AN FRANCISCO, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The California Supreme Court Wednesday declined to hear a case challenging state protections for coho salmon.

The court's move means that the California Fish and Game Commission's March 2005 decision to grant the coho protection under the California Endangered Species Act will stand.

California Trout, an intervener in the case, applauded the high court's decision.

"At long last, we can celebrate victory in this case," spokesman Brian Stranko said in a statement. "We can now move on to the important work of protecting and rehabilitating coho salmon in California."

Conservation groups contend that coho habitats have been compromised by... Continued@URL... http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/02/13/calif_supreme_court_declines_salmon_case/8157/