Monitoring & Research of Marine and Freshwater Fish, Invertebrates, Plankton, & Benthic Communities in Coastal and Inland Waters of SoCal

The Department of Fish and Wildlife has authorized Karin Wisenbaker of Aquatic Bioassay & Consulting Laboratories to conduct year-round monitoring and sampling of marine and freshwater species in coastal and inland waters of Southern California through December 31, 2029, under Fish and Game Code Section 2081(a). This permit permits the incidental take of coho salmon, steelhead trout, and Chinook salmon for educational and scientific purposes tied to compliance with mandatory National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits for multiple sanitation districts and agencies including the City of Avalon, City of Oxnard, City of Santa Barbara, Goleta Sanitation District, Montecito Sanitation District, Carpentaria Sanitation District, South San Luis Obispo Sanitation District, Avila Beach Community Services District, and the San Gabriel River Regional Monitoring Program. Sampling methods include bottom trawls and hook-and-line fishing with swimbaits, targeting fish, invertebrates, plankton, and benthic communities to support water quality assessment and regulatory compliance. The activity is confined to California waters and is overseen by California Fish and Wildlife Region 7 - Marine in Monterey, with Dylan Inskeep serving as the primary environmental scientist and project contact.