The Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA) is a membership-based environmentalist organization that advocates for California water management policy that it believes would be beneficial for the state’s salmon population. 1 2
The organization supports “unimpaired flows” of water to the San Francisco Bay 3 and has attacked the creation of new reservoirs in California as “destructive.” 4 It has attacked California’s almond industry as a drain on the state’s water resources 5 and supports increased water flow to the San Francisco Bay instead of agriculture for preservation of the species at the “right times of the year.” 6
History and Leadership
The Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA) was founded in 2011. 7
Scott Artis is the executive director of the GSSA. Prior to joining, Artis was managing director of the environmentalist Turtle Island Restoration Network and the Salmon Protection Watershed Network. 8
Kim Delfino is GSSA’s water policy and legislation advisor. Prior to joining GSSA, she was the California program director for Defenders of Wildlife; a member of the California Water Commission from 2010 to 2015; and on the board of Water Education Foundation, Sustainable Conservation, and the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Trends. 9
Background
The Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA) is a membership-based environmentalist organization that advocates for California water management policy that it believes would be beneficial for the state’s salmon population. 1 2
The GSSA advocates for the revival, recovery, protection, and enhancement of California’s Central Valley salmon and the salmon’s habitat to support sustainable recreational and commercial fishing. The organization advocates for policies it believes will support the revival, recovery, protection, and enhancement of the Central Valley Salmon habitat and population. 10 11 It also publishes newsletters on these topics. 12
The GSSA’s membership includes commercial fishermen, commercial fleet professionals, environmentalists, scientists, chefs, and restaurant owners. 1
Policy Activism
The Golden State Salmon Association’s (GSSAs) policy activism supports policies and projects it claims will restore salmon populations and habits in California. GSSA’s program budget divides 85 percent toward salmon restoration programs while 15 percent supports other work. 13
The organization supports “unimpaired flows” of water to the San Francisco Bay 3 and has attacked the creation of new reservoirs in California as “destructive” and failed policies.” 4
The GSSA is a founding member of the Central Valley Salmon Habitat Partnership and has claimed to steer $20,000,000 of federal salmon restoration funds to other projects in conjunction with state and federal elected and unelected officials. 14
The GSSA has attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) for water plans that do not provide the waterflows that it claims that salmon need. The group opposes the Sites Reservoir and Delta Tunnel Projects that increase water diversion from the Bay Delta for various purposes, 15 has attacked California’s almond industry as a drain on the state’s water resources, 5 and supports increased water flow to the San Francisco Bay instead of agriculture for preservation of the species at the “right times of the year.” 6
The organization also attacked the first Trump administration’s approach to the Endangered Species Act as the “salmon extinction plan” and advocated for the California State Water Board to stop supporting “Baseless voluntary agreements.” Former GSSA president John McManus has claimed that Trump administration directives “seized more California water” and would “decimate” the environment and give that water to Trump supporters in the San Joaquin Valley. 16
The GSSA works with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Water Board, and the Department of Water Resources. At the federal level, it works with the Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Marine Fisheries Agency to advocate for California to change its water policies. 17
Partners
The Golden State Salmon Association’s (GSSAs) environmentalist partners include Defenders of Wildlife, Natural Resources Defense Council, Earthjustice, Friends of the River, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, the Bay Institute, San Francisco Baykeeper, Kokanee Power, Cal Trout, Trout Unlimited, and South Yuba River Citizens League. It is also partnered with the American Sportfishing Association, California Sportfishing Alliance, Golden State Fisherman’s Association, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, Salmons Stamp Committee, Water4Fish, and others. 14
Funding
The Golden State Salmon Association (GSSA) receives funding from individual contributions, grants, and membership fees. 18 2
In 2023, the GSSA received $20,250 from Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund and $20,000 from the CC and Sandy Yee Foundation. 11
In 2022, the GSSA received $250,000 from the Repass-Rodgers Foundation. 11 The association has also received support from the Marin Community Foundation. 19
References
- “Why We Work for Salmon 2.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/why-we-work-for-salmon-2/.
- “Join or Renew Membership.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/join/
- Artis, Scott. “Take Action: Tell the Water Board to Protect Salmon and Fishing Families.” Golden State Salmon Association. December 23, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/take-action-tell-the-water-board-to-protect-salmon-and-fishing-families/.
- Russell, Lia. “Gov. Gavin Newsom touts controversial water projects as defense against climate change.” Sacramento Bee. December 10, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://archive.ph/zo3KK.
- Skelton, George. “Column: Newsom Cares More about Almond Growers than California’s Salmon Fishery.” Golden State Salmon Association. February 28, 2023. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/column-newsom-cares-more-about-almond-growers-than-californias-salmon-fishery/.
- “Gov. Newsom’s mismanagement of California’s water is destroying salmon, steelhead, smelt and sturgeon populations…and tens of…” Facebook. November 17, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.facebook.com/goldenstatesalmon/videos/gov-newsoms-mismanagement-of-californias-water-is-destroying-salmon-steelhead-sm/1125618619175344/.
- “Careers.” GSSA. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/careers/.
- “Who We Are.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/who-we-are/.
- “Our Team.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/who-we-are/
- “Golden State Salmon Association.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/274187163/202422989349301302/full.
- ‘Golden State Salmon Association.” Cause IQ. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/golden-gate-salmon-association,274187163/.
- “Fish Tales Newsletter.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/newsletter/.
- “Financials.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/financials/.
- “Our Partners.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/our-partners/.
- Garrett, Ashley. “Is Governor Newsom’s Salmon Strategy Just Smoke and Mirrors? GSSA Responds.” Golden State Salmon Association. January 30, 2024. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/is-governor-newsoms-california-salmon-strategy-just-smoke-and-mirrors-gssa-responds/
- Charter, David. “Is Donald Trump right to blame Gavin Newsom for the LA fires?” The Times. January 10, 2025. https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/is-donald-trump-right-to-blame-gavin-newsom-for-the-la-fires-lj3gp60v7.
- “Our Mission.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.org/mission-2/.
- “Donate.” Golden State Salmon Association. Accessed January 18, 2025. https://goldenstatesalmon.salsalabs.org/donation/index.html.
- “Marin Community Foundation.” Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. (Form 990). 2019. Schedule I. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/943007979/202111359349300041/IRS990ScheduleI.