The story the fish tells us is clear. If we don’t act, we face losing our native salmon, steelhead and trout species. This would be tragic, not just because we would lose these iconic species, their beauty, their mystery, but as importantly, we would lose what they signify – cold, clean water, healthy rivers, a better California. As a proud Californian, I take this personally.
I care about the legacy I leave to my daughters, and to their children. California is a great state. We’re the innovators, the pioneers, one of the most important food-producing regions in the world, and the leaders in technology.
We have unmatched geographic diversity, from an epic coastline to the magnificent Sierra, majestic redwoods to the open beauty of the desert. What would the loss of our native fish mean for who we are?
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes by Wallace Stegner, an orator of California who referred to the West as the ‘geography of hope’ and emphasized that we have an opportunity to create ‘a society to match its scenery.’
Are we up to the challenge? This report tells the story of the fish. Its findings lay out a clear set of actions and a path forward. The science, findings and actions can be a guide not just for CalTrout but for all organizations, agencies, regulators and funders who care about California’s fish and their waters. We encourage this report being used as the blueprint to work together to reverse the trend toward extinction and return California’s native salmonids to resilience.
The time to act is now. We have lost one species already – the Bull trout – in 1975. Since that time, California’s human population has almost doubled. The fact that we still have 31 different kinds of salmon, steelhead and trout underscores their inherent resilience. But the recent drought has reminded us how close we are to losing more of these species. For example, the Sacramento River winter-run Chinook was likely only one dry year away from disappearing. Forever. In 50 years, what will California be? What legacy will we leave? Will we still be the leaders, the innovators, the food producers? Will we still have 31 kinds of trout, steelhead and salmon, or will we lose others on our watch?
At CalTrout, we believe the health of these fish is an indicator of the health of our water and of our beautiful state. We can reverse the trend. Together, we can ensure our legacy for future generations by passing on a California whose society matches its scenery.
SOS II: Fish in Hot Water
and how we can return them to resilience
Foreward by Curtis Knight, Executive Director, California Trout
Illustrations by Paul Waters