ARTICLES

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Catching the Link Between Wetlands and Fisheries Management

by Susan_Marie Stedman and Dail W. Brown

Both fisheries and wetlands are being depleted nationwide, despite efforts to manage them independently. In this article, fishery and wetland policy analysts explore the potential for policy and management solutions to link these two resources for their mutual benefit.

Susan_Marie Stedman is a fishery biologist and wetland team leader with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of Habitat Conservation within the National Marine Fisheries Service. Dail W. Brown, Ph.D., is chief of the Office of Habitat Conservation’s Watershed Division.

Wetland Management IS Fisheries Management for Gulf of Mexico Shrimp

by R. Eugene Turner

Studies of shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico show a relationship between estuary area and shrimp landings, but catch sizes do not seem to match the extreme rate of coastal wetland loss in the gulf. A coastal ecologist explains why confounding factors obscure the link between wetlands and shrimp productivity.

R. Eugene Turner has contributed to the scientific underpinnings of wetland ecology, wetland management, and coastal fisheries for the past 26 years at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, where he is presently director of the Coastal Ecology Institute.

Lake Fish Community Finds Seasonal Home in Delta Marsh

by Dale A. Wrubleski

Lake Manitoba’s marshes are famous for their waterfowl habitat, but not much is known about the value of these areas for commercial and recreational fish. A research scientist describes his studies to understand the importance of Delta Marsh to walleye and other key species.

Dale A. Wrubleski is a research scientist with Ducks Unlimited Canada's Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, based in Stonewall, Manitoba.

Don’t Forget Wetland Habitat Protection and Restoration for Florida’s Fisheries

by Roy R. “Robin” Lewis III

Habitat restoration has been left out of the picture in fishery management programs like Florida’s. A wetland professional details some of the challenges and solutions to current management practices and provides examples of success stories from his own and others' restoration projects.

Roy R. “Robin” Lewis III is president of Lewis Environmental Services, Inc., in Tampa, Florida. He is a certified Professional Wetland Scientist with the Society of Wetland Scientists, and he was president of the Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in 1985-86.

Cooperation and Integration-Ingredients for Success of North American Fisheries

by Robert O. Bailey

Much like the United States, Canadian fisheries management often suffers from lack of cooperation and integration between fisheries and wetlands interests. A private practitioner describes the missing links between the two pursuits, and provides a vision for ecosystem_based management.

Robert O. Bailey, Ph.D. is president of Robert Owen Bailey Environment & Resources Inc., in Kanata, Ontario. He has more than 30 years’ experience in ecosystem and resource management, working with all levels of government, non-government organizations, and the private sector.

Salmon Conservation Beyond the Headlines: It’s Not Just Dams

by Michael M. Pollock and George R. Pess

Riparian wetlands and other slow-water habitats play a profound role in the potential productivity of Pacific salmonid species. While dams and dam removal may occupy the nation’s attentions, two NOAA scientists explain why wetland destruction is at the heart of the declines in Western salmon.

Dr. Michael Pollock is an ecosystem analyst and George Pess is a stream ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington, where they study salmon, salmon habitat, and watershed processes.

Helping Citizens Improve Vital Fish Habitat Through Wetland Restoration

by Leah Graff

While policies and government programs are important, grassroots efforts play a cumulatively large role in protecting fisheries. A coordinator for a citizen education program shares examples of wetland restoration activities to benefit fish habitat that channel the power and energy of volunteers.

Leah Graff is projects coordinator for the Izaak Walton League of America’s Save Our Streams Program, a national program that educates citizens about stream and wetland ecology and helps volunteers become involved in monitoring and stewardship activities.