Temporarily Saved Endangered Fish from El Niño Seek Shelter at Birch Aquarium, Scripps
The Birch Aquarium at UC San Diego is playing a significant role in the conservation of the Southern California Tidewater Goby, an endangered fish species. This aquarium, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, is temporarily housing 300 of these small, native fish while they weather the impacts of El Niño storms.
The Tidewater Gobies, which require a slow moving mix of fresh and salt water and rarely exceed two inches, are kept separated into two different populations while living at Birch Aquarium, spread through 12 large tanks. They are doing well in the sandy-bottomed tanks and eating brine shrimp. Each population will be returned to the particular lagoon from which it was collected once the El Niño storm season has passed.
Conservation efforts at the aquarium are aimed at protecting the species from the impacts of El Niño storms. The aquarium participates in captive breeding programs to raise Tidewater Gobies in controlled environments. This helps maintain healthy populations that can be reintroduced into the wild if natural populations decline severely due to storm impacts.
In addition, the aquarium conducts scientific research on the biology, behavior, and habitat needs of the Tidewater Goby. This knowledge is critical to understanding how El Niño storms affect their survival and how best to mitigate these impacts.
Birch Aquarium collaborates with local conservation agencies and resource managers by providing expertise, data, and sometimes hatchery-raised fish to bolster wild populations. The aquarium also educates the public and policymakers about the Tidewater Goby's endangered status and the threats posed by climate events like El Niño. Raising awareness helps encourage conservation actions and funding.
The Tidewater Goby population has been impacted by development, diversion of streams and estuaries, pollution, and introduction of non-native species. The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) expressed concern that El Niño storms could negatively impact the Tidewater Goby population.
Visitors to the aquarium can see the fish in the aquarium's nursery, located in the Hall of Fishes, and learn more about how they can help save threatened and endangered ocean animals on Endangered Species Day on May 20. Harry Helling, the executive director of Birch Aquarium, stated that conservation is a critical component of their mission.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for UC San Diego's world-renowned organization. The aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fishes and invertebrates from the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and the western Pacific. With an annual attendance of over 400,000, including 40,000 school children, the aquarium plays a vital role in educating the public about marine life and conservation efforts.
