Capture and Relocation
Capture and relocation of tidewater goby will be conducted by a USFWS-Approved Biologist in accordance with the requirements of FISH-3, Fish Capture and Relocation. Fish rescue and relocation will be conducted as described in the USFWSApproved fish rescue and relocation plan submitted by the Project Proponent. Gobies will be transported in separate containers from larger size class fish to avoid predation. Seining and dipnetting are the preferred methods of capturing fish, but electrofishing may be required to capture fish in complex habitats. For projects that do not require dewatering but cannot complete in-water work in one day, successive sets of block nets may be required each day, and subsequent surveys and capture/relocation may be performed accordingly. Once the block nets are secured, a USFWS-Approved Biologist will remove all tidewater gobies found between them, using a 1/8–inch seine and dip nets. The USFWS-Approved Biologist will then relocate tidewater gobies to suitable habitat downstream of the project area. Fish released from one day’swork will not be released into areas projected to be excavated on successive days. Not to exceed the self-imposed take limit of no more than 10% of the individuals captured and relocated at any individual project site may be injured or killed. If this self-imposed take limit is reached, the Project Proponent will stop work in tidewater goby habitat and contact the USFWS Field Office.