Saving California’s Delta fish demands bold new strategies

Californians are blessed with a dazzling array of freshwater species. I should know: I’ve experienced much of this diversity firsthand while exploring the state’s mountains, rivers, lakes, valleys, bays and coastline.

As a child I spent so much time in the water that my family joked that I should be considered part frog.

I turned my passion for the natural world into a profession: as a trained biologist, I spent decades working for California’s Department of Water Resources. As its lead scientist, I grew to better understand the many challenges facing our waterways and the species that call them home. Working to improve conditions for these species has been the privilege of my life.

At the same time, I have witnessed startling and heartbreaking declines in native freshwater species. During my 30 years working on the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta, I watched in dismay as an entire community of fishes disappeared, resulting in the listing of six different fishes (including the winter-run Chinook salmon) under the state and federal Endangered Species Acts.

We now live in a world in which a few extreme events — a few heat waves, or a major wildfire — could wipe some of California’s native freshwater species off the face of the planet. And climate change, which is moving faster than predicted, is making it even tougher to save these species.

Many ecologists, agency staff, and others have toiled for decades to improve conditions for California’s native species. But our efforts have not  been enough. The window to save these species is closing faster than we’d like to admit. Despite many laudable programs and well-intentioned efforts, California lacks a full-fledged statewide strategy for conserving native freshwater species in the face of climate change.

That inspired a new report from the Public Policy Institute of California, detailing what’s needed to meet the moment. In the report, we explain why business as usual — or even done better — is unlikely to avert the worst impacts of climate change on our freshwater species.

California needs a new approach. We need to take risks.

Much of what we’re currently doing to improve aquatic habitat is essential to help species adapt to changing conditions. To be successful, we also need to greatly diversify our actions with bold new approaches.

It’s time to build a portfolio of actions to save these species.

This approach should move well beyond simply restoring habitat. Solely focusing on habitat has failed to aid California’s unique freshwater species, and the threats are growing with climate change. We need to use existing and emerging technology to support and supplement populations, restore connections to historical habitats and even to move species when it becomes necessary. And we need to take action to improve genetic diversity, an underappreciated but necessary ingredient for responding to climate change.

We also must be courageous enough to acknowledge that some species may disappear from their historic ranges, despite our best efforts. This is why there should be immediate investments in a historical conservation program that includes tissue archives, genetic libraries and seed banks of native species to facilitate future reintroductions.