The Pacific Coast of the United States consists of a wide variety of habitat types which are critical for supporting fish life. Current efforts to conserve these habitats are typically segregated by species and geographical area. The intent of the Pacific Marine-Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (PME FHP) is to provide a coast-wide forum for coordination that will help maximize the effectiveness of fish habitat conservation programs. It will address habitat needs of marine fish on a coordinated, coast-wide basis, consolidate existing knowledge, identify information gaps, and prioritize habitat projects for the Pacific Coast. It is modeled after the Joint Venture partnerships established under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan which have been so successful in conserving bird habitat.
The PME FHP is a "candidate" partnership recognized by the National Fish Habitat Board. "Candidate partnerships" work, with the assistance of representatives of the National Board and their own membership, to become a recognized partnership by adapting a strategic plan consistent with the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). Links below provide access to information about NFHAP. Once recognized, partnerships are eligible to receive funding, recognition, and scientific assistance. This website provides access to information on the National Fish Habitat Action Plan.
Read about the National Fish Habitat Action Plan
Letter Requesting National Board Recognize Pacific Marine Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership
The first meeting of the Pacific Marine Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership was held on May 25th and May 26th, 2010 in Portland, Oregon with 45 people in attendance. The group reviewed the purpose of Fish Habitat Partnerships, reviewed habitat and fish assessments that have been or are being completed for the region and began defining its focus areas for work and geographic scope of the partnership. Partnerships also discussed draft bylaws and organizational structure. Meeting information is attached here. Participants at the meeting also volunteered to serve on an interim steering committee which will take the next steps to further the group. A meeting to be scheduled in the near future will continue defining mission goals, identify others that should be invited to be part of the endeavor, and other tasks. Financial help for allowing such follow-up work and the hiring of a coordinator, has been pledged by both National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Presentations and Documents from the first meeting of the Pacific Marine Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership (May 25-26, 2010):
For more information about the first meeting, go here.
Purpose and Objectives of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, Susan-Marie Stedman, NMFS
The Role of Fish Habitat Partnerships in NFHAP, Tom Busiahn, USFWS
Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership, Susan-Marie Stedman, NMFS
Western Native Trout Initiative and Role of Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Robin Knox, WNTI
and Christopher Estes, WAFWA, ADFG
Overview of Pacific Coast Joint Venture, Carey Smith, PCJV
Results of the Pre-Meeting Survey on PMEP
Pacific Northwest Coast and Marine Ecoregional Assessments, Dick Vander Schaaf, TNC
National Fish Habitat Assessment for the Pacific Coast, Susan-Marie Stedman, NMFS for C. Greene
Alaska Coastal Assessment, Dr. K Koski, NMFS
North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative, Mary Mahaffy, USFWS
Geographic Scope of Partnership
Draft Operating Procedures/Bylaws, Stan Allen, PSMFC
Workshop Recap from Day One, Dan Shively, USFWS and Stan Allen, PSMFC and Fran Recht, PSMFC
Draft Vision, Mission, and Goals for the Pacific Marine Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership, Fran Recht, PSMFC
Comments on Draft Vision, Mission, and Goals for the Pacific Marine Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership, Fran Recht, PSMFC
Next Steps, Dan Shively, USFWS and Stan Allen, PSMFC and Fran Recht, PSMFC
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is the interim convener of the group. For more information contact Fran Recht, PSMFC Habitat Program, fran_recht@psmfc.org, 541-765-2229.
Last Modified: Thursday, 01-Jul-2010 14:11:09 PDT