WHY FISH "FRIENDLY"?
The Chinook salmon and steelhead trout in northern and central California rivers are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Coho salmon are listed as endangered. Many different land uses--urban sprawl, reservoirs, gravel mining, roads and highways, water diversions, grazing, and logging as well as agriculture--have caused the decline of steelhead trout and salmon in California. Fish Friendly Farming (FFF) provides a comprehensive approach for farmers to restore habitat for these endangered species. Many farmers are avid fisherman and willing to implement practices that will recover salmon and steelhead populations.
The lifecycle and habitat needs of the salmon and steelhead trout form the basis for the Fish Friendly Farming program. Steelhead trout, Chinook and Coho salmon have a complex lifecycle involving freshwater streams and rivers and the ocean. These fish species are sensitive indicators of ecosystem health. Their recovery and conservation requires that human activities meet high environmental standards. Salmonids are sensitive to changes in water quality and quantity, water temperature, turbidity, and aquatic food webs. The decline of a salmonid population in a creek or river can give an early warning of the decline in the overall health of the environment. By focusing on improving conditions for salmon and trout, the Fish Friendly Farming program takes a comprehensive approach to environmentally friendly land management.