In November, ASA staff participated in a meeting of the MLPA Blue Ribbon Task Force (BRTF). During this meeting, BRTF members heard comments on the various alternative marine protected area (MPA) network proposals, including the Marine Resources Protection Plan (MRPP). The MRPP was submitted by ASA and its partners under its Partnership for Sustainable Oceans. The MRPP sites areas within the north central coast of California for a variety of MPA types within the guidelines of the California Marine Life Protection Act process while still maintaining access for anglers. The Partnership for Sustainable Oceans will be submitting an updated version of the MRPP in December based on feedback it received from the BRTF and the Science Advisory Team which reviews all the proposals. Eleven proposals were submitted for consideration.

ASA Submits Comments on West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health
ASA submitted comments on the Draft Action Plan of the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health. The Draft Action Plan proposes 22 different actions to be undertaken by California, Oregon and Washington to meet the objectives of seven different priority areas, which include clean coastal waters, healthy ocean and coastal habitats and effective implementation of ecosystem-based management. ASA's comments focused on the need for sound science and an open, public process when implementing the action plan.

National MPA Strategy
ASA and the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) have drafted a strategy to address efforts to designate national marine protected areas in U.S. coastal states and the Great Lakes. ASA and CSF staff attended two October meetings with NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries staff and NOAA National Ocean Services staff to discuss the creation of new national MPAs and how recreational fishing should be considered in the designation process.

Klamath River Dam Removal Issue
Despite issuing a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) showing that the removal of the lower four Klamath River dams would save ratepayers $7 million dollars a year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recommended keeping PacifiCorp's four hydroelectric dams, which currently block 300 miles of spawning streams in a river that was once the nation's third largest salmon producer. FERC's final EIS chose trapping and hauling fish around the dams rather than building fish ladders and reducing power production to help salmon. FERC's statement described the decision as the best economic choice while allowing for evaluation of restoring fish to the upper Klamath Basin. This decision ignores calls from fisheries agencies to build fish ladders. However, the recommendation may not be legally feasible, since NOAA Fisheries requires that fish passage provisions be included in dam licenses. ASA, along with Tribes, fishermen, conservation groups, farmers and state and federal agencies continue to encourage PacifiCorp to reach an agreement to remove the dams.

Mamie Parker, USFWS, Retires
Dr. Mamie Parker, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation (ADFHC), recently announced her retirement from the USFWS.??Dr. Parker officially retired on November 3, 2007, after almost 30 years with the Service.??According to ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson it is rare that one meets and works with an individual like Mamie Parker who invested so much of herself in her job as both an advocate for her agency and for the resource. ASA wishes Dr. Parker all the best in her new endeavors.

Farm Bill Update
ASA continues advocating for fisheries in the 2007 Farm Bill. The current Senate bill has been stalled for quite some time because of numerous amendments that have been filed. A cloture vote that would have capped debate on the bill and forced a final vote on the Bill itself failed, meaning that open-ended debate has continued. This also means there is a good chance that the current Farm Bill will be extended into next year and possibly beyond. ASA is working with its partners in theAgriculture and Wildlife Working Group to target key congressional members before a second cloture vote, so that it might succeed. A cloture vote is the only procedure by which the Senate can vote to place a time limit on consideration of a bill or other matter, and thereby overcome a filibuster.

National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CN) has agreed to introduce the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) in the Senate. ASA has a leadership role in the legislative effort to recruit a co-sponsor on the Senate side and champions in the House, as well as perfecting the draft legislation. After a November NFHAP Board meeting, new language to fund federal agency technical assistance for the plan was finalized.

NMFS Seeking Comment on Gulf of Mexico Management Plan
NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public comments on a proposed rule that would implement measures to rebuild red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The proposed rule, if approved, would require the use of venting tools, de-hooking devices and non-stainless steel circle hooks (when using natural baits) for all reef fish fishery sectors. These measures are outlined in the joint Amendment 27 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Amendment 14 to the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (Amendment 27/14). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2007, with the comment period ending December 7, 2007.

Summer Flounder Fishery
NOAA Fisheries Service recently proposed that the 2008 summer flounder fishery be limited to 15.7 million pounds, which is a reduction from the 2007 limit of 17.1 million pounds. ASA has submitted comments on the summer flounder proposal and is working with other fisheries and angling groups to find a solution that maintains the resource and recreational fishing opportunity.

NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator to Leave Agency
Effective January 15, 2008, Dr. William Hogarth, NOAA's Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, will become Interim Dean for the College of Marine Science for the University of South Florida. ASA wishes Dr. Hogarth all the best in his new position.