Understanding eelgrass (Zostera marine) ecology & resiliency in natural & restored beds of San Francisco Bay

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 7 - Marine, Monterey, has issued a scientific permit under Fish and Game Code Section 2081(a) to San Francisco State University’s Estuary and Ocean Science Center. The project, titled Understanding eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecology and resiliency in natural and restored beds of San Francisco Bay, focuses on research within the waters off Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, and San Francisco counties. The permit authorizes the potential capture of several species listed under the California Endangered Species Act, including longfin smelt, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, white sturgeon, and Delta smelt, provided the activities do not cause serious or major disturbance to these species. Year-round research sampling will be conducted through December 31, 2028, utilizing fish traps, beach seines, hoop nets, and fyke nets. This project is classified as a forecast with NAICS code 541715 and is exempt from major environmental disturbance under California Code Regulations section 15306 for information collection. The primary points of contact for the initiative are Environmental Scientist Dylan Inskeep and project applicant Katharyn Boyer.