California Coho Salmon - a Species ‘at the Edge' – an Assessment of Current Recovery Status

In California, coho salmon populations can be considered to be ‘at the edge’ from two perspectives; 1. They are situated at the southernmost limit of the global geographic range of the species, 2. Recent population declines in many of California’s coastal watersheds have resulted in the species being listed under both the state and federal Endangered Species Acts as either threatened or endangered and many populations may be at the edge of local extinction. As a result of these listings, state and federal agencies recently produced separate recovery plans. However, coho salmon populations in many of California’s coastal watersheds continue to decline, some to the point of extirpation. The plight of the species is further compounded by on-going severe drought conditions across most of California, which may lead to reduced stream flows and increased water temperatures, potentially increasing fish mortality across the range of distribution. The situation of California coho salmon at the southernmost edge of the natural range of the species may also make fish more susceptible to any adverse effects of climate change. In this presentation we will review the status of coho salmon recovery in California’s coastal watersheds, focusing on habitat restoration and captive rearing programs.