Capture and Relocation
Capture and relocation of longfin smelt will be conducted by a Qualified Biologist in accordance with the requirements of FISH-3, Fish Capture and Relocation. Fish rescue and relocation will be conducted as described in the USFWS approved fish rescue and relocation plan submitted by the Project Proponent to the local USFWS Field Office concurrently with the ESA Section 7(a)(2) Review Form or at least 60 days before construction. Early submission facilitates timely USFWS review and approval and helps avoid project delays. Longfin smelt will be transported in separate containers from larger size class fish to avoid predation. Seining and dip-netting are the preferred methods for fish capture.
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 block nets are secured, a Qualified Biologist will remove all longfin smelt found between them, using a 1/8-inch seine and dipnets. The Qualified Biologist will then relocate longfin smelt to suitable habitat outside of the project area.