(Atlantic City, NJ) August 22, 2018 – Robert L. Curry was awarded the Meritorious Service Award at the 2018 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey. AFS President Steve L. McMullin presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Meritorious Service Award recognizes an individual AFS member for loyalty, dedication, and meritorious service to the Society over a long period of time and for exceptional commitment to the programs, objectives, and long-term goals of the Society.
“We applaud the distinguished contributions of Robert L. Curry and thank him for his continuous dedication to the Society,” said AFS President Steve L. McMullin.
Robert has been a member of the American Fisheries Society since 1979 and has served AFS admirably at many levels within AFS. He is a member of the North Carolina Chapter, chaired its Education Committee, and served as their Chapter president. He has served as president of the Southern Division, and as president of the Fisheries Administration Section.
Robert’s service to AFS committees includes Local Arrangements, Outstanding Chapter Award, Time and Place, Nominating, Membership Concerns, Management and the Awards Committee. Robert was the general chair of the 1999 AFS Annual Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.
His work in 2006-2008 as chair of the AFS Disaster Relief of Hurricane Katrina was effective and critical for natural resources agencies and scientists affected agencies received critical replacements of sampling gear, journals and other technical materials that significantly accelerated their abilities to resume scientific and management activities following the storm.
He was recognized by the society with the Distinguished Service Award in 2007 for his part in overseeing the AFS Disaster Relief effort. Throughout his AFS service Robert has emphasized the professional development and AFS participation of students and young professionals, and he makes himself readily available to students and young professionals in informal settings to discuss their career aspirations and offers guidance based on his considerable experiences.
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Editor’s Notes:
Founded in 1870, the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is the world’s oldest and largest fisheries science society. The mission of AFS is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. With five journals and numerous books and conferences, AFS is the leading source of fisheries science and management information in North America and around the world.
General link: fisheries.org
Link to AFS Annual Meeting: afsannualmeeting.fisheries.org
