George W. Bush's 2006 Budget Porposal,
would boost hatcheries. Bush has requested more
than $1.3 billion-a $30.9 million increase, for
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services for the 2006
budget. The key feature of the budget request
increases funding for grant and cost-sharing
programs, which provide a foundation for effort
to protect endangered and at-risk species, engage
local communities and achieve conservation goals,
and it also includes increases for wildlife refuges
and hatcheries.
$4.2 million will go to the Partners for
Fish and Wildlife, which works with private landowners
on a voluntary basis to restore habitat on private
land. Additional Service increases include $394
million for the National Wildlife Refuge System,
which is a net increase of $7.9 million. For more
information on Bush's Proposal to Boost Hatcheries,
go to NAFC Links at: www.fishingclub.com.

Austin, TX--DNR say golden algae blooms
killed thousands of fish in over 12 differn't
lakes this year. Although most kills involved shad,
authorities say that it is affecting game fish, but
not as badly. Golden Algae, also infected the
Brazos River, which hurt many fisheries. The Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), are closely
watching many lakes throughout Northern-Texas.

State and federal wildlife experts say the
chance of people in Texas encountering wild migratory
birds with Avian Influenza this year is remote, but
however, authorities are launching proactive efforts
to detect the disease if it comes to North America
and they’re advising hunters about game bird handling
to reduce general disease risks. At this time, the
Avian Influenza has not been found anywhere in North
America–there are no records of positive tests in wild
or domestic birds, and no known human cases of illness.
However, the “bird flu” has been publicized in news
reports which note it has caused illness in more than
100 people and killed close to 60 people in Southeast
Asia. All of those deaths involved contact with domestic
poultry, not wild birds. Some people believe the disease
could eventually travel to North America through wild
bird migration, including possible transmission from
Asia through Alaska. A collaborative interagency working
group of scientists, public health officials, and policy
makers with state and federal agencies is developing a
plan for early detection of HPAI H5N1 in North American
birds. For more than a year, working group member
agencies in Alaska have tested samples from thousands
of wild birds and have found no evidence of the disease.
A Sept. 2 statement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service said “Ongoing migratory bird surveillance,
coupled with what we now know about the scope of the
disease in Asia and the projected movement of birds from
affected areas, gives us reason to think that, while
possible, there is no evidence to indicate that H5N1
will reach Alaska, or any other part of North America,
in 2005.”