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  updated on August 12, 2010

Good morning Alaska Public School District Folks,

I hope you are doing well.

It was suggested by a statewide science teacher spokesperson that I send you this email and ask you forward it to your science teachers.

I am the Fish Resource Permit (FRP) Program Coordinator for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (Sport Fish Division). My job is to write permits that are legally required for all "takes" of freshwater fish resources (from amphibians to fish to aquatic plants) not authorized by AlaskaBoard of Fisheries regulations (sportfish, subsistence and commercial). By regulating such harvests, ADF&G works to insure both appropriate use and long-term health of our aquatic resources.

Such 'takes" range from agencies using non-sport fishing approved equipment to monitor fish resources on their lands to general research projects to educational aquaria to school projects by teachers and children for in class instruction and science fair projects. The last two issues are the motivation for this email.

Having been a judge/advisor to many school science fairs/projects, I believe a number of teachers and students do not know when a FRP is needed. General information is available at the websitehttp://www.cf.adfg.state.ak.us/geninfo/permits/forms_sci.php. I can be contacted for more information and for help filling out an application (attached). The Department of Fish and Game FRP Policy is also attached for those who want a more in depth understanding of the program.

ADF&G does all it can to make sure the process of getting a FRP is not an onerous. This process can actually be a good teaching tool helping teachers and students to understand how agencies work to protect resources. Another benefit is demonstrating that through collaboration with state biologists projects can become stronger instilling more pride and a feeling of connectedness in students. Finally, getting a FRP for applicable projects is the law.

I would appreciate it very much if you could pass this email to the science teachers at your school and thank them for reading and considering its message

Finally, thank you for your help on this.

Wishing you an excellent school year and the best always,



Bob

Bob Piorkowski, Ph.D.
Alaska Department of Fish and Game-SF
Box 115526,Juneau,Alaska99811-5526
Work (907)465-6109 Fax (907)465-2772
robert.piorkowski@alaska.gov
bob_piorkowski@fishgame.state.ak.us