In a heartwarming conservation success, more than 300 endangered northern tidewater gobies were safely returned to Malibu’s Topanga Lagoon on June 17, months after they were rescued from devastating threats caused by the Palisades fire in Southern California.
🔥 From Wildfire to Water: A Critical Rescue Mission
The emergency evacuation effort took place in January 2025, when the Palisades wildfire scorched critical habitat within the Topanga watershed—a rare biodiversity hotspot. With rainfall expected to cause severe sediment runoff, Rosi Dagit, principal conservation biologist with the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains, and a team of local, state, and federal partners acted swiftly to rescue over 760 tidewater gobies.
Using nets and coolers, scientists and volunteers—including teams from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USGS, California State Parks, and Cal State Channel Islands—saved the small, semi-translucent fish from being washed into the Pacific Ocean.
🧊 A Comfortable Stay at Aquariums
After their rescue, the gobies were transported to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica. The fish were well cared for, even gaining a bit of weight, according to Dagit, as staff adjusted their feeding to prevent the tiny creatures from becoming “chubby.”
🌊 A Restored Habitat Opens the Door to Return
Initially, conservationists were unsure if the fish could ever return. The lagoon’s ecosystem, damaged by the fire and firefighting efforts, was expected to take years to recover. However, nature had other plans. The sandbar breach that had once connected the lagoon to the sea healed naturally, and water levels rose to about 2 meters—the highest seen in over 30 years.
With conditions stabilized, the gobies were deemed ready to return.
🎉 The Joyful Reintroduction Ceremony
A small but meaningful release ceremony marked the gobies’ return to their native habitat. Robert Dorame, tribal chair of the Gabrielino-Tongva Indians of California, offered a spiritual blessing, reminding attendees of their role as stewards of nature.
To prepare the gobies for re-entry, scientists gradually mixed lagoon water into their transport coolers to match salinity (~1–2 ppt) and temperature (~66°F). Once acclimated, the gobies were gently carried into the lagoon in buckets. As they swam free, fragrant sage was tossed into the air—a symbolic gesture of new beginnings.
🐠 Why This Endangered Fish Matters
The northern tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) is listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to habitat destruction, invasive predators, drought, and urban development. Despite their small size (under 2 inches), they play a vital role in maintaining the health of coastal lagoons and estuarine ecosystems.
“These fish are more than just a species. They are a keystone in the ecosystem,” said Brenton Spies, a goby expert from Cal State University Channel Islands. “When you remove them, the whole system can start to collapse.”
📈 A Glimmer of Hope for Conservation
The Topanga Lagoon goby population—once estimated in the tens of thousands—was the largest and most stable group in the Santa Monica Bay region. Though the full post-fire population is still unknown, recent surveys found wild gobies still present in the area. The reintroduction of over 300 individuals will strengthen this crucial population.
Interestingly, while no gobies reproduced in captivity, several released females were gravid—carrying eggs. Conservationists are hopeful they will spawn in their natural environment and help repopulate the lagoon.
Meanwhile, other rescued species, like Southern California steelhead trout, are still waiting for their chance to return home as restoration of their creek habitat continues.
🌿 Final Thoughts: Small Fish, Big Impact
This successful reintroduction of endangered tidewater gobies is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when science, community, and nature come together. In the face of environmental disasters like wildfires and climate change, even small victories like this can restore hope and resilience to both ecosystems and communities.