Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office
3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130
Sacramento, CA 95821-6340

99-09

Contact: Patricia Foulk, Sacramento, California - 916/979-2710
E-mail: Patricia_Foulk@mail.fws.gov

For Release March 19, 1999

BLUEPRINT FOR RECOVERING STATE'S ONLY
NATIVE FRESHWATER SHRIMP NOW AVAILABLE

SACRAMENTO -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released the recovery plan for the endangered California freshwater shrimp, the state's only native stream-dwelling shrimp. The shrimp is protected by both the Federal and California endangered species acts.

The California freshwater shrimp is similar in appearance to other North American freshwater shrimp. The adults are generally less than 2-inches long, with the females being larger than the males. Male shrimp are nearly transparent with small flecks of color that help them pass as decaying vegetation, an illusion that can keep them from falling prey to fish. Female shrimp range from a dark brown to purple color. Both sexes may darken their bodies uniformly or gradually from top to bottom. Ancestors of this 10-legged crustacean can be traced as far back as 190 million years ago.

The freshwater shrimp is found in lowland perennial streams or pools, preferably 12 to 36 inches deep, with exposed live roots along submerged undercut banks having overhanging vegetation and vines. Populations of the California freshwater shrimp can be found only in 17 streams in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties. The streams where the shrimp now occur are: Keys, Lagunitas, Olema, Stemple, and Walker creeks in Marin County; Big Austin, Blucher, East Austin, Garnett, Green Valley, Jonive, Redwood, Salmon, Sonoma, and Yulupa creeks in Sonoma County; and Huichica Creek and Napa River in Napa County. With the exception of Lagunitas Creek, which flows through Samuel P. Taylor State Park and Golden Gate National Recreation Area, these creeks flow through private lands.

Existing shrimp populations are threatened by introduced fish, deterioration or loss of habitat resulting from water diversion, impoundments, livestock and dairy activities, agricultural activities and developments, flood control activities, gravel mining, timber harvesting, migration barriers ( including summer dams), and water pollution.

The objectives of this recovery plan are to recover and delist the California freshwater shrimp when viable, self-sustaining populations and their habitat are secured and managed within all 17 watersheds harboring shrimp and to enhance habitat conditions for native aquatic organisms that currently coexist or have occurred historically with the California freshwater shrimp.

Conservation measures aimed at restoring the freshwater shrimp's habitat are on-going. At Lagunitas Creek, the California State Coastal Conservancy funded improvement activities to reduce soil erosion caused by grazing, logging, and development activities. Their actions have been successful in controlling stream-bank erosion and sedimentation. In addition, the Coastal Conservancy provided Circuit Rider Productions, a nonprofit organization, with $1.2 million to develop and implement a project to reduce sedimentation in four streams, including Salmon Creek. Students from the Brookside Elementary School in San Anselmo, Marin County, adopted the shrimp and formed a "Shrimp Club" to help recover the shrimp. Members of the Shrimp Club, with cooperation from a local dairy farmer, planted blackberries, willows, and native grasses along a portion of Stemple Creek. The Nature Conservancy, through their Land Owner Contact Program, gained voluntary cooperation to protect the shrimp with various landowners along Blucher Creek. Furthermore, in the Huichica Creek watershed, the Napa County Resource Conservation District created the Huichica Creek Land Stewardship group consisting of landowners, local, State, and Federal agencies to develop and implement a long-term conservation plan for the watershed.

The goal of the Endangered Species Act is to recover species to levels where protection under the act is no longer necessary. Recovery plans provide a blueprint for actions by Federal, State, and other public agencies and private interests in the conservation of the endangered species and their ecosystem. Recovery plans do not obligate the expenditure of funds or require that actions be implemented.

A copy of the recovery plan can be obtained by writing Diane Elam, Recovery Coordinator, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 130, Sacramento, California 95821-6340.

-FWS-

Backgrounder & Q&A on the California Freshwater Shrimp Recovery Plan

California Freshwater Shrimp, Syncaris pacifica
Final Recovery Plan
March 1999
___________________________________________________________
Backgrounder

California Freshwater Shrimp
• These crustaceans are the state's only native stream-dwelling shrimp.
• Similar in appearance to other North American freshwater shrimp, the adults are generally less than 2-inches long, with the females being larger than the males. The male shrimp are nearly transparent with small flecks of color that help them pass as decaying vegetation. Female shrimp range from a dark brown to purple color.
• Ancestors of the 10-legged crustacean can be traced as far back as 190 million years ago.
• Populations of the California freshwater shrimp can only be found in 17 streams in Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.
• Freshwater shrimp are found in lowland perennial streams or pools, with exposed live roots along submerged undercut banks having overhanging vegetation and vines.
• Existing populations are threatened by introduced fish, deterioration or loss of habitat resulting from water diversion, impoundments, livestock and dairy activities, agricultural activities and developments, flood control activities, gravel mining, timber harvesting, migration barriers, summer dams, and water pollution.

Recovery Plan

• The recovery plan for the California freshwater shrimp outlines actions necessary for restoring the shrimp to a point where it is again a secure, self-sustaining member of its ecosystem, while at the same time enhancing habitat conditions for native aquatic organisms that currently coexist or have occurred historically with the California freshwater shrimp.

• Recommended actions include removing existing threats to known populations of shrimp; restoring habitat conditions favorable to shrimp and other native aquatic species; protecting and managing shrimp populations and habitat once the threats have been removed and restoration has been completed; monitoring and evaluating shrimp habitat conditions and populations; assessing effectiveness of various conservation efforts on shrimp; conducting research on the biology of the species; assembling a California freshwater shrimp recovery team; and increasing public awareness and involvement in the protection of the shrimp.

• Recovery plans do not obligate the expenditure of funds or require that actions be implemented.

• If recovery methods succeed, the shrimp could be removed from the endangered species list as early as 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions about the California Freshwater Shrimp Recovery Plan

Q. When was the California freshwater shrimp listed as an endangered species? What led to its listing?

A. The shrimp was Federally listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on November 30, 1988. No critical habitat was designated. The California Fish and Game Commission designated the shrimp as an endangered species on October 2, 1980.

Existing shrimp populations are threatened by introduced fish; deterioration or loss of habitat resulting from water diversion, impoundments, livestock and dairy activities, agricultural activities and developments, flood control activities, gravel mining, timber harvesting, migration barriers (including summer dams), and water pollution.

Q. What protections does a listing under the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) offer this species?

A. Listed species benefit from a variety of conservation measures under the ESA including increased public awareness and recognition, development of recovery plans and strategies, requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain activities. Collectively, these measures contribute to the survival and recovery of the species.

Q. Since the California freshwater shrimp is already State-listed, what benefits are derived from Federal listing?

A. State listing provides a measure of protection to the species; however, this law does not adequately prevent the ongoing loss of habitat.

Federal listing brings with it affirmative responsibilities for Federal agencies to use their authorities to bring listed species to the point at which protection under the ESA is no longer necessary. In addition, Federal agencies must consult with the Service on actions they fund, authorize, or permit, if such action is likely to adversely affect a listed species. The Service works closely with the California Department of Fish and Game to determine appropriate conservation measures when a proposed project may affect a species that is both Federally and State listed.

Q. What is meant by recovery?

A. Recovery is the process by which the decline of an endangered or threatened species is arrested or reversed, and threats neutralized so that its survival in the wild can be ensured. The goal of the Endangered Species Act is the recovery of listed species to levels where protection under the Act is no longer necessary.

Q. What are recovery plans?

A. Recovery plans are documents that detail the specific tasks needed to recover listed species. They provide a blueprint for private, Federal and State cooperation in the conservation of threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. A recovery plan is a reference document identifying actions that if implemented, are expected to recover the species. Any actions implemented must follow appropriate State, local, or Federal laws and regulations. Cooperation from private landowners is voluntary.

Q. Are recovery plans required by law?

A. Yes. Section 4(f) of the Endangered Species Act calls for the development and implementation of recovery plans for species listed as endangered or threatened unless such plans would not contribute to their conservation.

Q. How long does it take to write a recovery plan?

A. In July 1994, the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a policy stating that recovery plans are to be completed within two and a half years of the species' date of listing.

Q. Who writes a recovery plan?

A. Recovery plans may be written by biologists within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and may incorporate the expertise of individuals from other Federal or State agencies or private contractors. Another alternative is to form a recovery team to develop a plan. A new policy – part of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt's Ten Point Plan– significantly expanded recovery participation beginning in July 1994. The policy directs that local jurisdictions, private organizations, and affected citizens be included in recovery plan development and implementation. These changes in policy require that the Service solicit State agency expertise and participation in both recovery planning and implementation. Service policy emphasizes the importance of integrating Federal, Tribal, State, and private efforts to recover listed species. The Service reviews outside work and may modify drafts as necessary to ensure consistency, resolve disputes and establish priorities. Plans must identify management tasks, research needs, and other actions necessary to reach the plans' goals. Since 1994, to ensure that all recovery actions are based on the best available scientific information, the Service is requiring that all recovery plans be independently peer-reviewed.

Q. Who wrote the California freshwater shrimp recovery plan?

A. The recovery plan was prepared by Darren Fong, National Park Service, and Matthew Vandenberg, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Q. How was the public involved in the planning process?

A. On July 21,1997, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the draft recovery plan for the California freshwater shrimp for public comment. Comments were accepted through October 29, 1997. Seven letters were received, each containing varying numbers of comments. All comments were reviewed and are addressed in the final plan. Some comments received and incorporated into the recovery plan were those that provided evidence of shrimp in Olema Creek, detailed a more realistic approach to delisting, and suggested forming a recovery team to track progress of the shrimp.

Q. What are the primary objectives of the California freshwater shrimp recovery plan?

A. The objectives of this recovery plan are to recover and delist the California freshwater shrimp when viable, self-sustaining populations and their habitat are secured and managed within all 17 watersheds harboring shrimp, and to enhance habitat conditions for native aquatic organisms that currently coexist or have occurred historically with the California freshwater shrimp.

Q. What actions are needed to delist the California freshwater shrimp?

A. A variety of actions are needed if the California freshwater shrimp is going to survive. They include removing existing threats to known populations of shrimp; restoring habitat conditions favorable to shrimp and other native aquatic species in streams currently harboring shrimp; protecting and managing shrimp populations and habitat once the threats have been removed and restoration has been completed; monitoring and evaluating shrimp habitat conditions and populations; assessing effectiveness of various conservation efforts on shrimp; conducting research on the biology of the species; restoring and maintaining viable shrimp populations at extirpated localities; increasing public awareness and involvement in the protection of shrimp and native, cohabiting species; assessing effects of various conservation efforts on cohabiting, native species; and assembling a California freshwater shrimp recovery team.

Q. How soon does the Service anticipate delisting the California freshwater shrimp?

A. If the recommended recovery actions are implemented, it is believed the California freshwater shrimp could be delisted as soon as 2018.

Q. Why does it take so long for species to recover?

A. Typically, reversing or halting the decline of a species is a gradual process that may take years, or even decades. Experts may have an incomplete understanding of the cause of a species' decline. This makes designing an effective plan for recovering the species difficult. Research can usually identify what is causing the decline, but this takes time. Once the causes of decline have been correctly identified and recovery actions implemented, the unpredictable nature of ecological systems may produce unanticipated results, requiring development of new or modified approaches.

Q. How much will recovery of the California freshwater shrimp cost?

A. Since 1989, recovery plans have been required to contain cost estimates. These estimates are useful for planning, but may not reflect actual spending. For example, the recovery plan for the Ozark big-eared bat estimated spending for recovery at $2.6 million. This species is now considered stable; actual expenditures have totaled about $861,000. ( Actual expenditures include all Federal and State spending)

The estimated spending for recovery of the California freshwater shrimp is $39,747,000.

Q. Does Congress provide money for recovery?

A. Yes, specific amounts are appropriated by Congress for recovery and are included in the Service's endangered species program budget.

Q. How does the Service decide which species get what amount of recovery money?

A. The Service uses a two-tiered priority system to guide recovery. This system in turn guides the allocation of recovery dollars. First, each species is assigned a rank according to the degree of threat, recovery potential, taxonomic distinctiveness and presence of an actual or imminent conflict. This recovery priority is assigned by the lead region of the Service at the time of listing and is reviewed yearly thereafter. Second, each recovery task identified in the recovery plan for the species is assigned a priority. Priority 1 tasks are necessary to prevent extinction, priority 2 tasks are needed to avoid significant further decline of the species, and priority 3 tasks include all other actions necessary to achieve recovery.

Actual funding allocations may not strictly follow these guidelines in every case. For example, if an otherwise low priority species may be recovered by completing only one or two low priority tasks, it might receive money sooner that a higher priority species requiring completion of more tasks. This allows the lower priority species to be downlisted or delisted sooner. Congressional actions directing specific funds to specific recovery projects also can change the priority.

The Service has assigned a Recovery Priority of 8C to the California freshwater shrimp. This rating indicates that the species is under a moderate degree of threat and has a high potential for recovery.

Q. Do recovery programs work?

A. Yes. But recovery is a challenge that takes time; it seeks to halt or reverse declines that in some instances have been many years in the making. On average, even in the face of a substantial increase in the number of species listed over the past decade, the recovery efforts of the Service, other Federal agencies, States, Tribal governments, and private landowners have managed to hold those species with declining population trends to an overall average of 35 percent. Of all the species listed between 1968 and 1998, only 7 – or less than 1 percent – have been recognized as extinct, and subsequently delisted. The fact that almost 99 percent of listed species have not been lost speaks to the success of the ESA as a mechanism for conservation of species that are at risk of extinction.

More questions? Contact the Diane Elam, Recovery Coordinator, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at 916/979-2710.

California Freshwater Shrimp

Photo Credit: Larry Serpa