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In its report A Partnership Agenda for Fisheries
Conservation, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership
Council (SFBPC) recommends to the Secretary of Interior and
Director of the FWS that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) become the catalyst among stakeholders to develop a
national aquatic habitat plan analogous to the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan. In its Fisheries Program Vision
for the Future, the FWS responds to that call and indicates
it will “work with Federal, State, Tribal and other
partners to explore the benefits of a National Aquatic Habitat
Plan and the appropriate FWS role in its development and
implementation.”
The SFBPC Fisheries Program Strategic Plan Steering
Committee continues to believe such an effort is needed to
reverse declines in the fisheries and aquatic resources of
this country. To that end, an informal ad hoc subgroup
of the original Steering Committee met several times to consider
the advisability of the SFBPC leading a nation-wide effort
to restore fisheries habitat beyond what has been accomplished
the past 30 years under Legislation such as the Clean Water
Act. This document is the product of those discussions.
This subgroup recommends that the Sportfishing
and Boating Partnership Council initiate a coordinated effort
among the various stakeholders to develop consensus around
a set of actions to enhance and restore fisheries habitat in
the United States. These actions collectively would constitute
a framework that will lead to improvement, enhancement, and
conservation of fisheries habitat throughout the nation, impacting
local to global fisheries resources. Below are the dimensions
of, process for, and near-term objectives for developing such
a framework during the following 12 months, culminating in
June 2004.
Characteristics of the Framework:
- It will concentrate primarily on the fisheries
habitat resources of the United States, recognizing that
Mexico and Canada share very important areas that contain
habitats that are of importance to the United States. Those
Nations will be involved when and where appropriate.
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Fish will be the focal aquatic group.
This direct a statement may elicit controversy, but a broader
approach could make the issues less clear. It is understood
that all aquatic resources benefit when fish habitat is
improved; the final document must make this point clearly.
- The initiative (framework) for action
must have a geographic focus, be locally driven, scientifically
based and supportive of landscape-level ecological principles
and restoration activities. It is emphasized that the strategies
supporting it must arise at the local level and build toward
a national effort, rather than be driven from the top.
It must be value-added and not duplicative of ongoing efforts.
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The process for developing the initiative
(framework) for action, as well as the framework itself
must unite all stakeholders—Federal, State, Tribal
and local governments along with anglers, conservation
groups and industry/municipalities—in a shared vision
for fisheries habitat conservation.
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The initiative (framework) will not require
any new legislative authorities but enhance understanding
and coordination of existing legislation.
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The initiative (framework) will acknowledge
that new funds are necessary for the long –term success
of its actions/strategies. Lack of new funds should not
be an excuse for not commencing work. Much can be done
to capitalize on the successes of ongoing efforts to demonstrate
the benefits of coordinated action. Early success will
enhance the potential for new funds. It should be noted
that an effort is currently underway to establish a modest
source of funds to support fish habitat work. These funds
would not be subject to new appropriations.
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To be effective, the initiative (framework)
should be based on solid conceptual models, such as joint-ventures,
that outline potential strategies in the initiative (framework)
that can be implemented by cooperating entities; it must
establish biologically and socially reasonable benchmarks
and be able to monitor progress toward mutually agreed-upon
objectives; it must be dynamic and reflective of changing
times and conditions; and it must contain evaluation, and
communication, and accountability components.
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The American Fisheries Habitat Initiative
(Framework) for Action needs to have an oversight committee
to address progress towards the overall goal and to provide
guidance as changes are indicated to address issues as
they arise.
Key components of the initiative
(framework) for action:
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Assessment of current partnership activities
in defined geographic areas (joint ventures), encourage
them, stimulate new joint ventures, and instigate work
in important areas currently not represented in the initiative
(framework).
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Aggregate and build upon the needs and
activities at the local level by assessment and identification
of the top two or three key fisheries habitats that are
in crises and need of restoration on a geographical basis,
and support locally driven strategies to address those.
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Provide a forum for communication, advocacy
and support for the highest priority actions of the joint
ventures.
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Provide for formal recognition of successful
habitat enhancement or restoration actions on a regular
basis.
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Coordinate and promote communication among
the joint ventures to increase awareness of similar activities,
new information, and innovative ideas and outcomes.
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Assure that appropriate linkages are established
between the initiative (framework) and other strategic
efforts for fisheries such as the Coastal America effort,
the Fishable Waters Act and the American Fisheries Society’s
Fisheries Habitat Plan.
Overall Goal and objectives to be
achieved by June 2004:
GOAL
A shared common view among the stakeholders that
the health of fisheries habitat is in jeopardy and the key
to maintaining fish and aquatic wildlife populations in the
future is increased emphasis on and action toward fisheries
habitat restoration and conservation.
OBJECTIVE
By June 2004, launch an effort known as “The
American Fisheries Habitat Initiative (Framework)” that
sets forth actions designed to improve habitat for America’s
fisheries and related resources.
PROCESS
The initiative (framework) will be developed
using the best thinking and efforts of the varied fisheries
stakeholders, including Federal, state, tribal, non-governmental
and local interests.
Necessary Steps:
- Achieve consensus among the stakeholders that the overall
initiative (framework) for Action is necessary and useful.
- Identify stakeholders that would attend a series of regional
forums designed to identify fisheries habitat crises and
key actions and strategies to address those crises.
- Prepare a Document that expresses this consensus and outlines
the major key efforts in the Initiative (Framework) for Action
that are currently underway and those that need to be undertaken
immediately.
Recommendation: Assuming the
Council is requested to do so by the Fish and Wildlife Service,
we recommend that in its meeting in June 2003 the Sport Fishing
and Boating Partnership Council endorse the concepts expressed
in this document and establish a Steering Committee to develop
the initiative (framework) for Action by carrying out the actions
outlined here.
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