Secretary Salazar Announces Appointments to Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council

WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the appointments of 23 individuals to the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council, an advisory panel created in 1993 to advise the Secretary on nationally significant recreational fishing, boating and aquatic resource conservation issues.  "With its vast experience and expertise in boating, fishing and conservation, the council will continue to play a vital role in achieving the goals of President Obama's America's Great Outdoors initiative to foster a 21st century approach to conservation and outdoor recreation," Salazar said. "Thanks to the council's ongoing work, the nation is benefitting not only from more opportunities for outdoor recreation but also from the $3.6 billion in economic activity generated by fishing and boating, which supports 68,000 jobs across the nation."

Salazar announced the appointment of the following individuals - whose terms begin immediately - to serve on the Council for the upcoming two-year term: 

During its 19 year history, the Council's advice and recommendations have played a major role in providing guidance to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on its fisheries program and improving the efficiency of grant programs delivered through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

James Adams - States Organization for Boating Access

John Arway - Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

Douglass Boyd - Coastal Conservation Association

Jeffrey Crane - Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation

Thomas Dammrich - National Marine Manufacturers Association

Roy Elicker - Director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Frederick Harris - American Fisheries Society

Betty Huskins - Southeastern Tourism Policy Council

Scott Kovaravics - Izaak Walton League of America

Ryck Lydecker - Boat Owners Association of the United States

Eugene "Mac" McKeever III - L.L. Bean

Jerry McKinnis - Bass Anglers Sportsman Society

Michael Nussman - American Sportfishing Association

Geoffrey Ratté - FishingKids

John Sprague - Marine Industries Association of Florida