In December 2002, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams released the new national vision for the Fisheries Program, following its approval by the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The national vision, entitled ?Conserving America's Fisheries - Fisheries Program Vision for the Future,? was developed in close coordination with key partners and stakeholders across the country. The purpose of the national vision statement is to focus and guide Fisheries Program activities over the next 10 years. The Service recognizes that this effort will fall short without the support and collaboration of the states, tribes, other federal agencies, the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and other partners and stakeholders from the angling and aquatic conservation communities.

Each of the Service's regions has developed a strategic plan to provide regional focus to the goals in the national vision. As part of the Northeast Region's Fisheries Strategic Plan, a session for invited partners and stakeholders was held on April 16 in conjunction with the Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference. At this session, approximately 40 partners and stakeholders representing states, tribes, other federal agencies and angling and aquatic conservation groups shared their concerns and offered priorities and strategies for the plan.

A draft plan was released for partner and stakeholder review in early July. The draft was revised in response to comments received, and the final plan was sent to the Service's Washington office in October.

NORTHEAST REGION, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE -- Conserving the Nature of the Northeast