October 27, 2004

Steehead trout were spotted jumping at the BART weir at 11 am this morning by a reliable observer. One adult fish steelhead has been seen so far as well as numerous half-pounders. The Fisheries Biologist with the East Bay Regional Park District will likely try to document these fish tomorrow, so be prepared to come to the BART weir and help if the call goes out. I can be reached on my cell phone at (510) 499-9185 to check to see if we need volunteers tomorrow (Thursday).

We still have no federal or state permit to move fish upstream, a major failure of the regulatory agencies to allow interim fish passage while we try to push forward stalled fish passage restoration projects. The EBRPD biologist has permission to capture fish to move them downstream to the Bay if they are in danger of getting stranded or de-watered, but not upstream to where they can spawn. We can take fin clips and document fish if they are moved downstream.

This is the last year the ACA will allow fish passage to be blocked without an interim fish passage plan and permits to move fish upstream - if a plan and permits are not in place by next fall, we will pursue legal action for past and ongoing take under the ESA and violations of Fish and Game Codes.

An Alameda County Water District employee reportedly observed a 15 pound salmonid at the lower rubber dam yesterday, likely a chinook salmon. There had been several unconfirmed reports of salmonids in the lower creek this past week.

I also received a completely reliable report of a river otter observed yesterday for 15 minutes swimming in Alameda Creek just below the BART weir - probably chasing fish.