SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, chairman of California’s Joint Legislative Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, will host an informational hearing on the endangered Coho salmon at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

The hearing, titled “Coho Salmon On The Brink: Understanding the Depth of the Crisis and Recovery Strategies,” is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Room 4202.

“At one time Coho salmon in California were abundant across their entire range from, Santa Cruz to the Oregon border,” Chesbro said. “Today they are in danger of disappearing, particularly from their southern range, and are listed under state and federal endangered species acts. This hearing will examine the status of the Coho in California and identify strategies to bring back this important fishery. The Committee will hear testimony from fisheries experts, commercial and recreational fisherman, tribal representatives and other concerned Californians.”

Featured presenters include John McCamman, director of Department of Fish and Game, Catherine Kuhlman, executive director of North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Rod McInnis, regional administrator of National Marine Fisheries Service.

Additional presenters will address regional updates, population dynamics, fishery impacts, in-stream flow problems and solutions, off-channel habitat rearing requirements, forest practices, watershed restoration, large woody debris enhancement, captive rearing, and more.

The hearing is open to the public. It is scheduled to be cablecast and webcast live by the California Channel: http://www.calchannel.com/.

An extensive research resource on the plight of Coho salmon in California that can be used to prepare for hearing is posted to Chesbro's Web site at http://asmdc.org/members/a01/.