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4 BIOLOGICAL REPORT 19 rotating basis. At a minimum, staffing will consist of a coordinator/executive secretary. Most technical work is to be conducted by the cooperating parties. MICRA has several objectives for the improve- ment of the basin's aquatic resources, including: 1. Develop a formal framework and secure funding for basinwide networking and coordinating mechanisms that complement existing and emerging administrative entities. A strategic work plan is in place. The major problem to date has been to establish procedures that are prac- tical and reliable. 2. Develop public information and education pro- grams to disseniinate information that sup- ports fIshery resource management in the Mis- sissippi River basin. Initiate public information programs that will better educate our existing constituents and gain support of new ones. The public needs to become better informed of the importance of their rivers and of the potential they provide for all ~rts of recreational oppor- tunities. 3. Develop an information management program based on standardized methods for collecting and reporting fIshery resource data, basinwide. MICRA should provide "one-stop shopping" for information on Mississippi River basin fIsher- ies. Owing to various types of training and experience, fIshery scientists and managers have developed many methods for sampling fIsh. Methods should be standardized so that sampling is comparable basinwide. This will enhance the use and sharing of fIshery data. 4. Determine and document the socia-economic value of fIshery resources and related recrea- tion. Unfortunately, fisheries and related rec- reational resources have traditionally been con- sidered far less valuable than development pro- jects. This disparity has changed, and we need to gather information that fairly and equitably describes the economic and social importance of fIsh and wildlife resources. 5. Improve communication and coordination among entities responsible for fisheries re- source management and traditional water de- velopment activities in the Mississippi River basin. 6. Identify and prioritize issues of concern in the Mississippi River basin for coordinated re- search that supports cooperative resource man- agement. Periodic evaluation of issues and needs will ensure that MICRA does not get off on a one-issue tangent that would divert it from mainstream problems. Research funded or en- dorsed by MICRA will be research that ad- dresses management needs. 7. Identify and coordinate fIshery management programs to address species and habitat con- cerns from an ecosystem perspective. The key words here are ecosystem perspective. Many issues will arise that are locally significant; however, the primary mission will be on a broader ecosystem level. 8. Develop compatible regulations and policies for fishery management to achieve interstate con- sensus on allocation of fIshery resources. This has been a traditional problem basinwide, al- though agencies in some parts of the basin have addressed this issue effectively. MICRA will promote standardization of regulations throughout the basin. 9. Protect native species and native biodiversity from invasion by exotic organisms by develop- ing the protocol, policy, and regulations for dis- ease control, introduction of non-native species, maintenance of genetic integrity, and mainte- nance and enhancement of indigenous species. 10. Preserve, protect, and restore fIShery habitats basinwide through improved management and restoration of riverine and riparian habitats. What has MICRA accomplished to date? 1. Established a coordinators office with an execu- tive secretary in Columbia, Missouri. 2. Established a bi-monthly newsletter entitled River Crossings. 3. Completed the Mississippi Basin Comprehen- sive Strategic Plan for Interjurisdictional Fish- eries and the associated vision statement for restoring the rivers fIsheries. 4. Gained recognition by Congressmen Gunderson (Wisconsin) and Owens (Utah) that this strat- egy possibly could help meet the needs of the Nation's big rivers. Their legislation, intro- duced in 1992 as lffi.4169, would establish a national council, develop a national plan, and provide "test" funding for MICRA for 3 years. 5. Formed an interstate sturgeon and paddlefish work committee to provide the basis for man- agement of these important species. The effort undertaken to prepare papers for presentation at this symposium and to publish the proceedings will assist in the development of a database for MICRA and will highlight the chal- lenges facing scientists, managers, resource deci- sion makers, politicians, and concerned citizens.