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.
POD Science Review Panel Overview
The review was originally intended to provide an independent review of (1) the initial results of the POD Investigation's 2005 activities, and (2) the investigation's proposed 2006 workplan. However, due to time and staff constraints, the IEP was unable to provide a draft of the 2006 workplan, so the review focused on the 2005 IEP POD Workplan and the 2005 IEP POD Synthesis Report. These written materials were augmented by a two-day working seminar held jointly in Sacramento by the CALFED Science Program, the IEP Management Team, and available POD principle investigators on November 14-15, 2005, and by individual discussions between panel members and IEP staff. The report provides the panel's perspectives on the data synthesis presented and on IEP project element issues, and makes recommendations for improvements in analyzing, interpreting, and defining appropriate context for future IEP POD-oriented investigations.
For a more detailed look at the Science Review Panel Report, please read the full document: