Q&A: Salmon expert talks about needs

Domenic Giudice, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, answered emailed questions about this year’s salmon spawning:

Q. What are the main challenges for the fish this year?

A. The main challenges for chinook salmon will be the migration by juvenile salmon to the ocean. High spring flows contribute to higher juvenile survival. This is part of the reason why the Stanislaus River is experiencing such high returns. The Stanislaus River has adequate spring flows, whereas the Tuolumne River does not.

Q. What would help them in the short and long term?

A. Short term: A change in management such as using fall attraction flows in all years to allow fish to find their natal stream to spawn, and releasing additional water in the spring to increase juvenile survival during their migration to the ocean. Long term: Habitat restoration projects to improve juvenile habitat and adult spawning habitat.

Q. Can there be a balance between the needs of salmon and human water uses?

A. Yes. With cooperation between all interested parties using water (agriculture, industry, municipal, recreation and environmental), water management decisions can be better made to meet the needs of all parties.

Q. Why is it important to save the salmon?

A. It is important to protect salmon for many reasons:

▪ Salmon are part of a large commercial fishing industry.

▪ Salmon are also a highly prized sport fish for recreational fisherman.

▪ Salmon bring back large amounts of nutrients from the ocean and deposit them into the rivers.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "Q&A: Salmon expert talks about needs."