A two-year effort by fisheries policy and resource managers and other partners from across the United States has resulted in the first National Fish Habitat Action Plan.

Dr. Doug Austen, Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Fish and Boat Commission, served as chair of the habitat plan working group.

“The importance of fish habitat has long been recognized as vital to sustaining the diverse fisheries resources across the United States and in Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Austen. “Nationally, habitat loss is the primary cause of species decline and extinctions.”

The Plan is designed to foster new national and local grassroots-driven efforts to address, measure and communicate the status and needs of aquatic habitats and is targeted toward fisheries protection, restoration and enhancement in key watersheds.

“In Pennsylvania, one existing effort that will likely become a recognized fish habitat partnership is the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture,” said Dr. Austen. “The efforts of the EBTJV include an impressive assessment of status and risk associated with brook trout populations that will lay out an efficient and effective strategy for conservation and protection of this important species.”

“Science serves as the foundation for actions taken and for documenting the effects of these actions (in the Plan),” explained Dr. Austen. “As we learn more about what works and does not work, we will adapt our approach and management strategy.”

The Plan was developed by an unprecedented coalition of anglers, conservation groups, scientists, state and federal agencies and industry leaders and with an emphasis on using partnerships to protect and restore fish habitat.

The Fish and Boat Commission has clearly recognized the significance of habitat in sustaining fishery resources by taking steps to create a new Division of Habitat Management and by hiring six new habitat specialists and other biologists to expand the Commission’s habitat restoration efforts.

These new staff will work with the fisheries staff, other experts and local partners to identify critical habitat needs.

Dr. Austen encouraged watershed groups and others interested in developing new partnerships to contact Scott Carney, head of the new Division, at 814-353-2225 or by sending email to: rscarney@state.pa.us .

For more information, visit the National Fish Habitat Action Plan website.

11/10/2006