2021 Enhanced Predatory Fish Removal and Relocation Study
The Enhanced Predatory Fish Removal and Relocation Study (EPFRRS) was developed as part of the proposed action during the 2019 Reinitiation of Consultation on Long-Term Operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (ROC on LTO) and was included in the Incidental Take Permit for the State Water Project (SWP ITP). The goal of EPFRRS is to use the most successful methods from previous studies, such as the Predator Reduction Electrofishing Study (PRES) and the Predatory Fish Relocation Study (PFRS), to reduce predation on protected fish species in Clifton Court Forebay (CCF), primarily juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead. The 2021 field season of EPFRRS ran from March 8 through May 12, following a two-month delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, there was a 2-week pause during the field season, beginning on April 14 and running through April 27, due to COVID-19 concerns. There were four gear types used during the 2021 field season; electrofishing, beach seine, hoop traps, and hook-and-line.
Data files
Supporting files
| Data title and description | Access data | File details | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
EPFRRS 2021 Annual Report Electrofishing consisted of two boats focusing on hotspots identified during PRES. The beach seine was a 2000 ft seine that was the most effective of the two seines used during PFRS. Hoop traps were deployed, then retrieved after 24-48 hours of passive fishing. Hook-and-line was intended to focus on areas that were inaccessible to other gear types or where other gear types might be less efficient. Predatory fish removed included black basses, Striped Bass, catfish, and sunfish. However, sunfish were removed opportunistically and were not specifically fished for. Fieldwork was scheduled for four days a week, Monday through Thursday, each week. However, fieldwork was canceled if weather presented unsafe working conditions. In total, field work was conducted on 26.5 days during the field season. | PDF | 06/24/26 |