Humboldt Bay acts as important habitat for over 115 species of fish. With at least 50 species including the big skate, herring, poacher, pacific tomcod, seven-gill cow shark and cabezon, considered resident. Humboldt Bay acts as a very important resource to fish, providing feeding, spawning, and nursery grounds.

The endangered salmonid species: Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead all pass through Humboldt Bay on their way to the Bays tributaries for spawning. In the past this was a large number of fish whose presence was emblematic of the area’s cultural fishing history. Today, declining populations are one of the reasons for Baykeeper’s work to clean-up the Bay’s waters and try to reestablish a healthy bay ecosystem. The small (rarely exceeding 2”) Tidewater Goby is another endangered species found in the bay. The Tidewater Goby is limited to the coast of California and research suggests that Humboldt Bay most likely acts as one of the core populations that provide individuals for the colonization of other areas.

Although impacted by growing populations and a history of industrial abuse to the bay’s waters sport and commercial fishing in and around the Bay is, and has been, a significant part of the local economy. In the past it was the fisheries industry that supported a large part of the local economy. This has changed very recently with the closure of the commercial salmon season two years in a row, as well as a very limited rockfish season, due to low population numbers.

Over 200 commercial vessels still list Eureka as homeport and over 500 vessels from other west coast ports use the Bay’s facilities annually, delivering catch to the seafood buyers located in Humboldt County. Despite diminishing fisheries Humboldt Bay is still one of the largest oyster suppliers in the world providing 90% of the oysters in California and a great number worldwide. The Bay’s commercial fleet contains a large number of crabbing boats, which harvest Dungeness crab along the coast. The Bay plays an important part in the Dungeness crab life cycle as it provides ideal spawning and nursery grounds in the Bay’s Eelgrass beds.

One of the goals of Humboldt Baykeeper is to hold past polluters responsible for the impacts they have a had on the water quality of the Bay, in hopes that one day the Bay and adjacent coastline can once again host a healthy and lucrative fishery for the Humboldt Bay Community. Continuing the tradition of fishing, and helping the community hold on to one of the emblems of our cultural heritage in these changing times.