The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

Conservation

Coalition’s recommendations for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning

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An important coalition of recreational fishing and boating groups recently submitted recommendations for the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force’s Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning.

The coalition was made up of the American Sportfishing Association, Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society, Berkley Conservation Institute, Center for Coastal Conservation, Coastal Conservation Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, International Game Fish Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Shimano Sport Fisheries Initiative, and The Billfish Foundation.

The groups took the opportunity to again reiterate the important economic contribution made by recreational fishing and boating. They noted that saltwater recreational fishing contributes over $82.2 billion in sales and $24 billion in income to the economy, and provides over 533,000 jobs. And in 2008, recreational boating directly and indirectly impacted 337,758 jobs with a labor income of $10.4 billion. In addition, there are nearly 12,000 marinas in the United States which serve as gateways to both salt and freshwater resources and the Great Lakes.

The coalition supports increasing coordination among federal and state agencies that manage or regulate our oceans and coasts. They noted that improving coordination is a commendable goal and efforts should be made to achieve it. They went on to urge that such an effort not occur at the expense of established management regimes.

Copies of the coalition’s recommendations are available on the Coastal Conservation Association’s Web site.

Eric Schwaab is NOAA’s new assistant administrator for fisheries

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In the middle of the “Snomageddon” in Washington, DC this week there was some good news from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. Eric Schwaab has been appointed the assistant administrator for fisheries. Eric is an old friend and a wonderful addition to NOAA. I have enjoyed working with Eric over the years and looking forward to working with him on marine recreational fishing issues.

Here is the message from Dr. Jane Lubchenco, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, regarding Eric’s appointment:

“It gives me great pleasure to Eric Schwaab as the new assistant administrator for fisheries. We are excited to have someone with Eric’s experience and proven leadership to bring a fresh perspective to the management of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. Eric will lead NOAA’s efforts to rebuild our fisheries and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on them. His immediate priorities include improving outreach and relationships with recreational and commercial fishermen, better aligning federal and regional fisheries priorities, restoring confidence in fisheries law enforcement, and promoting management approaches that will achieve both sustainable fisheries and vibrant coastal communities.

Eric brings more than 25 years of experience in local, state and federal natural resource management. He has spent the majority of his career at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, where he began as a natural resources police law enforcement officer in 1983. He eventually served as director of the Maryland Forest Service; director of the Maryland Forest, Wildlife and Heritage Service; and director of the Maryland Fisheries Service.

In 2003, Eric left the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to serve as resource director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies until 2007. He then returned to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as the deputy secretary. Eric has also served as a member of the U.S. Department of Commerce Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Eric is a creative and proven manager, consensus builder and leader. He has developed and implemented solutions to address challenges in regional habitat restoration, including Chesapeake Bay restoration issues, fish and wildlife conservation, public lands management, natural resources law enforcement, public agency administration, strategic planning and leadership development.

I am excited to welcome Eric to the NOAA family. He will work with NOAA leadership, the fisheries service, his fellow assistant administrators and our many constituents to further our efforts to protect and manage the nation’s fisheries, our other trust resources including marine mammals and sea turtles, and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Welcome Eric!

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Dr. Jim Balsiger, the acting assistant administrator, for his superb and sustained leadership. Jim has led the fisheries service for over two years in this capacity, far from his home in Alaska, and done so with distinction. He was especially instrumental in engaging the fishery management councils in the process of developing the draft catch shares policy.

Dr. Balsiger will soon return to his position as NOAA Fisheries’ regional administrator for Alaska, but before doing so will assist Eric with his transition into the fisheries service and NOAA. I’d also like to thank the entire team at NOAA Fisheries who have done an excellent job during this period.”

Taking care of our marine resources

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“We have reached the time in the life of the planet and humanities demands upon it when every fisherman will have to be a river keeper, a steward of marine shallows and a watchman on the high seas.” Those words from author and fly fisherman Thomas McGuane are captured in the trailer for the new ESPN2 Outdoors series “Pirates of the Flats”.

The series, scheduled to start Dec. 27, follows the exploits of seven world-class anglers as they chase bonefish in the Bahamas. The trailer is on YouTube.

The show features some entertaining fishing buddies, including Lefty Kreh, Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Tom McGuane and Yvon Chouinard. What makes this series significant is the conservation message that is a key element of each show.

“We are all in this together,” Brokaw said.

Working as a consultant for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership on their Marine Fisheries Initiative, I see the series as an excellent way to show how connected recreational fisherman are to the resource.

There are also some very interesting behind the scenes looks at the series.

Go online to the Tin Shed section of Patagonia’s Web site, Patagonia.com, and click on the fly box on the bench to the left. It will take you to images shot on location by noted photographer Val Atkinson and Patagonia’s Bill Klyn. Klyn offers an excellent behind the scenes narrative as well.

Atkinson, the on-site photographer for the series, has his own terrific slide show as well at Valatkinson.com.

Of course, the best part of any fishing trip is the time spent with friends. Doesn’t matter the weather or how good the fishing is, if you are horsing around with your pals it is always a good time.

To see how much fun these guys had, go to Garden and Gun magazine for a great video of bloopers and outtakes. You can find it online at Gardenandgun.com. They also published a great article “The Bonefish Boys” by Monte Burke with photos by Atkinson and Klyn.

As you dig into this entertaining and informative look at marine recreational fishing and conservation you meet Dr. Aaron Adams. Adams runs the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust. They “support research to help understand, nurture, and enhance healthy bonefish, tarpon, and permit populations.”

What impresses me about Adams is his view of the recreational angler’s responsibility to the resource.

On his blog Adams writes, “A key to marine and fish conservation that seems to be missed by many is that a true conservationist is as adamant about responsibility as he/she is about rights. Unfortunately, such a balanced approach has never been common, and is becoming increasingly rare.”

Adams continues, “Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about fishermen’s rights, and not so much about fishermen’s responsibilities. For example, in my area I’m seeing more and more bad behavior – boats running way too close to anglers poling on flats boats, boats running so shallow they dig scars in seagrass beds – while at the same time clamors of ‘I can go where I want’ are increasing. We can be our own worst enemies at times.”

These days anglers can’t afford to get a bad reputation. Too many people are working hard to be sure the resource is around for folks to have a place to fish.

Adams, Brokaw and McGuane are all correct. It is time for all of us to take our responsibility for the resource seriously.

Merry Christmas and happy Holidays. Wishing you many happy days afield in the year to come.

You can read more of my columns at the News Virginian.com.

Vote for Jim Range as the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year

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News from TRCP:

Vote for TRCP Co-founder and Former Chairman Jim Range as 2010 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year.

Jim Range, one of the country’s greatest champions for sportsmen-conservationists, has been honored with a posthumous nomination as a finalist for the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year award. This annual program recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to perpetuating the American outdoor way of life. Budweiser and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will donate $50,000 to the 2010 winner’s conservation organization of choice, with the money to fund the group’s conservation efforts. The three runners-ups will receive $5,000 grants for the conservation organization of their choosing. Jim’s family has designated the TRCP to receive the proceeds from this honor.

Since losing Jim so suddenly 10 months ago, we at the TRCP, along with the  thousands who loved Jim and worked with him for better conservation of our natural resources, have sought out ways to honor his legacy and leadership. Budweiser and NFWF have given us all an opportunity to say “thank you” again to Jim for everything he did to help guarantee us all quality places to hunt and fish.

Jim spent his entire professional life conserving and enhancing Americans’ hunting and fishing opportunities. His cumulative efforts stand as a very high benchmark to those of us who care about our outdoor sporting heritage – and the lands and waters on which we pursue these traditions. His ability to inspire passion in others through his words and actions rallied countless supporters around his conservation vision.

In addition to his critical role in establishing and chairing the TRCP, Jim served on the boards of directors for Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, the Wetlands America Trust, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association, the American Bird Conservancy,  the Pacific Forest Trust, the Yellowstone Park Foundation and the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, among others. He also was an original NFWF board member and worked directly with many other hunting, fishing and conservation groups to advance conservation and sportsmen’s interests in Washington and around the country. During his 11 years on Capitol Hill working for Sen. Howard Baker, Jim fought tirelessly to conserve our natural resources with a bipartisan approach that became his trademark. He played a critical role in the passage of several landmark laws, including the Clean Water Act. In 2003, Jim received the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Great Blue Heron Award, the highest honor given by the department to an individual at the national level.

The deadline for voting is December 15th – vote today.

To vote, go to www.budweiser.com – after logging in, click on the “vote” link on the home page and select Jim from the four finalists.

Votes also can be submitted via mail. On a 3-inch by 5-inch card, print your name, address, age and name of candidate (“Jim Range”). Mail the card to 2010 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year, P.O. Box 750026, El Paso, TX 88575-0026.

Voters must be aged 21 or older, and voting is limited to one vote per person. The 2010 award will be presented at an event during the SHOT Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 21.

Since Anheuser-Busch was founded in 1852, the company has been committed to conserving natural resources. Budweiser, its partners and consumers have raised $8.7 million over the past 10 years to conserve vital habitat and wildlife across the country. Visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

A nonprofit established by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats. Since its establishment, NFWF has awarded more than 10,000 grants to more than 3,500 organizations, and its work has resulted in more than $1.5 billion invested in conservation. Visit www.nfwf.org.

Learn more about Jim Range, his efforts on behalf of America’s sportsmen-conservationists and the fund established in his memory.

Vote for Jim Range as the Budweiser Conservationist of the Year!“

Full Disclosure: I am a consultant to the TRCP. TRCP provided this material. I received no compensation for posting it. Any one who knows me knows Jim was one of my closest friends for nearly 20 years. Here is a link to the tribute i wrote when he died earlier this year.

National Fish Habitat Awards

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Ryan Roberts, NFHAP Communications Coordinator, sent along the information below on the National Fish Habitat Annual Awards Program.

If you know someone who should be nominated contact your local fish habitat partnership. You can find them here: http://fishhabitat.org/

The submission deadline is January 29, 2010. The awards will be presented at the Jim Range National Casting Call on April 22, 2010.

THE NATIONAL FISH HABITAT ANNUAL AWARDS PROGRAM

Program Overview

The National Fish Habitat Annual Awards honor exceptional individuals or partner entities who have demonstrated a commitment to fish habitat conservation, science, or education. The awards celebrate those who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, innovation or excellence in aquatic resource conservation. National Fish Habitat Awardees show how individuals can and do make a difference.

Awards will be made annually on the basis of nominations submitted by Fish Habitat Partnerships and the hundreds of organizations and members that make up the Partners Coalition. From the nominations submitted by Partnerships and Coalition, the National Fish Habitat Board will select several of the most meritorious for these nationally recognized awards. Honorable mentions may be made.

Eligibility

The Awards Program is open to all members of the 14 Board-recognized Fish Habitat Partnerships and members of the Partner Coalition. The planning and writing of the nominations are the responsibility of the Partnership staff and partner/coalition organizations.

Award Categories

For Exceptional Vision in support of Fish Habitat Conservation

(In Memory of Jim Range)

Purpose: to bestow a well deserved honor in the name of fish habitat conservation to someone whose career is a reflection of the enlightened and progressive nature of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. Awarded to an individual, who sees beyond the limits of one state or region, with a focus on a national need and works accordingly and effectively.2

For Extraordinary Action in support of Fish Habitat Conservation

Purpose: to recognize outstanding conservation action(s) that has/have made a true difference in fish habitat conservation. Awarded to an individual or entity, that has implemented an on-the-ground conservation project that has demonstrated positive results in terms of fish habitat quality and/or quantity.

For Scientific Achievement in support of Fish Habitat Conservation

Purpose: To recognize outstanding achievement in the use of science to improve fish habitat conservation by bringing attention to the need for and benefits of fish habitat management. Awarded to an individual or entity, that has developed and/or implemented science-based tools, assessments, or methodologies that assist in the conservation of aquatic habitat.

For Outreach and Educational Achievement in support of Fish Habitat Conservation

Purpose: to recognize outstanding achievement in promoting and encouraging fish habitat conservation and partnerships through outreach and education. Awarded to an individual or entity, that has developed and/or implemented programs or taken other action to increase the public’s understanding and appreciation for fish habitat.

Requirements

1. Nominations in each award category should be submitted by Board-recognized Fish Habitat Partnerships or Partner Coalition members.

2. The nomination must contain a precise statement of the proposed Partnership activity/project/person deserving of the award.

3. It must show evidence of imaginative and thoughtful appraisal of the ways in which the individual / entity contributes towards achieving the goals and objectives of the NFHAP.

Preparation of the Nomination

A. Only one copy of the nomination is required. Nominations should be typed.

B. The nomination must contain the following information:

1. The award category for which the group or person(s) is being nominated.

2. The name of nominated group or person.

3. Your relationship with the person or group you are nominating.

4. If nominating a group, the contact person who represents the group.

5. A brief narrative or abstract of no more than 200 words clearly summarizing the reasons for nominating the individual /group.

You may also provide no more than four pages of supporting information that describes the actions of the nominee that merit the proposed award, and how it is related to the goals and objectives of the NFHAP, or any other information that would assist the judges in determining the merits of this nomination (Please attached these pages to your nomination form).

You should also provide your contact information as the nominator.

C. Nomination forms and supporting material should not exceed five pages.

Submission of the Nomination

Mail or fax one copy of the nomination, postmarked or faxed not later than midnight Friday January 29, 2010 to: Ryan Roberts 444 N. Capital Street, NW (Suite 725) Washington DC, 20001 rroberts@fishwildlife.org Fax: 202-624-7891 Phone: 202-624-5851

-OR-

E-mail Ryan Roberts, NFHAP Communications Coordinator at rroberts@fishwildlife.org no later than midnight Friday January 29, 2010 and attach the file containing the nomination to the E-mail. The file must be created in Microsoft Word©. In the subject line of the e-mail, please type: NFHAP Nomination.

Judging and Announcement of Awards

The nominations will be judged by the National Fish Habitat Board and awards will be presented at the Jim Range National Casting Call event in Washington DC April 22, 2010. Nominations should be prepared with this in mind and should be written for periods not longer than one calendar year. Please refer all further questions via e-mail to Communications Coordinator, Ryan Roberts at rroberts@fishwildlife.org

Pirates of the Flats-oops!

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The best part of any fishing trip is the time spent with friends. Doesn’t matter the weather or how good the fishing is, if you are horsing around with your pals it is always a good time. If you want to see what I mean take a look at the clips that Garden and Gun as put together from the upcoming ESPN2 series Pirates of the Flats.

The series starts on December 27. It features some entertaining fishing buddies including Lefty Kreh, Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Tom McGuane and Yvon Chouinard. My favorite is when my pal Bill Klyn manages to catch a cameraman in the hat. There is a little insider laff in the clip as well.

Enjoy!