The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released the 2013 Summer Townet Surveys for Delta Smelt and Striped Bass. The abundance index for Delta smelt is 0.7 and down from indices of the previous two years and similar to the low indices from 2005-2010. The index was 62.5 in 1978. The striped bass index is 0.6 and is only 35% of the 2012 index and the third lowest index on record. The index was 64.9 in 1986 and 117.2 in 1965. CSPA’s Executive Director Bill Jennings observed that excessive water exports during 2012’s below normal and 2013’s dry water years has literally slaughtered Delta smelt and striped bass.
2013 Delta Smelt Index 2013 Striped Bass Index