Gulf Of Mexico Resource List And Media Advisory: Fish And Habitat Experts Available To Media For Perspective On Gulf Oil Impact

Attention: Producers, editors, reporters, news directors

Galveston, TX (June 16, 2010) - The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance, a non-profit trade organization of veteran fishermen throughout the Gulf of Mexico, has created a media resource program for journalists, producers, assignment editors who seek additional, well-informed sources. Members of the organization hail from ports in all five Gulf states and have deep scientific and practical perspectives on the specific impact spilling oil will have on fish, wildlife and habitat within the Gulf.

While recent media and public attention has turned to inland marshes, beaches and wetlands, the problems in the deep and shallow waters of the Gulf continue. Topics of Shareholders' expertise include:

Finfish behavior, spawning and adaptive strengths
Reef fish behavior, spawning and adaptive strengths
Natural migratory patterns of specific species
Reef Fish Habitat
Seafood Safety Efforts

The organization's expert sources are available to meet your crews on the water or on the ground for comment, perspective and assistance. Contact Mark Thien, media director, mark@envolveus.com, 615-400-4911, or Tj Tate, executive director, tjtate@shareholdersalliance.org, 904-669-8894 for access.

David Krebs, president (Destin, Fla.), a 40-year veteran commercial fisherman, and fishhouse owner in Destin and Sebastian, Fla. He has served on the Gulf's Advisory Panel (AP) for Red Snapper individual fishing quota (IFQ) management systems and has been to New Zealand and British Colombia to study their IFQ systems. He was appointed recently to the Catch Share Ad Hoc AP. He currently own six commercial boats, and believes without sustainability measures, neither fisher nor fisherman will survive.

Keith "Buddy" Guindon, treasurer (Galveston, TX), a 30+ year veteran as both a fishermen and fish house owner operator. He has assisted on state and federal levels with the implementation of Individual Fishing Quotas into the red snapper fishery. He operates on the level of educating the entire fishing industry on the benefits of sustainable fishing practices to secure the future of Gulf fisheries.

Bill Tucker, secretary (Dunedin, FL), is a regular contributor to red snapper and grouper IFQ Advisory Panels (AP). Also serves on Reef fish AP and LAPP AP. Full time fisherman and boat owner since 1985. Active with Gulf Council and FWCC.

Glen Brooks, member (Cortez, FL), a grouper and red snapper fishing for 27 years, owns two longliners and four vertical line fishing boats. He is also partner in four additional vessels at A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez, Fla. He serves on the IFQ advisory panel and the new Vessel Monitoring System Panel (VMS) for NMFS. He is currently also president of the Gulf Fishermen's Association.

Jason DeLaCruz, member (Seminole, FL), a vested participant in the Gulf of Mexico's Grouper (commercial) IFQ catch share program and a recreational fisherman for over 20 years. Jason works closely with scientists at NMFS and the Gulf Council and recently participated in a Cooperative Research Program. He is a member of the Vessel Monitoring System Panel (VMS).

Mark Friudenberg, member (Freeport, TX), owner of Seafood Market since 2003 where 90% of seafood is caught by Gulf Coast fishermen and shrimpers. He has served as President of the local chapter of the International Longshoremen Association for 10 years.

Tj Tate, executive director (St. Augustine, Fla.), an environmental professional for over 15 years and has worked to strengthen our nation's fisheries since 1998. As Executive Director, she works with diverse groups of fishermen, communities, environmental groups, and decision-makers to strengthen the reef fish industry. Her focus is sustai