summer newsletter header (1)

ANNUAL MEETING

Early Registration Deadline Extended

In response to several requests for more time to finalize travel approvals, in-person early bird registration rates for the Annual Meeting in Spokane have been extended until Friday, July 15. AFS members can save even more on registration, but should complete their membership application or renewal by July 14 to allow for sufficient processing time prior to registration.

OFFICER ELECTION

Gary Whelan Elected Second Vice President

Gary Whelan, Program Manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, was elected Second Vice President of the American Fisheries Society in this year's officer election. This vote will make Whelan the 141st president of AFS in 2025-2026.

POLICY

Bristol Bay Comment Period Extended

On May 26th, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced revised proposed Clean Water Act protections
for Bristol Bay that, if finalized, would prohibit mine waste discharge into Bristol Bay watersheds. Public comments are now being accepted until September 6.

AFS recommends that the EPA use its authority under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to preemptively limit large scale mining in Alaska’s Bristol Bay due to unacceptable adverse effects on anadromous fish. Bristol Bay supports prolific, sustainable, all-wild salmon fisheries. Large-scale mining in the watershed would cause irreversible impacts to this pristine habitat and the valuable fisheries it supports. Take action today and let EPA know you support the agency’s proposed use of its 404(c) authority to protect Bristol Bay and its extraordinarily important and valuable fisheries.

SCIENCE

Baseline Health and Nutritional Parameters of Wild Sand Tiger Sharks

This featured article provides much needed baseline data to manage the health and nutrition of captive populations, especially in light of unique health challenges faced by aquarium Sand Tiger Sharks (e.g., high prevalence of spinal deformity) and the challenges in achieving successful captive breeding. Physiological markers measured in blood samples taken from wild Sand Tiger Sharks can provide important information on the health and nutrition of aquarium-held animals by offering much needed baseline markers or reference values.

Ghost Fishing by Abandoned Trotlines in a Simulated and Actual Reservoir

This paper is a first-of-its-kind, in that it tests how abandoned, lost, or discarded trotlines (a passive gear used for centuries throughout the world both in fresh and marine waters) can ghost fish. Ghost fishing is a hot topic in marine environments that focuses on abandoned, lost or discarded nets and traps. This paper answers an age-old question - If abandoned trotlines catch fish and if so, for how long?

FISHERIES

Latin American and Caribbean Fisheries Congress to Convene Fisheries Professionals from Underrepresented Regions

Fisheries professionals from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean will gather in Cancun, Mexico, on May 15–18, 2023 for the inaugural Latin American and Caribbean Fisheries Congress. The event aims to demonstrate the incredible volume of high-quality fish science being conducted throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. This science will be front and center.

A Review of Recovery Plan Criteria for Threatened and Endangered Fish Taxa Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This paper reviewed recovery plans for fish listed under the Endangered Species Act, and managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service, to determine how many meet the requirements for delisting, which include: threats to habitat or range, whether or not a species is subject to overutilization, presence of disease, existence of regulatory mechanisms outside of federal protection (i.e., the states), and if there are other natural or anthropogenic factors impacting continued existence.

ANNUAL MEETING

Climate Communications Training Track

Communication with stakeholders and policymakers has long been a crucial skill for fisheries professionals. However, in this era of growing science skepticism, communicating the impacts of climate change on fisheries resources requires employing proven approaches that connect with audiences on a deeper level and inspire respectful dialog, while conveying the need for urgent action. This intensive new training track includes online sessions before and after the Spokane Annual Meeting, along with workshops and symposia on-site in Spokane. Registration includes in-person meeting registration for Spokane and a limited number of scholarships are available for individuals from underrepresented groups.

Continuing Education Courses

Build your career skills and join AFS in Spokane on Saturday and Sunday before the Annual Meeting for a continuing education course! Spokane attendees may register through the meeting registration site and can add courses even if already registered for the meeting.

Can’t make it to Spokane? Join us for two virtual CE courses! Non-attendees register via the links below:
  • Sunday, August 21, 8 am – 5 pm: Introduction to Instream and Insalmo, Salmonid Models for Instream Flow and Temperature Assessment and Habitat Restoration Design - Register here
  • Sunday, August 21, 8 am – 12 pm: Quick Start to Mastering Online Meetings - Easy Ways to Improve Virtual Meetings - Register here

Infrastructure Workshop

Join us in Spokane for a special workshop on Tuesday afternoon on the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which represents an unprecedented investment in the protection and restoration of habitats that support aquatic species. The workshop will include breakout groups and report out discussion to share feedback and identify future needs and mechanisms for communication, collaboration, and coordination of project funding through the IIJA/BIL.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Hutton Funding Challenge

The 2022 Hutton Program has four students working with U.S. Forest Service biologists, including Norah, shown here working with USFS in Oxford, Mississippi, studying crayfish and mussels. Over the past 21 years, the USFS has supported and mentored many of our Hutton Scholars through these inspiring summer internships and we can't thank them enough for their support!

This year, the Hutton Program is launching the 3rd Annual Hutton Funding Challenge. Our goal is to raise $5,000 for the Hutton Program between June 16th to August 11th. This would allow us to fund an additional student next summer!

Adelman-Bigford Science Policy Fund

The new "Ira Adelman and Tom Bigford Endowment to Support Science Informed Decisions in Fisheries Policy" was recently initiated by a $100,000 legacy donation by the family of Dr. Ira Adelman (AFS President 2003-2004). A particularly important role for AFS was defined by Dr. Adelman as the use of science by decision-makers to make informed policy decisions. In a similar manner, Tom Bigford, after completing a highly successful career at NOAA and as an AFS volunteer, become the AFS Policy Director and redefined our role in conveying science to decision-makers and established AFS as a respected and reliable source of science and fisheries information. The main purpose of the endowment is to provide support for human capital to carry forward AFS activities in support of conveying fisheries science to policy-makers. This can be in the form of interns, fellows or, if funds allow, permanent staff. Please look for information on how you can contribute to this fund in coming months.

New Pacific Islands Chapter

At its June meeting, the AFS Management Committee approved formation of a new Pacific Islands Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. The Chapter is a reinstatement of the former Hawaii Chapter and it will host the 2024 AFS Annual Meeting in Honolulu. Please look for information on how to join this Chapter with your membership renewal notice this fall.

We Want to Hear from You!

AFS is asking both member and non-members to take a brief survey. Please make a 10-15-minute investment of your time to share your thoughts and opinions about your membership and how AFS can better serve you, the membership at large, and the fisheries science profession. Your feedback is important to us and will help guide AFS leadership and staff making strategic decisions about current and future programs. All respondents can enter a drawing for your choice of a free AFS book or a $50 Amazon gift card using a separate Google form.

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
facebook twitter linkedin instagram