About

The American Fisheries Society…

• Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
• Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
• Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
• Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
• Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS publishes…

A major Annual Meeting is hosted each year, and specialized symposia are held regularly on different topics. Click here to see the schedule for future Annual Meetings. Each Annual Meeting includes:

• Approximately 2,000 fisheries professionals from around the world
• Dozens of symposia and hundreds of oral presentation and posters
• Continuing Education Workshops
• Trade Show

AFS Units also host 4 Division, 48 Chapter, and several Section meetings throughout North America annually.

Our largest meeting was the 141st Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, September 2011, with:

• Approximately 4,000 fisheries professionals attended from around the world.
• 2,600 oral presentation and 500 posters
• 19 Continuing Education Workshops

AFS advises policy…

• The Society seeks to improve the conservation and sustainability of fish and aquatic resources through thoughtful engagement with decision makers on issues.
• Approximately 40 percent of freshwater fish species in North America are imperiled due to habitat loss, invasive species, water quality, and climate change.
• AFS capitalizes on the expertise of its members to influence policy outcomes in these key areas to benefit aquatic resources by sharing management knowledge and the best available science with decision makers and partners.
• AFS develops and conveys recommendations to regulatory agencies and Congress to support the conservation, enhancement, and management of our nation’s aquatic resources and freshwater and marine ecosystems.
• Through non-partisan Congressional briefings on fisheries issues, AFS helps to educate members and their staffs with relevant science to enable better decision-making.
• AFS policy staff provides opportunities for member engagement in developing policy recommendations and in supporting key legislative initiatives.  It also provides support to Sections, Divisions, and Chapters in policy engagement.

AFS promotes education and professional development…

• Professional Certification
• Awards and recognition
• Promotes strong curriculum
• Encourages professional minimum standards
• Promotes student involvement (AFS has 58 university‐based Student Subunits)

More about the Society

The American Fisheries Society has a long history which reflects the changes in the social and natural resources history of North America. Established in 1870 in New York City, the AFS was originally called the “American Fish Culturists’ Association.” The history of AFS is a fascinating story spanning many years, including:

• 130 Presidents (including 7 women)
• 7 Executive Directors (1st in 1965)
• 145 Annual Meetings (no meetings were held during World War II from 1942‐1945)

AFS is led by a team of leaders including an Executive Director, Governing Board and officers at every unit level. The leadership team is guided by several key organizational documents, including a strategic plan, constitution and rules, and procedures.

• North Central
• Northeastern
• Southern
• Western

Chapters fall within these geographic divisions. There are currently 48 Chapters in North America, including two bi‐national Chapters (Atlantic International, Washington‐British Columbia) and the Mexico Chapter. Chapters may in turn contain many Student Subunits, which serve as a way for students to be involved within their institution and network with local professionals.

In addition to this geographic division, Sections serve member needs by bringing members within a specific discipline or topic area together.

AFS is a member‐driven organization.

• Join at www.fisheries.org
• Attend a Division, Chapter or Student Subunit meeting
• Already a member? Get more involved and volunteer for a committee or run for office