English

William A Bennett

doi:10.15447/sfews.2005v3iss2art1

Abstract

English

Highlights

The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is currently at the forefront of environmental concern in California
In the early 1980s, abundance declined dramatically resulting in its listing as threatened under the Federal and California State Endangered Species Acts (ESA) in 1993 (Federal Register 1993, Appendix A-1 Sweetnam and Stevens 1993)
Since the ESA listings protective measures to reduce losses of delta smelt in diverted freshwater have raised substantial controversy because they can have a major influence on how water is managed and allocated throughout California

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is currently at the forefront of environmental concern in California. Since the ESA listings protective measures to reduce losses of delta smelt in diverted freshwater have raised substantial controversy because they can have a major influence on how water is managed and allocated throughout California. New information on delta smelt has increased substantially since the ESA listing. Aspects of their biology and ecology were first compiled by Moyle (1976; Moyle and others 1992) and by the resource management agencies (Stevens and others 1990; Sweetnam and Stevens 1993; DWR–USBR 1993; Sweetnam 1999). Since much has been learned about delta smelt biology and ecology, prompting the need for comprehensive synthesis Even with this new information, three fundamental questions remain: 1. What is the impact of human activities, water export operations, on population abundance?

Are there potential avenues for restoration and recovery?

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Findings

C Histopathology