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MEMBERSHIP

We Reel-y Don’t Want to Lose You!

Love the fisheries profession? If you haven’t done so, make it o-fish-al and renew your AFS Membership today! We don’t want you to fall out of the netour “network,” that isof the AFS community. If you don’t renew, it will break our hearts! Simply log into your account. Questions about your membership and account login, or requests for an invoice, can be sent to the AFS Membership Team at [email protected].

MEETINGS

Latin America & Caribbean Fisheries Congress Abstract Deadline Extended

Abstract submission for the Latin America has been extended until February 20. We welcome all people interested in fisheries science, management, and conservation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to join us under the theme of "Bridging Fish, Fisheries Science, and Conservation Across the Americas." The Congress will address both freshwater and marine systems and include training opportunities, student events, 21 symposia, and much more. Registration is now open—register by March 31 to save with early registration rates.

POLICY

AFS Urges Congress to Uphold Latest Waters of the United States Rule

On February 8, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a hearing (watch video) on "stakeholder perspectives" on the 2023 Waters of the US (WOTUS) Rule. Recently, a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) for the new WOTUS Rule was introduced in both the House and Senate, which would invalidate the rule if passed. AFS submitted testimony urging Congress to "uphold the 2023 Rule and not return to the 2020 NWPR for the significant harm it would cause to wildlife, fish, fisheries and the communities that rely on them. " We thank the members of AFS and the other societies of the Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies for their assistance in drafting this testimony.

Pebble Mine Vetoed by EPA

AFS commended the EPA’s use of its authority under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to safeguard Bristol Bay’s sustainable wild salmon and the pristine habitat they thrive in from the irreversible effects of Pebble Mine, a project whose impacts to fisheries and the watershed cannot be adequately reduced or mitigated.

Other recent positive fish habitat protection news includes the reinstatement of roadless area protections for 9.37 million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska and withdrawal of 225,504 acres in the Superior National Forest from mining leasing for 20 years to protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.
Winters Family Fall Mini

New Role for Policy Director Drue Winters

AFS Policy Director Drue Winters has begun a new phase of her career by establishing her own policy consulting business. Drue will continue to work for AFS on a contractual basis to address key activities including several congressional briefings and the science communications training that has been so successful with our members and partners. She will also be available for a limited number of hours to work on policy matters as defined by AFS leadership. We thank her for her work to build a vibrant, effective, and highly respected policy program.

PUBLICATIONS

Pick Up the Latest Title in Our Symposium Series

Reflections on Forest Management is intended as a reference for aquatic biologists, foresters, and other natural resource specialists and as source material for anyone interested in exploring the evolution of the complex relationship of forest management to aquatic biota.

FISHERIES

Citizen Science Surveys Provide Novel Nearshore Data

Long-term data are key to understanding how species, communities, and habitats change over time. Citizen science programs can support data collection at greater spatial and temporal scales than other types of scientifically collected data, which tend to be project specific and are often tied to short funding periods. This study demonstrates how citizen science data from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) can be used to answer scientific questions via two case studies: the first on Lingcod Ophiodon elongatus population responses to management decisions and the second on detecting rockfish Sebastes spp.

Abundance–Occupancy Patterns Of Black Bass In An Impounded River

This paper report on the abundance–occupancy relationships of three black bass species in a cascade of reservoirs. To the author's knowledge, this is the first time that abundance–occupancy has been quantified for this ubiquitous genus native to eastern North America, but naturalized in reservoirs across the globe, and the first time abundance–occupancy patterns have been quantified in reservoirs.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nominations for 2023 Awards Now Open

Check out our new awards nomination system, now open for 2023 nominations! The new awards nomination process will address past inconsistencies and submission barriers to increase nominations, decrease the amount of effort it takes to make a nomination, and shine well-deserved light on the incredible work being done by AFS members and others in the aquatics realm. Awards are available for conservation, scientific merit, and service. Numerous travel awards for the AFS Annual Meeting as well as scholarships and fellowships are also available. Most award nominations are due on April 1.

Hutton Scholar Applications for Summer 2023 Due February 14

Student applications for the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program are still open! High school students interested in learning about fisheries and aquatic sciences should apply by February 14 at https://hutton.fisheries.org. Paid summer internship opportunities are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico. Interested in mentoring a student this year? Mentor applications are due by March 6.

RESOURCES

EVENTS: See upcoming AFS and other fisheries events in our Events Calendar
CAREERS: For the latest JOBS postings from around the U.S. and Canada
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