Director Steve Williams Remarks for the Plenary Session and American Fisheries Society at
Baltimore, MD

August 19, 2002

Ken, distinguished guests, delegates, thank you for asking me to join you today.

I'm pleased to tell you this morning that I have decided to ignore the example of the witness who appeared before a congressional committee and began, "Mr. Chairman, I intend to be
brief, even if it takes me all day."

Truth be told, I think of any of us on this stage could talk to you all day, because that's how much our conservation missions have grown.

It was just six years after the Civil War, in 1871, when America established its fisheries program, which is also the oldest government conservation effort, and a direct link to today's Fish and Wildlife Service. By the time Spencer Fullerton Baird and the U.S. Fish Commission came on the scene, the mission was as simple as it gets: Our fish are disappearing. Why? What, if anything, might be done about it?

If Baird were here today, he doubtless would be amazed at both our challenges and our accomplishments. We are separated from Baird's world by 130 years, by technology and science moving at breathtaking speed, and by problems that Baird could have scarcely imagined. Ailments like whirling disease and large-mouth bass virus are causing dramatic fish kills. Invasive species, like the northern Snakehead, which is still grabbing headlines in Maryland, and the old diehards like Zebra mussels and Asian carp are pushing out the natives. In Florida, there are now more exotic fish species than native species. In San Francisco Bay, we see a new species establish itself every two weeks!

One hundred thirty years later, we are still challenged by Baird's instructions from Congress: Are fish disappearing? If so, why? And what, if anything, might be done about it?

At the outset, we must give a new lease and new energy to fisheries at a national level. That leadership is essential.

Fisheries programs of the 21st century are about far more than
just fish. They are about clean water, good habitat, protecting native species, battling invasive species and disease, tracking fish health and working to keep endangered aquatic species off the endangered species list. They are also about economics and jobs. Recreational anglers and angling generate more than $35 billion in spending each year and leave a big imprint on our national economy.

All represent issues that cross boundaries, jurisdictions and political parties.

Unfortunately, as the mission of fish and wildlife management has expanded, a general feeling has grown that agencies like the Fish and Wildlife Service were leaving their old friends behind. For the sake of fisheries conservation, we cannot afford that perception, especially now, when the situation for fish and aquatic habitat is challenging. I'm committed to putting the "fish" back in the Fish and Wildlife Service and during my watch, the Service will work to enhance recreational fishing in the United States.

The stark historical reality of what has happened to our fisheries is all the more reason that we need – that we must have –a vigorous, revitalized and well-focused national fisheries program in the Fish and Wildlife Service. I'm honored to have the opportunity as Director, to address this national perspective. I also believe that a national perspective must embrace state and local goals, and that brings me to the second essential thing we must do to address Spencer Baird's challenge.

I want to restore balance to the Service's role in fish and wildlife management. A large part of that involves mending fences with the fisheries community. And a big part of that is working with you to create a vision for the Service's Fisheries Program –at the national, regional and local levels.

I value all of our partners, but I give special weight to the American Fisheries Society. It is one of the premier fisheries organizations in the United States, if not the world. It is the pinnacle of fisheries science. And I solicit your contributions to this national perspective.

Our state fishery agency partners are crucial to this mix. We are looking at new ways to help one another while extending an invitation to the States to have a greater role in our decision-making.

Fortunately, one of our oldest partnerships, the Federal Aid Program, provides relatively stable funding for fish and wildlife conservation programs in the states. Federal Aid overall has been one of the strongest and most successful government conservation partnerships. Anglers and hunters have provided nearly $4 billion for conservation and outdoor recreation. We need to keep that program strong.

To build on that success, we also have $80 million in new Federal grants available to the States. These are cost-sharing grants that can help build on existing programs and develop plans for protecting and restoring species.

The new Landowner Incentive Program and Private Stewardship Grants are on the way. These two programs total $50 million and will encourage private landowners, who own a majority of habitat in the United States, to undertake conservation on their land. In the next few weeks, we expect to publish a request for proposals for these grant funds. I encourage you to check with us for program details once we've made our formal announcement through the Federal Register, and offer us some options for using these funds to benefit our fisheries resources.

Another partnership that has been hard at work for more than a year is the steering committee established by the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, to offer advice, thoughts and counsel about the strategic vision for the Service's fisheries program.

The committee has 12 Service people, 3 from other Federal agencies, 8 from State agencies, 8 from non-government organizations, 5 from the private sector and 3 representatives from Native American tribes.

It's an impressive group. They have been hard at work, meeting throughout the United States, helping to fashion a road map for fisheries in this new century. It is the kind of arrangement that epitomizes Secretary Norton's "Four C's – communication, consultation and cooperation, all in the service of conservation.

The Partnership Council's report, "A Partnership Agenda for Fisheries Conservation," represents an unprecedented effort on the part of the Service, States, Tribes and other partners interested in fish and aquatic resource conservation to begin the process of repositioning our Fisheries Program for success and to address current and future aquatic resource threats.

The strategic plan identifies two causes at the root of the conservation problems we see in our waterways: invasive species and aquatic habitat loss. The plan also recognizes that no one agency can address all the fisheries issues of the day. It is going to take all of us, working together, to turn the tide, to make certain we act now to conserve aquatic resources for years to come. The commitments outlined in the plan are straightforward – protect the health of aquatic habitats, restore fish and other aquatic resources and provide opportunities for the public to enjoy the benefits.

I've already sent a draft of the strategic plan to the Department of the Interior and to the President's Office of Management and Budget. I sent it forward with a great deal of pride because it reflects the consensus of the Service and its fisheries partners.

It's important to keep in mind that this plan is just the beginning. Once finalized, we'll need your help to implement it and put it to work on the ground.

I congratulate the Council for its role in the difficult task of developing and championing this report. I think they have given us an excellent model to help begin to revitalize the Service's fisheries program.

We have a long history of good work the State agencies as well, and I want to see those relationships strengthened and expanded.

The recent attention that followed the Snakehead – which the media dubbed "Frankenfish" – points out the importance of engaging the public as partners as well. Imagine the impact we could have on invasive species if we were to engage everyone who enjoys recreational opportunities on the water.

Partnerships are not about shortcuts, but about a belief that they can be a vehicle for assembling the best talent with the best ideas to help come up with the best answers – and the best science –to deal with the most pressing problems.

President Eisenhower once said that "the nation must treat resource development as a partnership undertaking – partnership in which the participation of private citizens and state and local governments is as necessary as is Federal participation."

He was right.

Partnerships and a revitalized fisheries program can help us take on the fundamental conservation problems we face every day. Both have the potential to help lead us forward.

Let me leave you with this thought from Ronald Reagan, who was fond of saying that "there is no limit to what we can accomplish – when we don't care who gets the credit."

I don't care who gets the credit.

I just want to get the job done.

Thank you.