Endangered Fish Rescued from Fire-Damaged Waters

Last week, wildlife officials removed hundreds of endangered fish from waterways severely impacted by the Palisades Fire. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), alongside Conservation groups, led the effort to save more than 250 southern steelhead trout from Topanga Creek.

Due to fire damage and declining water quality, experts fear the creek will remain unsuitable for the trout for years. “Rescuing this genetically unique population of trout needs to happen now,” said Rosi Dagit, a principal Conservation biologist with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM). The rescued trout have been relocated to the CDFW Fillmore Hatchery in Santa Paula until a permanent habitat can be identified.

Additionally, more than 750 tidewater gobies were rescued from the Topanga Lagoon, a coastal inlet downstream of the creek. The fish were transferred to holding facilities operated by Heal the Bay and the Aquarium of the Pacific. According to the aquarium, the gobies will remain in human care until heavy rainfall can safely clear fire debris from their habitat.

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(excerpt) Last week, wildlife officials removed hundreds of endangered fish from waterways severely impacted by the Palisades Fire.