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MEETINGS

Deadline Extended for Call for Sessions for Latin America and Caribbean Fisheries Congress

Symposium proposal submission has been extended until October 31 for the Latin America and Caribbean Fisheries Congress, to be held in Cancun, Mexico, in May 2023. Proposals for innovative sessions and educational workshops are also due on that date. Registration rates are now posted.

9th World Fisheries Congress

The International Program Committee is pleased to invite proposals for sessions for the 9th World Fisheries Congress, March 3-9, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. We encourage session proposals related to the meeting’s theme, Fish and Fisheries at the Water–Energy–Food Nexus, as well as any other timely and coherent subjects of broad interest to fisheries professionals. Session types include symposia, workshops, and non-traditional innovative formats intended to exchange information related to the meeting themes. We encourage session proposals that help support the World Fisheries Congress’s commitment to diverse representation across multiple elements of inclusivity (e.g., age, culture, discipline, geography, gender). Proposals are due December 2.

POLICY

Waters of the US before Supreme Court Again

On October 3, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Sackett v. EPA, a long-running dispute regarding whether certain streams and wetlands are “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) subject to protection under the Clean Water Act (CWA). AFS and other science societies filed an amicus brief in the case. A recording and transcript of the oral arguments are available online and decision is expected in spring 2023.

Policy Director Drue Winters on The Fisheries Podcast

Drue Winters, AFS Policy Director, spoke with The Fisheries Podcast about her career path, the place of policy in addressing environmental disasters, and about current legislation relevant to fisheries professionals.

SCIENCE

Suppression of Invasive Fish in the West: Synthesis and Suggestions for Improvement

In an effort to improve management of invasive fish in the western United States, the authors of this study—part of a forthcoming journal special section—review existing literature to identify the steps necessary to effectively suppress these species. Specifically, they provide guidance on defining achievable objectives, assessing feasibility, evaluating success, and improving the efficiency of invasive fish suppression. This iterative approach provides managers with a framework to effectively address the challenge of suppressing invasive fish in the western United States.

Effect of Hull Cleaning on Electrical Resistance and Anodic Fields of Direct-Current Electrofishing Boats

After publication of Standard Methods for Sampling Freshwater Fishes by the American Fisheries Society, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources incorporated these standards into its procedures. Literature and references about maintaining electrofishing equipment were lacking. One aspect of equipment maintenance is hull cleanliness when the hull is metal and serves as the cathode. The cathode affects system resistance and overall performance of the electrofishing equipment.

World Rivers Day Virtual Journal Issue

Celebrate World Rivers Day 2022 with our virtual collection of journal articles (free access) highlighting just a few of the ways in which fisheries scientists and managers are working to understand these vital and unique ecosystems.

FISHERIES

Conserving Rockfishes: Barotrauma and Descending Devices in the Northeast Pacific

This Photo Diary looks at the use of deepwater release mechanisms (DRMs) in Pacific rockfish Sebastes spp. In recent years, DRMs such as descending devices are becoming more widely used in the recreational angling community as a method of recompressing rockfishes and increasing survival rates following capture and release.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like #25DaysofFishmas: Communicating Freshwater Biodiversity Using Social Media

As audiences increasingly turn to social media platforms for information about the environment, scientists can use a variety of techniques to engage with the public in meaningful and productive dialogues about “wicked” ecological problems such as the loss of global freshwater biodiversity.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Webinar: The Future of Fish and Flows

Register now for our next webinar on October 13 at 1 pm EDT, featuring three speakers from a symposium the Annual Meeting in Spokane: Peter Graf from the Grant County (Washington) Public Utility District, Katie Kennedy of the The Nature Conservancy, and Brenda Pracheil from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Free for members and $25 for non-members.

Have an idea for a webinar? AFS wants to hear from you! Submit ideas for future webinars or contact Lauren Maza with questions or suggestions at [email protected].

In Memoriam: AFS Past President Lee Redmond

AFS Past President Lee Charles Redmond, of Lohman, Missouri, passed away at the age of 83 on September 20. He worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation for 37 years until his retirement in 2000. He was widely recognized as an expert in the art and science of warmwater fisheries management. Redmond served as AFS President in 1994-1995, just one of his many contributions to the Society.

New Video of Spokane Tribe Fish Release

AFS Meetings & Program Coordinator Steve Kambouris filmed and produced an amazing video of the Spokane Tribe Chinook Salmon release during this year's Annual Meeting.

Last Chance to Share Your Opinions!

AFS reopened the Membership Survey—take this opportunity to share your opinions! Let us know how AFS could better serve you. We want to hear from all experience levels of membership—from tenured fisheries professionals who have been members for more than 20 years to those just starting out who joined only a year ago.

The survey will be closing soon! Please fill out the 2022 Membership Engagement and Satisfaction Survey (or Non-member Survey) that applies to you by October 10. Your feedback is important and will help guide AFS leadership and staff as we make strategic program decisions.

All participants can enter a drawing for your choice of a free AFS book or a $50 Amazon gift card using a separate Google form. For questions, contact Membership Manager Kelly Kotche at [email protected].

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
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