U.S. House Passes Harmful Fisheries Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 200, which would undermine science-based management and reverse progress of fisheries under the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation & Management Act, a decades old law that has helped over-fished areas recover. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.  Read Audubon's full statement here. 

H.R. 200 is bad news for marine birds in California. Iconic coastal birds such as the Brown Pelican, California Least Tern (a federally endangered species), Black-footed Albatross, Sooty Shearwater, and Tufted Puffin rely on a variety of forage fish such as northern anchovy, sardine,and juvenile rockfish.

Audubon urges the Senate to reject this bill that would have a lasting impact on seabirds.

The Least tern and their most important food

 “I love listening to them call when they return in the spring,” says Kate Grabenstein, a volunteer with Sea & Sage Audubon Society’s least tern project.  

The Pew Charitable Trust recently caught up with Kate to learn more about the terns, and about how improving anchovy protection can benefit the birds. Check out full article here. 

Regeneration at Audubon Kern River Preserve

Reed Tollefson recently spotted some cottonwood saplings, a sign of regeneration at the Audubon Kern River Preserve. 

After several years of drought the forest had some large patches of dead trees. These cottonwood saplings colonized a niche left by the dead trees after the 2016 flood. Floodwaters were followed by a decent amount of water in year two for these saplings. Baring another drought many of these young trees should thrive under Audubon’s stewardship.