Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are reviewing unusual environmental conditions in the Pacific Ocean as a possible culprit for the dramatically low returns of Chinook and Coho salmon to rivers and streams along the West Coast of the United States last year.

Researchers from NOAA’s Northwest and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers are comparing data on the low food production of the “California Current” in 2005 that occurred when this year’s returning salmon would have been entering the ocean from their natal streams to feed and grow.

The cold waters of the California Current flow southward from Alaska along the Pacific coast. These ocean currents combine with marine winds to produce what is called “upwelling,” an ocean condition that brings nutrients to the ocean’s surface and is the main source of nourishment for the ocean’s food web.

In 2005, a southward shift in the jet stream delayed favorable winds and upwelling for the California Current, which normally begins in spring. The winds instead arrived in mid-July, causing high surface water temperatures and very low nutrient production within the nearshore marine ecosystem.

“We are not dismissing other potential causes for this year’s low salmon returns,” said Usha Varanasi, NOAA Fisheries Service Science Center Director for the Northwest Region.

“But the widespread pattern of low returns along the West Coast for two species of salmon indicates an environmental anomaly occurred in the California Current in 2005.”

Data released Thursday by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council indicate the 2007 returns of fall Chinook salmon to the Sacramento River in California’s Central Valley were only one-third of what fishery biologists expected.

Projections for 2008 are even lower.

Coho salmon returning to spawn in California and Oregon streams are also considerably lower than predicted. In a preliminary analysis of 12 streams monitored in California, an average of just 27 percent of the parental stock returned.

Coho salmon are listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act in the Central/Northern California and Southern Oregon watersheds.

NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events.

It is an information delivery service for transportation, and provides environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

Help wildlife with your tax return

More than 300 species of California wildlife are currently listed as endangered or threatened, with hundreds more at risk. California taxpayers can support the Department of Fish and Game’s Rare and Endangered Species Preservation program by donating a few dollars to this dedicated fund using their state tax return forms.

“The generous donations we receive from taxpayers are critical to our endangered species research and monitoring efforts,” said Dale Steele, DFG Wildlife Species Conservation Program Manager.

“These funds have provided critical support for many state-listed endangered species such as the Swainson’s hawk, island fox, California condor, Bakersfield cactus, California tiger salamander and many more.”

California is one of 41 states that allow taxpayers to make a voluntary, tax-deductible contribution to one or more worthwhile causes in the Contributions section of their state return.

Since 1983, the tax check-off fund for Rare and Endangered Species has raised more than $17 million and has supported numerous projects, including the identification of a previously-unknown population of the California black rail, a rare and elusive bird found in the eastern foothills of the Sacramento Valley.

The discovery has allowed wildlife biologists to focus restoration attention on the rail’s foothill wetland habitat to help conserve the species.

Last year, a new tax check-off fund was created to specifically benefit the sea otter, which is both federally- and state-listed as threatened.

The historically widely-hunted sea otter was once thought to be extinct in California, but a small population was rediscovered near Bixby Creek along the Big Sur coastline in the very early 20th century.

“This tax check-off program is the only fundraiser dedicated to researching the reasons behind prime-age adult sea otters deaths,” said Dave Jessup, senior wildlife veterinarian with DFG’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

“We’ve already been able to determine it’s not a simple problem of one disease, one pesticide or issue. Now we’re looking at which contributing factors can be better controlled, reduced or regulated. The tax check-off funds allow us to keep the research program going.”

The donation can be made on lines 53 and 60 of your California Form 540.

Amounts entered here will lower your refund or increase your tax due for 2007, but could be claimed as a deduction against your 2008 taxes.

Consult your tax adviser for more information on how this could apply to you.

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena. Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbc

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