9535

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9535
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Fish & Wildlife News.
• USFW Year: 2003.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

Achieving Scientific Excellence
From day one as Director, I have
emphasized integrity. When we are
committed to scientific excellence in the
decisions we make, we enhance our integrity
as an organization. This is the Service's
tradition, and I recently saw a proud
example that I want to share.
In November 2000, the Service made a
decision with the National Marine Fisheries
Service to declare Atlantic salmon
endangered in eight Maine rivers. Integral to
that action was the scientific determination
that Maine's salmon are genetically distinct
from other Atlantic salmon.
Throughout the entire listing and post-listing
process, both agencies worked to maintain
scientific integrity by documenting the
science and acknowledging the many
unanswered questions. (Both agencies
continue seeking answers through various
research.) Scientific support from the U.S.
Geological Survey was instrumental as well.
Documents and correspondence supporting
the decision were organized meticulously.
Good thing, too. A month after the listing,
we were sued on the decision and the
validity of the Services' joint policy on
distinct population segments. The plaintiffs
also convinced Congress to direct the
National Research Council to review the
genetic status of Atlantic Salmon in Maine.
In January 2002, the NRC released its
interim report affirming the Services'
scientific decision, and concluding that
"...the data are persuasive," and "...the
Fish & Wildlife News
Executive Editon Megan Durham
Editor. Ben Ikenson
Printed on recycled paper
genetic evidence available for review
indicates that wild salmon swimming in
Maine's DPS-designated rivers are
genetically distinct."
Then, in May 2003, a district judge rejected
the legal challenge. He concluded that
"... The Services' conclusion that wild runs
of salmon have persisted within the DPS was
adequately explained and was reasonable
based on the scientific evidence in the
administrative record."
The case represents the level of scientific
complexity that we confront daily: biological
issues from the ecosystem level down to the
genetic level; effects of hatcheries, stocking,
and aquaculture to water withdrawals and
juvenile return rates. But it also represents
the nature of our legal dilemmas. The
Service often finds itself in the middle of
conflicting interests. While these interests
are not always mutually exclusive, there is
no room for bias. Science must dictate.
This September, I launched a "Science
Excellence" Initiative. The escalating
complexity of conservation demands
rigorous, timely, and relevant science. With
that in mind, we will be taking steps to build
on our tradition of scientific excellence.
First, we are entering a new era of
partnership with the USGS to improve the
scientific support for natural resource
management in both our agencies. I am
pleased that USGS Director Chip Groat
has authored an article in this edition of
Fish & Wildlife News. This past October,
Submit articles and photographs to:
Ben Ikenson
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Room 3359
1849 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20240
2021208 5631
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Please do NOT mail disks or photos via
the U.S. Post Office. The irradiation
process melts them.
Chip and I co-hosted a "Science Summit"
involving the combined executive leadership
of our two bureaus. At that meeting we
explored ways to work to collaboratively
improve scientific support for natural
resource management. I expect that this
strengthened USGS partnership will be
the first of many with others in the
scientific community.
We will be taking many other steps to
strengthen scientific excellence. One that I
am particularly excited about is enhancing
access to scientific literature through NCTC,
thanks largely to our conservation librarian
Anne Roy. This will give our employees a
state-of-the-art electronic search and
retrieval service for scientific literature
through our web site. There will be many
more avenues that we will head down on
this journey to strengthen scientific
excellence in the Service. To keep abreast,
read our first Science Advisory page in this
issue, visit the new science home page at
<sii.fws.gov/scienceadvisory> and sign up
for the Science Advisory list serve, at
[e-mail].
Z
Deadline for future issue:
Summer Issue 2004, by: March 31
Fall Issue 2004, by: June 30
Winter Issue 2004-05, by: September 30
Spring Issue 2005, by: December 31