Pelagic Organism Decline Overview
In the last few years, the abundance indices calculated by the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP) Fall Midwater Trawl survey (FMWT) and Summer Townet Survey (TNS) show marked declines in numerous pelagic fishes in the upper San Francisco Estuary (the Delta and Suisun Bay) (IEP 2005). The abundance indices for 2002-2004 include record lows for delta smelt and age-0 striped bass and near-record lows for longfin smelt and threadfin shad.
In contrast, the San Francisco Bay Study did not show significant declines in its catches of marine/lower estuary species. Based on these findings, the problem appears to be limited to fish dependent on the upper estuary. In response to these changes, the IEP formed a Pelagic Organism Decline (“POD”) work team to evaluate the potential causes.
Pelagic Organism Decline Update (June 2008):
The IEP's Pelagic Organism Decline Management Team produces an annual workplan that describes the research that will be funded and conducted in the coming 1-2 years to increase scientific understanding of the POD. The CALFED Science Program coordinates with the IEP to develop and distribute the workplan updates and fund elements of the POD research program. This is the final 2008 IEP POD Workplan.
Pelagic Organism Decline Update (January 2008):
Pelagic Organism Decline Update (24 May 2006):
- REVIEW PANEL REPORT: San Francisco Estuary Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Interagency Ecological Program on Pelagic Organism Decline
- IEP Review Panel Report Response Document
- IEP 2006-2007 Workplan
- IEP 2006-2007 Workplan (updated 1/12/07)