Annual Meeting

  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.    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 23, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 23, 2017 – Samantha Wilson of the University of British Columbia received the J. Frances Allen Scholarship 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. This award is given annually to a female Society Member and doctoral candidate who is conducting aquatic research, with emphasis placed on research promise, scientific merit, and academic achievement. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Samantha Wilson and thank her for her continuous efforts to advance aquatic research,” AFS President Joe Margraf. Samantha’s diverse research is focused on understanding the sensitivity of juvenile salmon to climate mismatches. She aims to understand the implications of this on survival and abundance in the context of changing ocean conditions.     # # # 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 – Lee Benaka, of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology, received the Distinguished Service 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 Distinguished Service Award recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members. “We applaud the distinguished service of Lee Benaka and thank him for his continuous efforts to enhance member experiences with AFS,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Lee currently works with the NOAA Fisheries National Observer Program at the NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology. For almost 15 years, Lee has specialized in the coordination of conservation engineering and bycatch estimation efforts. Lee has worked with the NOAA Fisheries since 1999 when he was hired to help administer the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program. From there, Lee worked in the NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries as a Fishery Management Specialist for 11 years, and began working with the National Observer Program in 2013. Lee has served as President of the Potomac Chapter of the AFS from 2000 to 2002 and President of the AFS Estuaries Section in 2000 and also 2011 to 2013.  He has also served as Treasurer of the AFS Marine Fisheries Section and the Potomac Chapter of the AFS. In 1997, Lee was selected as the first-ever Sea Grant Fellow with the American Fisheries Service. During his Fellowship, Lee organized a two-day symposium held at AFS’s 1998 Annual Meeting and also edited an AFS book based on the symposium, Fish Habitat: Essential Fish Habitat and Rehabilitation (1999). For the past few years, Lee has served as a judge for the AFS Best Paper Award for Marine and Coastal Fisheries. Since 1998, he has organized numerous AFS symposia.   # # # 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 – Sara Schaal of Northeastern University 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 Sara Schaal and thank her for her continuous efforts to research marine conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Sara is testing for a genomic basis underlying contrasting behaviors in Atlantic cod, with implications for spatial closures and unanticipated selection of a resident versus migratory ecotype.   # # # 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 – West Palm Beach Fishing Club received the President’s Fishery 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 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 the West Palm Beach Fishing Club and thank them for their continuous efforts to advance aquatic resource conservation,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Development and promotion of the red release pennant in the late 1930’s signifying a caught and released sailfish is among the WPBFC’s most significant contributions to billfish conservation.  The red release pennant helped launch the catch & release ethic for pelagic fish and continues to be used today by anglers fishing around the world.  The first officially permitted artificial reef in Florida, the East Palm Beach Reef, was established by the club in the 1960’s.  The organization remains actively engaged in marine and estuarine habitat enhancement efforts.  Other prominent conservation efforts through the years have included opposition to the Cross State Barge Canal, support of the federal Wild and Scenic River designation for the headwaters of the Loxahatchee River and advocating for the sustainable management of many varieties of fish including largemouth bass, snook, redfish, sailfish and swordfish. Today the Club is an organization with over 1,300 members that promotes strong conservation ethics far beyond the Palm Beaches. Its close and long associations with the scientific community, plus other conservation organizations such as Wild Oceans (formerly National Coalition for Marine Conservation), The Billfish Foundation and the Coastal Conservation Association demonstrate unrivaled commitment. # # # 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 22, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 22, 2017 – Dr. Lisa Eby, Associate Professor of Aquatic Vertebrate Ecology at the University of Montana, received the award for Excellence in Fisheries Education 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 Excellence in Fisheries Education award recognizes excellence in organized teaching and advising in the field of fisheries. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. Eby and thank her for her continuous efforts to share the value of fisheries through teaching,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Since her arrival at the University of Montana in 2002, Dr. Eby has been the foundation of the fisheries program. She has instructed over 400 undergraduates and guided dozens of students into aquatic-focused graduate programs across the nation. Previously, Dr. Eby has received the University of Montana’s school-wide Outstanding Faculty Advising Award for excellence in undergraduate advising, and the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Educator of the Year award. Beyond her commitment to ensuring the success of her own students, Dr. Eby has also supported the broader experience of all students in the Wildlife Biology Program at the University of Montana. She provides guidance to any student upon request, even if she is not on that student’s graduate committee. Dr. Eby has also served as resource for students dealing with harassment and discrimination issues, and has worked to ensure that the Wildlife Program is never a source of these problems.   # # # 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 22, 2017   Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 22, 2017 – Hannibal Bolton received the Emmeline Moore Prize 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 Emmeline Moore Prize recognizes the efforts of an individual Society member who has demonstrated exemplary service to the cause of equal opportunity of access to higher education in fisheries and/or professional development in any of the disciplines of fisheries science or management. The award is named for Emmeline Moore, the first female President of the Society, who served from 1927 to 1928. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Hannibal Bolton and thank him for his service to the fisheries profession,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Hannibal dedicated his 45-year career in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to leadership in fisheries management and increasing diversity in the fisheries field. Hannibal successfully recruited a generation of African Americans to leadership positions in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, including Dr. Mamie Parker, recipient of last year’s Emmeline Moore Prize. As president of the endowment fund for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff and advisor to the school’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Program, he recruited dozens of African American students into private, State, and Federal fisheries programs. In fisheries management, the list of Hannibal’s leadership is expansive. He led in the creation of the National Fish Passage Program, one of the first programs in the federal government to target removal of barriers to fish passage. Hannibal also co-founded the National Fish Habitat Partnership and led in the establishment of successful partnerships. In 2003, Hannibal’s leadership was acknowledged by AFS through his induction into the Fisheries Management Hall of Fame. # # # Editor’s Notes:   AFS Awards page: 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 21, 2017 Contact: Martha Wilson Tel.202.445.9514 [email protected]   (Tampa, FL) August 21, 2017 – Dr. John Waldman, a lifetime AFS member, received the Carl R. Sullivan Fishery 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. Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award, also known as the “Sully,” is presented to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the conservation of fishery resources that may be political, legal, educational, scientific, or managerial in scope. “We applaud the distinguished contributions of Dr. Waldman and thank him for his continuous efforts to further the conservation of fishery resources,” said AFS President Joe Margraf. Dr. Waldman has contributed over 95 scholarly publications, books, and book chapters. He has communicated fisheries science to the public through over 60 popular articles and books. Dr. Waldman has dedicated his career to an integrated management, research, teaching, and administration program designed to conserve diadromous fish, manage fishes of the Hudson River and Atlantic coast, and promote scientist-nonscientist outreach that communicates the value of fisheries to the public. Currently a Professor in the Biology Department at Queens College, New York, Dr. Waldman has made substantial scientific contributions to diadromous fish conservation by identifying solutions to stock identification problems. Throughout his career, Dr. Waldman has been particularly interested in intraspecific variation at the population level, viewing the science of stock identification as the crossroads between evolutionary biology and fisheries science. Dr. Waldman co-convened two landmark symposia on anadromous fishes and was the lead author on an influential and innovative 2016 Fisheries paper that developed how resilience theory could provide new answers to persistent, unsolved diadromous fisheries problems. In addition, Dr. Waldman’s conservation research included a widely cited 2009 Bioscience publication on the status of North Atlantic diadromous fishes. Dr. Waldman’s continued his commitment to environmental history and historical ecology by writing a comprehensive history of diadromous fish along the Atlantic Coast entitled Running Silver: Restoring Atlantic Rivers and their Great Fish Migrations. To complete the work, Dr. Waldman won a prestigious Bellagio Fellowship from the Rockefeller Foundation. He has given numerous presentations on rivers and fish migrations, including keynote talks at Fish Passage 2016: International Conference on River Connectivity. Recently Dr. Waldman obtained funding for an innovative approach to river restoration, termed the “Shared Rivers Concept,” which integrates conservation of diadromous fish, dam removal, and alternative electricity generation.     # # # 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.