Fish Data

Marine Science Institute
Volunteer Fish Data Program:

South San Francisco Bay Fish Populations from 1970 through 2007

The San Francisco Bay is a vitally important estuary for numerous species that spend at least part of their lives in the Bay, and it has been impacted by numerous anthropogenic (human) influences since our rapid population increase in the area around 1850.

A number of studies have investigated fish populations in the South San Francisco Bay. The earliest biological study of the San Francisco Bay occurred in 1912-3 on the research vessel the Albatross (Hedgpeth, 1979). Due to the deep draft of the vessel, efforts were concentrated in the deep water channel and collections were limited in scale. The California Department of Fish and Game has been conducting extensive and regular monitoring of fishes and certain invertebrates throughout the Bay since 1980. They currently sample on a monthly basis at 52 sites throughout the San Francisco Bay and Delta.

The Fish Data Program of the Marine Science Institute spans 40 years. Over twelve thousand surveys have been recorded in this time, with most performed in the South San Francisco Bay but occasionally taken from north of the Bay Bridge to far up in the Sacramento Delta. This study is unique; using trained volunteers to gather data that is quality controlled, allowing for intensive sampling on a frequent basis.

The Fish Data Program is made possible by the input of countless hours by fish data volunteers. For those interested in volunteering their time in MSI’s ongoing fish research contact Aaron (650)364-2760, extension 16.

Click a fish to view the analysis of their populations;