News

Annual Meeting

Symposium Summary: For Species that Carry Dual Designations as Imperiled and Invasive: Can We Forge a Common Science Agenda across Regions, Authorities, and Agencies?

Scientists and administrators came together to open a national dialogue on the merit of forming a common agenda for addressing conservation and control of fish carrying dual designations as imperiled in their native range and invasive beyond. Presentations and rich discussion validated the need to establish fiscal and scientific efficiency in addressing both conservation and... Read More

Symposium Summary: Fishing Blind: Building a Case for the Development and Communication of Species-Specific Guidelines for Catch and Release

The Fishing Blind Symposium brought together 20 researchers and a packed audience to present and discuss the need for improved communication of recreational species-specific catch-and-release best practices. The full-day session focused on the status of species- and situation-specific catch-and-release practices in both well-established and emerging recreational fisheries around the world, angler understanding and adoption of... Read More

Symposium Summary: Ecology and Reproductive Biology of Hagfish

Hagfish belong to one of the most primitive classes of fish in the world, Agnatha. Although there is lots of information on the primitive nature of their physiology and biochemistry, little information exists about their reproductive biology and ecology. Two species along the west coast of North America, Pacific Hagfish (Eptatretus stoutii) and Black Hagfish... Read More

Symposium Summary: Developments in Low-cost Side-Scan Sonar Applications in Aquatic Research and Conservation

This year marked the 10th anniversary of recreational side-scan sonar—an inexpensive tool for imaging underwater environments in striking detail. The low cost of equipment, and the ability to process and overlay image data in a geographic information system (GIS) has led to groundbreaking developments in mapping, monitoring, and research of aquatic denizens. Through this original... Read More

Symposium Summary: Crossing the Divide: Promoting Cross-Disciplinary Discussion between Inland and Marine Fisheries for Improved Sustainability

While marine and inland fisheries are often studied and managed independently, there are actually many similarities. Recognizing and communicating the reasons for the similarities and differences between marine and inland fisheries can generate useful insights towards improving the management and sustainability of both fisheries. The presentations in this symposium highlighted science and management lessons that... Read More

Symposium Summary: Communication and Engagement in Fisheries Management: Working with Stakeholders to Achieve Sustainable Fisheries and Healthy Ecosystems

Science communication, in the form of outreach and engagement, is a frequently suggested approach for achieving fisheries conservation and human well-being goals. Communication is a dynamic process of sending, receiving, interpreting, and clarifying, and can support a variety of outcomes. This symposium emphasized the importance of goal setting and evaluation planning for communication initiatives that... Read More

Symposium Summary: Balancing Conservation and Utilization to Sustain Fisheries

Sponsor: The American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists (AIFRB) Building on a long series of sponsored symposia, the American Institute of Fisheries Research Biologists (AIFRB) convened a thought provoking symposium in Portland. This year’s topic focused on the need to balance conservation and utilization to achieve sustainable fisheries. The symposium started with the results of... Read More

Symposium Summary: What's New with Western Native Trout?

Sponsor: Western Native Trout Initiative “What’s New with Western Native Trout” was a one-and-a-half-day symposium, sponsored by the Western Native Trout Initiative (westernnativetrout.org), that focused on recent conservation and management actions benefitting western native trout through partnerships and cooperative efforts that result in improved species status, improved aquatic habitats, and improved recreational opportunities for anglers.... Read More