12-21-2007, 08:10 PM
Partnership Meets with CA Governor's Staff on MLPA
In December, ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson and Ocean Resource Policy Director Patty Doerr met with Governor Schwarzenegger's Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Dunmoyer, Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman and Executive Director of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Ken Wiseman. ASA was joined by members of Coastside Fishing Club. ASA and Coastside briefed the Governor's staff on the Partnership for Sustainable Ocean's Marine Resources Protection Plan (MRPP), which is a proposed array of marine protected areas for California coastal waters. An updated version of the MRPP was recently accepted by the Regional Stakeholder Group as one of four "internal" alternatives to move forward in the review process. The original number of proposals was 11. Final alternatives are scheduled to be forwarded in May to the California Fish and Game Commission for its approval.
Second Annual Industry Summit<br />
In December, representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with representatives from the fishing, hunting, shooting sports, boating and archery industries to discuss issues of mutual importance. The overarching themes for the meeting were how to improve retention of hunters and anglers, as well as recruitment of new participants to the sports; ensuring transparency in the excise tax collection process and how the funds are spent; and hunter and angler access.
Summer Flounder Hearing<br />
ASA staff attended a fishery stock assessment hearing that centered on summer flounder. The purpose of the hearing was to hear arguments for adding flexibility to the 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act for meeting the stock rebuilding. Most fish stocks need to be rebuilt by 2010. The House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans heard testimony from both sides of the issue, as well as sponsors of recent legislation that would provide such flexibility.
Farm Bill Update<br />
ASA continues advocating for fisheries in the 2007 Farm Bill. After a second cloture vote passed capping debate on the bill, the Senate Farm Bill passed on December 14, by a vote of 79-14. ASA is working with its partners in the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group (AWWG) to target key congressional members before the conference where differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill will be reconciled. The AWWG's goal is for the House to accept some key fish and wildlife provisions in the Senate version that were not included in the House bill.
National Fish Habitat Action Plan<br />
ASA has taken a leadership role in the legislative effort to obtain a cosponsor for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) in the Senate. Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CN) has agreed to introduce the NFHAP, but would prefer to do so with a cosponsor. The legislative team is also seeking champions in the House, as well as perfecting the draft legislation.
FishNet Meeting<br />
ASA hosted a December FishNet meeting to discuss marine protected areas (MPAs). Along with the MLPA in California, various state, regional and national organizations are promoting MPAs as ocean and aquatic resource management tools. ASA's goal is to ensure that this does not result in unwarranted closures of public waterways to recreational fishing. ASA briefed FishNet on the issue and discussed strategies to limit closures while still accomplishing maximum conservation.
Assistant Director, Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, USFWS, Retires<br />
ASA staff attended a reception honoring Dr. Mamie Parker, former Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation at the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The celebration marked Dr. Parker's retirement from the USFWS and highlighted her contributions during her 28-year career with the Service. Gary Frazer is the Acting Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation. Frazer has 23 years with the USFWS, with experience in various departments including Ecological Services, Habitat Conservation and Endangered Species.
ASA Attends "Salmon Summit" in Washington State<br />
ASA staff attended a summit in Tacoma, Wash., entitled Angling 4 Oceans: Improving Communications within the Northwest Recreational Fishing Community. The summit brought together key northwest recreational fishing interests to create a more proactive effort in support of salmon restoration and management in the region. Attendees at the summit will form a working group to develop possible communication models that will allow for increased information sharing amongst the community.
In December, ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson and Ocean Resource Policy Director Patty Doerr met with Governor Schwarzenegger's Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Dunmoyer, Secretary of Resources Mike Chrisman and Executive Director of the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Initiative Ken Wiseman. ASA was joined by members of Coastside Fishing Club. ASA and Coastside briefed the Governor's staff on the Partnership for Sustainable Ocean's Marine Resources Protection Plan (MRPP), which is a proposed array of marine protected areas for California coastal waters. An updated version of the MRPP was recently accepted by the Regional Stakeholder Group as one of four "internal" alternatives to move forward in the review process. The original number of proposals was 11. Final alternatives are scheduled to be forwarded in May to the California Fish and Game Commission for its approval.
Second Annual Industry Summit<br />
In December, representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with representatives from the fishing, hunting, shooting sports, boating and archery industries to discuss issues of mutual importance. The overarching themes for the meeting were how to improve retention of hunters and anglers, as well as recruitment of new participants to the sports; ensuring transparency in the excise tax collection process and how the funds are spent; and hunter and angler access.
Summer Flounder Hearing<br />
ASA staff attended a fishery stock assessment hearing that centered on summer flounder. The purpose of the hearing was to hear arguments for adding flexibility to the 2006 reauthorized Magnuson-Stevens Act for meeting the stock rebuilding. Most fish stocks need to be rebuilt by 2010. The House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans heard testimony from both sides of the issue, as well as sponsors of recent legislation that would provide such flexibility.
Farm Bill Update<br />
ASA continues advocating for fisheries in the 2007 Farm Bill. After a second cloture vote passed capping debate on the bill, the Senate Farm Bill passed on December 14, by a vote of 79-14. ASA is working with its partners in the Agriculture and Wildlife Working Group (AWWG) to target key congressional members before the conference where differences in the House and Senate versions of the bill will be reconciled. The AWWG's goal is for the House to accept some key fish and wildlife provisions in the Senate version that were not included in the House bill.
National Fish Habitat Action Plan<br />
ASA has taken a leadership role in the legislative effort to obtain a cosponsor for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) in the Senate. Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CN) has agreed to introduce the NFHAP, but would prefer to do so with a cosponsor. The legislative team is also seeking champions in the House, as well as perfecting the draft legislation.
FishNet Meeting<br />
ASA hosted a December FishNet meeting to discuss marine protected areas (MPAs). Along with the MLPA in California, various state, regional and national organizations are promoting MPAs as ocean and aquatic resource management tools. ASA's goal is to ensure that this does not result in unwarranted closures of public waterways to recreational fishing. ASA briefed FishNet on the issue and discussed strategies to limit closures while still accomplishing maximum conservation.
Assistant Director, Fisheries and Habitat Conservation, USFWS, Retires<br />
ASA staff attended a reception honoring Dr. Mamie Parker, former Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation at the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The celebration marked Dr. Parker's retirement from the USFWS and highlighted her contributions during her 28-year career with the Service. Gary Frazer is the Acting Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation. Frazer has 23 years with the USFWS, with experience in various departments including Ecological Services, Habitat Conservation and Endangered Species.
ASA Attends "Salmon Summit" in Washington State<br />
ASA staff attended a summit in Tacoma, Wash., entitled Angling 4 Oceans: Improving Communications within the Northwest Recreational Fishing Community. The summit brought together key northwest recreational fishing interests to create a more proactive effort in support of salmon restoration and management in the region. Attendees at the summit will form a working group to develop possible communication models that will allow for increased information sharing amongst the community.