Members in the News

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Dr. Yushun Chen received the Distinguished Service Award at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members. “We applaud the distinguished service of Dr. Chen and thank him for his continuous efforts to enhance member experiences with AFS,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Dr. Chen was specifically recognized for personal investment in helping AFS members establish new connections and relationships to expand the scope and effect of AFS. He has expanded understanding of AFS throughout the world, making the World Council of Fisheries Societies more effective. Dr. Chen has also expanded Chinese understanding of AFS and its collaboration with the China Fisheries Society. Currently, Dr. Chen and his lab are conducting fish and aquatic communities, water quality, and aquatic ecosystems health research in the Yangtze River basin, and Basins along the Eastern Route of China’s South to North Water Diversion Project. They are also working on Mississippi-Yangtze Large River Basins aquatic resources conservation and restorations through international collaborations. From 2010-2014 Dr. Chen worked as an assistant professor in the Aquaculture and Fisheries Center at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Here, Dr. Chen led a research lab on water quality and aquatic communities, and conducted multiple research projects.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Dr. Carol Ann Woody received the President’s Fishery Conservation Award today at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The President’s Fishery Conservation Award is awarded for singular accomplishments or long-term contributions that advance aquatic resource conservation at a regional or local level. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. Woody and thank her for her continuous efforts to advance aquatic resource conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Dr. Woody is an exceptionally strong advocate for the conservation of wild Pacific salmon, particularly in Bristol Bay, Alaska, where this summer 56 million sockeye salmon returned to the region’s pristine rivers. She is specifically recognized for her decade long effort to communicate scientific understanding of the potential risks to fisheries from mining Bristol Bay’s massive copper porphyry deposits and to provide baseline data on water quality, habitat, and fish communities in the region.  Her early and sustained efforts to collect and communicate the relevant science on risks to the salmon fishery provided essential information for stakeholders and decision makers at local, regional, state and national levels.   Dr. Woody went beyond just doing the science and spent countless hours mentoring students and communicating the science with tribal members, non-governmental organizations, policy makers, and subsistence, sport & commercial fishers, helping ensure their own understanding and decisions were informed by the latest scientific findings related to development in one of the last global strongholds of Pacific salmon.     # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected] (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – The Indiana AFS Chapter received the award for Outstanding Small Chapter at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Best Unit Awards recognize outstanding professionalism, active resource protection and enhancement programs, and commitment to the mission of the Society. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of the Indiana Chapter and thank them for their continuous conservation efforts,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. The Indiana Chapter was specifically recognized for their staffing of the “Fish with a Fish Head Day” at the Indiana State Fair and their participation in the Indiana Conservation Alliance’s conservation day at the Indiana Statehouse which promoted water resource conservation.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Dr. Andy J. Danylchuk, an Associate Professor of Fish Conservation at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, received the award for Excellence in Public Outreach today at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The award for Excellence in Public Outreach is presented to an AFS member who goes the “extra mile” in sharing the value of fisheries science/research with the general public through the popular media and other communication channels. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. Danylchuk and thank him for his continuous efforts to share the value of fisheries science and research,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Dr. Danylchuk is the Scientific Advisor for the KeepEmWet Fishing initiative (https://www.keepemwet.org), where he has been working with vast networks of recreational anglers, as well as industry and media partners, to effectively communicate best practice guidelines for catch-and-release.  He is also the co-chair of the science and policy committee of the American Fly Fishing Trade Association. Dr. Danylchuk has made three documentary films that have all been finalists in the prestigious BLUE Ocean Film Festival. Some of his films have also been distributed on PBS, and are available on various platforms for educators and the general public. His second film, Raising Shrimp, had its Canadian Premiere at the 2015 AFS annual meeting in Quebec City. Dr. Danylchuk frequently writes articles for conventional popular media outlets and blog posts that are widely shared, especially within the recreational fisheries community. He is also an ambassador for several recreational fishing companies, including Patagonia.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – The Oregon AFS Chapter received the award for Outstanding AFS Large Chapter at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Best Unit Awards recognize outstanding professionalism, active resource protection and enhancement programs, and commitment to the mission of the Society. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of the Oregon Chapter and thank them for their continuous conservation efforts,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. The Oregon Chapter specifically recognized for their extensive activities and programs in many areas relating the AFS Strategic Plan. Particularly noteworthy was their involvement in commenting on state legislative bills and for fostering activities that have attracted and maintained a very diverse membership base which includes a large number of private firms and nongovernmental organizations.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected] (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – The University of Maine Student Subunit was selected as the 2017 Outstanding AFS Student Subunit at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Best Unit Awards recognize outstanding professionalism, active resource protection and enhancement programs, and commitment to the mission of the Society. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of the University of Maine Student Subunit and thank them for their continuous outreach and education efforts,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. The University of Maine Student Subunit is a part of the Atlantic International Chapter. They were specifically recognized for their extensive outreach and education program. The committee noted that they hosted or cohosted five seminars, three workshops published seven papers, and gave 19 oral or poster presentations.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Megan Winton of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth was named a runner-up for the Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. In honor of Steven Berkeley’s contributions to marine ecology, conservation biology, and fisheries science, the Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student actively engaged in thesis research relevant to marine conservation. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Megan Winton and thank her for her continuous efforts to research marine conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Megan is developing geostatistical methods to incorporate electronic tagging data into population assessments for white sharks, enabling improved estimates of abundance.     # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Brendan Runde of North Carolina State University received the Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. In honor of Steven Berkeley’s contributions to marine ecology, conservation biology, and fisheries science, the Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship is awarded to a graduate student actively engaged in thesis research relevant to marine conservation. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Brendan Runde and thank him for his continuous efforts to research marine conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Brendan is a PhD student in Dr. Jeffrey Buckel’s laboratory at NC State. He received his B.S. from Virginia Tech (2013) and his M.S. from NC State (2017). Brendan’s research focuses on estimating and reducing bycatch mortality in reef fish.  He is examining the efficacy of marine protected areas for enhancing fish populations and conducting experiments testing the survival of deepwater groupers returned to capture depths with descender devices.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Shannon White, a PhD student in the lab of Dr. Tyler Wagner of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Pennsylvania State University, received the award for the Student Writing Contest at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The Student Writing Contest Award is presented to the student whose paper displays the highest quality and ability to turn a scientific research topic into a paper for the general public. “We applaud this distinguished contribution of Shannon White and thank her for her efforts to research fishery topics,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Shannon is using telemetry and genetics to explore her research question of: “why do some trout travel miles and miles, while others never leave home?” Her paper, “In Brook Trout, Sometimes the Risk is Worth the Reward”, explored this question and individual variation in brook trout behavior. Shannon has a masters degree from Virginia Tech and is currently supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.     # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Dr. James B. Reynolds received the William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award at the 2017 American Fisheries Society (AFS) Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida. AFS President Joe Margraf presented the award at the meeting’s plenary session. The William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award recognizes singular accomplishments or long-term contributions that advance aquatic resource conservation at a national or international level. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. James B. Reynolds and thank him for his continuous efforts to advance aquatic resource conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Dr. Reynolds has been a strong leader in fisheries and natural resources conservation throughout his career.  After receiving his Ph.D. in Fishery Biology from Iowa State University in 1966 he worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a fishery biologist in Michigan and then became the Assistant Unit Leader for the Missouri Cooperative Fishery Research Unit.  In 1999 he retired as Leader of the Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. He continues professional work as Professor Emeritus, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Dr. Reynolds is best known for his contributions to the science of electrofishing.  To date, he has been the instructor of 100+ electrofishing short courses to over 2500 professional biologists and has authored book chapters and numerous papers on electrofishing theory and practice.   # # # Editor’s Notes:   Links: (fisheries.org)   About AFS: 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.