POD! Fish- DFG Summer Townet Survey Juvenile fish sampling 1959-2006

Since 1959, this survey has developed indices for the abundance of young striped bass when the average size is 38 mm by sampling 31 stations from San Pablo Bay through the Delta. The original purpose was to predict recruitment to the adult stock but the index has proven valuable in gauging the environmental health of the estuary. Young striped bass abundance is primarily a function of Delta outflow, Delta water exports and egg production. Abundance indices for other species have also revealed important trends. For example, the index for delta smelt was useful in determining its status as a threatened species. This survey is mandated by the 1995 USFWS Biological Opinion (BO) for delta smelt on the operation of the SWP and CVP.