invests in Future of Fisheries, Steelhead Return to Carmel River

March 30, 2016 By: Erin Block

  • Warming water temperatures and increased fishing pressure are altering ocean fisheries. An article by Ted Morton highlights the need for management changes via Pew Charitable Trusts.
  • Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently signed legislation that approved the sale of license plates featuring the state’s iconic steelhead. Sale of the plates will help fund restoration efforts for Washington’s wild steelhead populations.
  • The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved $458k for stream channel restoration, riparian fencing, planting vegetation to stabilize stream banks, construction of barriers to protect cutthroat trout, replacing fords and undersized culverts to allow for fish movement, increasing flow to streams, relocating roads to reduce sediment delivery, and removing mine waste to improve water quality. Via The Billings Gazette.
  • After the removal of the San Clemente Dam, migrating steelhead are being spotted in California’s Carmel River. “Hopes are high for the previously at-risk river’s future and the species that rely on it for survival in the wake of last year’s major completion of the largest dam removal project in state history.” Via The Monterey Herald.