August 2007 page 11

In simple terms, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are aquatic and terrestrial organisms, introduced into new habitats throughout the United States and other areas of the world, that produce harmful impacts on aquatic natural resources in these ecosystems and on the human use of these resources.

The Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species, and implementing the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (NANPCA) of 1990. The various NANPCA mandates were expanded later with the passage of the National Invasive Species Act (NISA) in 1996. The Task Force consists of 10 Federal agency representatives and 12 Ex-officio members, and is co-chaired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Task force coordinates governmental efforts dealing with ANS in the U.S. with those of the private sector and other North American interests via regional panels and issue specific committees and work groups.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Home Page

The ANS Task Force has released it's Strategic Plan for 2007-2012.

Minutes of the Spring 2007 Meeting

Rapid Response Management System

A full-day workshop “Communicating Effectively About Aquatic Nuisance Species” was held on March 19, 2007, in conjunction with the 72nd North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. Materials, PowerPoint presentations, and proceedings from the workshop have been compiled and are available on the Association’s web site at http://www.fishwildlife.org/agency_science.html

Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) - an organization of 28 state natural resource departments organized in 1991 as a partnership to improve interjurisdictional river resource management in the Mississippi River Basin.

Mississippi River Basin Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species

Chicago Shipping Canal Barrier - a call for action

http://www.morefish.org

Campaign Overview

The More Fish Campaign is a five-year initiative launched by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to raise awareness and funding to protect, conserve and enhance the nation's fish populations and their habitat. From cutthroat trout and red snapper to small mouth bass and Eastern brook trout to Pacific salmon, the More Fish Campaign aims to improve aquatic habitat in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, coastal and marine zones.

Fish Conservation and the National Fish Habitat Action Plan

According to recent studies, the nation has lost 20 percent of our fish and aquatic populations and nearly 40 percent of the nation's native fish populations are in rapid decline. In 2006 the Foundation joined federal and state agencies and other conservation organizations to establish the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (Plan). The Plan will coordinate efforts on a national level to reverse the losses in fish and aquatic species and habitat across the U.S.

In conjunction with the creation of the Plan, the Foundation launched the More Fish Campaign to help restore abundant and healthy populations of fish and aquatic species to our nation’s waters. The Foundation's More Fish Campaign complements and supports the National Fish Habitat Action Plan by investing in on-the-ground projects demonstrating innovative approaches to fish habitat conservation.

Learn more about the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Learn about the Foundation’s Fish Conservation Keystone Initiative.
Browse the Foundation’s Fish Conservation Grant Programs.
Donate to Fish Conservation

The need for a comprehensive campaign is acute. Fifty percent of the nation's waterways are impaired and over 40 percent of the fish and aquatic species in the U.S. are in decline or threatened with extinction. The top contributing factor for this decline is habitat degradation and loss.

The More Fish Campaign objectives include the following priorities:

Restore the nation's fish and other aquatic life to healthy and thriving populations;
Increase public awareness, access and stewardship;
Protect, conserve and enhance the nation's rivers, lakes, estuaries, bays and coastal waters;
Work with conservation nonprofits, federal land and water management agencies and state fish and game agencies to support the conservation of fish and aquatic populations.
Work with corporations, foundations, individuals and others to raise additional financial resources to invest in priority fisheries conservation projects.

http://www.fishhabitat.org/

National Fish Habitat Science and Data Partners Workshop

http://web.fisheries.org/sf/images/documents/national_fish_habitat_science.pdf

National Fish Habitat Action Plan News - July, 2007

http://www.rbff.org

Take Me Fishing Program http://www.rbff.org/page.cfm?pageID=66

1) GIVE BACK WHAT YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN – the gift of fishing
2) TAKE SOMEONE YOU KNOW OUT ON THE WATER – friend, colleague, neighbor, your kid’s friends, anyone
3) GET CONNECTED TO THE CAUSE AT – www.AnglersLegacy.org

http://www.teaming.com/index.html

60 Senators & 165 Reps. Seek $85 M for State Wildlife Grants

This year, 60 Senators and 165 Representatives signed letters seeking $85 million in Fiscal Year 2008 for the State Wildlife Grants Program, our nation's core program for preventing wildlife from becoming endangered in every state. This strong bi-partisan support sends a clear message that we need to act now to conserve wildlife for future generations of Americans. (more...)

FY08 House Dear Colleague Letter (.pdf, 101 KB)
FY08 Senate Dear Colleague Letter (.pdf, 440 KB)
Current List of FY 2008 Letter Signers