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Fish Rescues Overview |
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Rescues of stranded Steelhead adults & young have occurred for 26 years during April through October.
We do fish rescues from approximately the middle of May to the middle of August on the main stem of the Carmel River and its tributaries. Our schedule for these are usually on Wednesday at 5 PM and Saturday at about 7 AM. The volunteers who want to participate in this effort give us their email address and we send out a message indicating where and when the rescue will take place. Usually these rescue efforts last about 2 hours. We provide all of the equipment such as boots, gloves and refreshments. Volunteers only need to respond to these email messages if they can make it; that way we know if we will have enough people to carry out the rescue. We can be effective with as few as three people although it is best if we have five or six. Safety instructions together with a few minutes of training orientation are briefed before each rescue so that volunteers are comfortable with the activity.
Why are fish rescues necessary on the Carmel River and its tributaries? Our community diverts so much water from the watershed and the Carmel River that by the late spring and early summer months the lower portions of the river go dry and leave steelhead stranded in shallow pools. Two- thirds of the diverted water is diverted illegally and the Carmel River Steelhead Association is working hard to remedy these illegal diversions. How can I help with fish rescues? Give us your name and email address and we will put you on our list of rescue volunteers. If you don't have an email address we can also give you a phone call. Do I have to commit to every fish rescue effort? Not at all! Some of our volunteers can only make one or two during a season and that is fine. Others make almost all of them--it is up to you and what time you have to devote to this exciting activity. Is there an age requirement to participate in fish rescues? Yes. Generally persons 12 and older is required. Sometimes we have used younger people for such tasks as managing the fish counter if their parent or guardian is present. Can I bring my dog along on a rescue? Sorry! Part of the rescue process is putting an electric current into the water to momentarily stun the fish so we can capture them in our nets. This current, if the dog happened to be in the water at the time, would also be felt by the dog. We are protected from this current because we wear rubber boots and rubber gloves.
To get involved contact Frank Emerson.
E-mail: frank.t.emerson@gmail.com cel phone 831.277.0544
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Carmel River Steelhead Association |
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