RJ
06-03-2005, 11:32 AM
June 2, 2005 (WASHINGTON, DC) – The Association of Marina Industries (AMI), in partnership with the National Bass Guide Service, the National Invasive Species Council, Columbia Island Marina - Guest Services, Inc, the National Invasive Species Council, and Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, is hosting the second annual Snakehead Roundup on June 10, 2005 during National Fishing and Boating Week. The event will take place at Columbia Island Marina on the Potomac River in Arlington, Virginia from 7:00 am - 11:00 am and will be lead by Dr. Mamie Parker, Assistant Director for Fisheries and Habitat Conservation for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The event serves as an opportunity to bring attention to the threat to native fish populations posed by aquatic invasive species. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) has the potential to significantly disturb or damage native fish populations such as small and large mouth bass in the Potomac River. It also promotes marinas as educational and outreach centers for important conservation information, such as the dangers of invasive species to boaters and anglers. There are 72 million boaters whose individual and collective actions can make a difference in the waters in which they recreate by stopping the transport of invasive species.
AMI will be working with members of Congress to pass legislation providing financial support for federal, state and local entities to coordinate the fight to eradicate and control aquatic invasive nuisance species.
“Senator Levin (D-MI) and Representatives Gilchrest (R-MD) and Ehlers (R-MI) have introduced the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003, bi-partisan legislation that would bring much needed management to the fight against invasive species. We need to generate interest among all the affected constituencies, including recreational boaters and anglers, and urge them to contact their elected representatives to ask for their support” said Mari Lou Livingood, Director of Program Development for AMI.
Livingood continues by adding, “Aquatic invasive species affect anyone enjoying or working on behalf of recreational waters. This issue is bigger than any one organization. I hope Congress will realize that there are many segments of the population poised to help in the fight against invasive species.”
According to a General Accounting Office report, “scientists, academicians, and industry leaders are recognizing invasive species as one of the most serious threats of the twenty-first century”.
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, a group of Federal and non-Federal representatives that coordinates efforts related to nonindigenous aquatic species in the United States, estimates that reductions in native fish threaten a sport and commercial fishing industry that is valued at almost $4.5 billion annually and supports 81,000 jobs.
More information on the event can be found online at www.marinaassociation.org.
The event serves as an opportunity to bring attention to the threat to native fish populations posed by aquatic invasive species. The northern snakehead (Channa argus) has the potential to significantly disturb or damage native fish populations such as small and large mouth bass in the Potomac River. It also promotes marinas as educational and outreach centers for important conservation information, such as the dangers of invasive species to boaters and anglers. There are 72 million boaters whose individual and collective actions can make a difference in the waters in which they recreate by stopping the transport of invasive species.
AMI will be working with members of Congress to pass legislation providing financial support for federal, state and local entities to coordinate the fight to eradicate and control aquatic invasive nuisance species.
“Senator Levin (D-MI) and Representatives Gilchrest (R-MD) and Ehlers (R-MI) have introduced the National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2003, bi-partisan legislation that would bring much needed management to the fight against invasive species. We need to generate interest among all the affected constituencies, including recreational boaters and anglers, and urge them to contact their elected representatives to ask for their support” said Mari Lou Livingood, Director of Program Development for AMI.
Livingood continues by adding, “Aquatic invasive species affect anyone enjoying or working on behalf of recreational waters. This issue is bigger than any one organization. I hope Congress will realize that there are many segments of the population poised to help in the fight against invasive species.”
According to a General Accounting Office report, “scientists, academicians, and industry leaders are recognizing invasive species as one of the most serious threats of the twenty-first century”.
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, a group of Federal and non-Federal representatives that coordinates efforts related to nonindigenous aquatic species in the United States, estimates that reductions in native fish threaten a sport and commercial fishing industry that is valued at almost $4.5 billion annually and supports 81,000 jobs.
More information on the event can be found online at www.marinaassociation.org.