Central California Coast Steelhead
The Central California Coast Steelhead is a threatened species. NOAA Fisheries’ West Coast Region, along with the Science Centers, work to protect and conserve this species under the Endangered Species Act.
Species Status
ESA Listing Status: Threatened on August 18, 1997 (62 FR 43937) and January 5, 2006 (71 FR 834); updated April 14, 2014 (79 FR 20802)
DPS Description: This distinct population segment, or DPS, includes naturally spawned anadromous O. mykiss (steelhead) originating below natural and manmade impassable barriers from the Russian River to and including Aptos Creek, and all drainages of San Francisco and San Pablo Bays eastward to Chipps Island at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. This also includes steelhead from the following artificial propagation programs:
- Don Clausen Fish Hatchery Program
- Kingfisher Flat Hatchery Program (Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project).
Current Population Trends: Central California Coast Steelhead Status Reviews and Five-Year Updates
Critical Habitat: Designated September 2, 2005
Protective Regulations: Issued June 28, 2005 (70 FR 37159)
Recovery Plan: Final Coastal Multispecies Recovery Plan for California Coastal Chinook Salmon, Northern California Steelhead and Central California Coast Steelhead (2016)
Species Recovery
NOAA Fisheries delineated eight recovery domains, or geographic recovery planning areas, for the ESA-listed salmon and steelhead populations on the West Coast. The North Central California Coast Recovery Domain extends from the Redwood Creek watershed in Humboldt County south to Aptos Creek. It includes the tributaries of San Francisco Bay, but excludes the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basins (see map of recovery domains). There are five ESA-listed salmon and steelhead species in this domain:
- California Coastal Chinook salmon
- Northern California steelhead
- Central California Coast steelhead
- Central California Coast coho salmon
- Southern Oregon and Northern California Coast coho salmon (which has its own Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast Recovery Domain)
NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region manages recovery planning and implementation for this domain through its California Coastal Area Office.
Recovery Plan
Working with its partners, NOAA Fisheries released the Coastal Final Recovery Plan for California Coastal Chinook Salmon, Northern California steelhead and Central California Coast steelhead in October 2016. The plan is based on the biological needs of the fish and provides the foundation for restoring the populations to healthy levels.
Recovery Plan Resources
More Information
- Steelhead Status Reviews and Five-Year Updates
- Steelhead Federal Register Notices
- Salmon and Steelhead Federal Register Rules and Notices prior to August 2019
- Steelhead Maps & GIS Data
- Salmon Publications
- Steelhead Publications
- Salmon and Steelhead Hatcheries on the West Coast
- Learn about what you can do to help endangered and threatened salmon and steelhead recover
- Recent Stories
Contact
If you have questions, would like to learn more about recovery efforts in your watershed, or would like to get involved directly, please contact:
West Coast Region - California Coastal Office
Erin Seghesio
Email: Erin.Seghesio@noaa.gov
Phone: 707.578.8515