Document 63pKXEDV4ZQY9VB838yEKp96

To: Williams, Michael[MWilliams@kelleydrye.com] Cc: Tasha Robbins[tasha_l_robbins@ios.doi.gov] From: Aurelia Skipwith Sent: 2017-08-19T11:32:52-04:00 Importance: Normal Subject: Re: Atlantic Menhaden Fishery -- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Received: 2017-08-19T11:32:59-04:00 Michael, Thank you for reaching out. I welcome the meeting with Ben on Wednesday, August 30th. I've included Tasha Robbins to find a mutually convenient time. I look forward to us meeting and working together. Aurelia Skipwith Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks U.S. Department of Interior 1849 C Street NW, Room 3148 Washington, DC 20240 202-208-5837 On Aug 18, 2017, at 11:49 AM, Williams, Michael <MWilliams@kelleydrye.com> wrote: How are you? Congratulations on the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks position. It's wonderful to have likeminded people at DOI again. I've heard many great things about you from my friends in the hunting and fishing community. I work with Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and represent a variety of groups that follow conservation issues such as Smith & Wesson, American Kennel Club (hunting on refugees with dogs), the trappers, and NRA. We also represent numerous commercial fishing interests including Omega Protein and the Fisheries Survival Fund (coalition of Atlantic coast commercial scallop fishermen). I would love the opportunity to visit with to discuss the issues of concern to these groups but I have a specific request related to Omega Protein. Omega Protein is a 100 year old company that is the leading US provider of proteins and specialty oils used as supplements in both human and animal food. Omega is the United States top producer of omega-3 rich fish oil, which is largely derived from menhaden. Last October, the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board voted 16-2 to increase the 2017 menhaden quota by 6.45%. This increase was approved based on a SCIENCE-BASED stock assessment of the menhaden board technical committee. Despite the scientific stock assessment that showed the menhaden fishery could have sustained an even higher quota increase (30 - 40%), the FWS was one of the two dissenting votes against the menhaden quota increase. The other was Pennsylvania which does not have a menhaden fishery. FWS representatives on the Menhaden Board have consistently voted contrary to scientific findings. I wanted to see if we might be able to set up a meeting between you and Ben Landry (Director of Public Affairs for Omega), Dave Frulla, Drew Minkiewicz and I (all with Kelley Drye & Warren) to discuss FWS input and participation with the Atlantic Menhaden Management Board, which is the group within the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission that sets quotas for the annual menhaden harvest. Ben Landry will be in town on Monday, August 28 and Wednesday, August 30. Would you or someone on your team be able to meet with Ben on one of those days? I also hope to visit with you at some point on the other issues we work. I look forward to meeting you. Regards, Mike Williams Senior Advisor Government Contracts and National Security Group Kelley Drye & Warren LLP W 202-342-8813 M 703-963-0918 The information contained in this E-mail message is privileged, confidential, and may be protected from disclosure; please be aware that any other use, printing, copying, disclosure or dissemination of this communication may be subject to legal restriction or sanction. If you think that you have received this E-mail message in error, please reply to the sender. This E-mail message and any attachments have been scanned for viruses and are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened. However, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use.