Calling Them Shrimp Just Wouldn't Make Sense

The headline reads like the title of a science fiction move: Giant Prawns Invade Texas. Known to be in the Gulf of Mexico for the last few years, giant Asian tiger prawns have now appeared in Texas waters.

These prawns are speculated to be aquaculture escapes and have taken hold in the gulf coast waters where they threaten the native white shrimp, crabs and shellfish. One theory is that floods washed them out of aquaculture ponds in South Carolina, the Caribbean or one of the gulf states.

The prawns are big and competitive and compete for the same food sources as their native relatives. The tiger prawns also think nothing of dining on their smaller cousins and small crabs too.

The giants are known carries to 16 different diseases that are known to be lethal to native species.

I'm guessing due to their large size, sometimes better than a foot long, these prawns are so named because calling them shrimp just wouldn't make sense.

More information on these alien invaders can be found at ProtectYourWaters.net

Pennsylvania is Looking for Fisheries Biologists

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is seeking individuals interested in a career as a fisheries biologist.

The PFBC currently has one vacancy each for a Fisheries Biologist 1, Fisheries Biologist 2 and Fisheries Biologist 3 in Centre County.

Interested individuals have until Sept. 21 to submit a job application with the State Civil Service Commission, which opened the Fisheries Biologist exam on March 20. Applications must be received or postmarked by Sept. 21. The announcement and exam will be suspended after that date.

Nature of work:

Fisheries Biologist 1 - Work in fisheries research or fisheries management for the PFBC. Conduct studies in fish pathology, fish culture, water chemistry, and fish nutrition; conduct stream and impoundment surveys; compile, analyze, and report technical data used to recommend ways to preserve and enhance the aquatic resources.  Assist state and federal agencies in establishing water quality criteria, conservation education, and joint resource management.

Fisheries Biologist 2 - Perform work described for the Fisheries Biologist 1 level, but with a greater degree of independence, responsibility, and technical proficiency.  Serve as an agency representative on various committees and projects.

Fisheries Biologist 3 - Supervise fisheries management or fisheries research; design, coordinate, oversee, and participate in surveys and scientific studies; analyze collected data and prepare technical reports containing specific conclusions and recommendations.  May serve as an agency representative on various committees and projects; respond to inquiries from professionals, government agencies, special interest groups, and the general public; and develop and conduct workshops, training sessions, and presentations.

How to apply:

Please use the link below to view the test announcement for this position. Scroll to the heading “Engineering and Environmental Control.”

• http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/jobseekers/11372

Interested individuals can print the civil service application from the following location:

• http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/
  general_information/14274/civil_service_application/590494

For general employment information, visit the State Civil Service Commission’s website at www.scsc.state.pa.us.
Contact
PFBC Human Resources
ra-pfbchr@pa.gov
717-705-7820

$882.4 Million in User-Generated Funding goes to State Wildlife Agencies

Hunters, Anglers, and Other Recreational Users Provide
Support for Critical Conservation Projects

More than $882.4 million in excise tax revenues generated in 2012 by sportsmen and sportswomen will be distributed to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies to fund fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects across the nation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.

These funds are made available to all 50 states and territories through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs. Revenues come from excise taxes generated by the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and tackle, and electric outboard motors. Recreational boaters also contribute to the program through fuel taxes on motorboats and small engines.

“The sporting community has provided the financial and spiritual foundation for wildlife conservation in America for more than 75 years,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “Through these programs, hunters, anglers, recreational boaters and target shooters continue to fund vital fish and wildlife management and conservation, recreational boating access, and hunter and aquatic education programs.”

“The financial support from America’s hunting, shooting sports, fishing and boating community through their purchases of excise taxable equipment and hunting and fishing licenses is the lifeblood for funding fish and wildlife conservation; supporting public safety education; and opening access for outdoor recreation that benefits everyone,” said Jeff Vonk, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. “Fish and wildlife can be conserved, protected and restored through science-based management and it is critical that all these taxes collected be apportioned to advance conservation efforts in the field.”

The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program apportionment for 2013 totals $522.5 million. The Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program apportionment for 2013 totals $359.9 million. As a result of the statutorily required sequester, these apportionments have been reduced by 5.1 percent, or approximately $39.2 million. Additional Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant funding to the states has also been reduced, for a total sequestration-related reduction of approximately $44 million.

The Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program reimburses up to 75 percent of the cost of each eligible project while state fish and wildlife agencies contribute a minimum of 25 percent, generally using hunting and fishing license revenues as the required non-Federal match.

Funding is paid by manufacturers, producers, and importers, and distributed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program to each state and territory. For information on funding for each state, visit http://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2013/pdf/Master_apport_table_Final_2013.pdf.

The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs have generated a total of more than $15.3 billion since their inception – in 1937 in the case of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program, and 1950 for the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program – to conserve fish and wildlife resources. The recipient fish and wildlife agencies have matched these program funds with more than $5.1 billion. This funding is critical to sustaining healthy fish and wildlife populations and providing opportunities for all to connect with nature.

Please visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program website at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/ for more information on the goals and accomplishments of these programs and for individual state, commonwealth, and territorial funding allocations.