Fish Threatened by El Niño Seek Sanctuary in Birch Aquarium at Scripps Along the Piercamps
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is temporarily housing 300 endangered Southern California Tidewater Gobies to shield them from the destructive effects of El Niño storms. These small fish, native to the coastal lagoons and estuaries of California, rarely exceed two inches.
Historically, Tidewater Gobies were found from Del Norte County to San Diego County, but are now found in fewer locations due to development, diversion of streams and estuaries, pollution, and the introduction of non-native species. The fish are kept separated into two different populations while living at Birch Aquarium, spread through 12 large tanks.
The public can visit the Tidewater Gobies at the aquarium's nursery, located in the Hall of Fishes. Some of the endangered fish may be pregnant, and if they successfully breed, the juveniles will be returned to the wild.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have expressed concern about the potential negative impacts of El Niño storms on the Tidewater Goby's population. To mitigate these effects, conservation efforts typically include monitoring and restoring the goby's coastal wetland habitat, managing freshwater inflows and sediment levels in estuaries, and implementing community awareness and emergency response programs to reduce human impacts during extreme weather events.
Nearly 300 Tidewater Gobies were collected at multiple locations at Camp Pendleton by biologists from UCLA, CDFW, USFWS, and Camp Pendleton, and brought to Birch Aquarium. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton completed an emergency action plan to evacuate some of the Tidewater Goby population.
Once the El Niño storm season has passed, the Tidewater Gobies will be returned to their original habitats. Long-term conservation of Tidewater Gobies requires continued protection and restoration of degraded habitat.
Endangered Species Day is on May 20, and the public is invited to learn more about helping threatened and endangered ocean animals. The Tidewater Goby, scientifically known as Eucyclogobius newberryi, is an endangered species native to California, and its protection is crucial for the preservation of California's coastal ecosystems. The Tidewater Gobies are doing well in the sandy-bottomed tanks and eating brine shrimp.
The conservation efforts for Tidewater Gobies extend beyond shielding them from El Niño storms, as they also aim to combat the effects of pollution and habitat degradation in the realm of environmental science. Additionally, mental health and wellness of the public are promoted through educational programs about the importance of protecting endangered species like the Tidewater Goby, in an attempt to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the health of our ecosystems.
