South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Program Volunteers

Friends

It's been a long time since I've posted anything.  I've been really busy with my career.  Which is why I am writing this article.  For that past two years I have been working on developing a monitoring program for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Program http://www.southbayrestoration.org/  We are trying to restore former salt ponds owned by Cargill to managed ponds for ducks and shorebirds and to fully tidal marsh.  Since the beginning of the project, it has just grown and grown, and I am now realizing that this may just be two big for a small group of fish science geeks.  The project has many tasks, but one new one is to monitor leopard shark use of restored ponds.  The restorations have occurred by simply punching wholes in levees and let the tides do the rest.  One thing we have learned is that at the top of the ebb tide leopards shark fishing goes off the hook just on the outside of the pond breaches.  Many of these places are not easily accessible to the public, but of course I have keys to gates and such.  I'm discussing with the program manager a volunteer program for monitoring leopard sharks.  The program uses a lot of volunteer birders, so why not fishers.  I think I a making some headway with this, but it would take some educations, training and of course paperwork.  But I'm wondering (sure) that many of you would love help out.  I'm brainstorming different ways this could happen, from a select group being given access to some of these locations to having a leopard shark derby.  Of course since we are interested in the science it would be catch and release, but with some very simple training you all could do some fun fishing and contribute to our knowledge of the benefits of salt pond restoration to leopard sharks.  The program is also very interested in establishing a benefit to the public by increasing shoreline access and recreational activities, so I am thinking an NCKA team would be an ideal opportunity to meet both of these goals.  So if you  are interested in volunteering send me an e-mail to jahobbs@ucdavis.edu. There are other opportunities to get involved as well, we do many different forms of fish sampling that I'm sure many of you would find fascinating.  I think the restoration efforts are going to be a good thing for fish and fishing opportunities in South San Francisco Bay. 

Hope to see you on the water soon

Jim "Inseine" Hobbs

i am in.....this could be educating and fun at the same time.

Dude! Definitely in.

Do we get access to the sturgeon intel as well?   

-Allen

Count me in!  I love me some shark fishing (& releasing).

~Bill

I'd be happy to help.

The study is seasonal and one particular spot is very much a sturgeon hot spot.  In fact I talked to a guy last weekend and watched him pull in a fish that was pushing 8ft.  The sturgeon love these pond breaches too. 

hey we never got the invite?

http://www.mercurynews.com/science/ci_23709144/leopard-sharks-flourishing-south-san-francisco-bay-wetlands

How fun would that be? 30 fish in an hour? 

I'm in

I want in!

i guess we're not good enough

Bummer

He asked us to send an email if interested (I didn't, either).

So if you  are interested in volunteering send me an e-mail to jahobbs@ucdavis.edu.