MEETINGS

Save with LACFC Early Registration

The Latin America and Caribbean Fisheries Congress is shaping up to be an exciting event, with more than 300 abstracts submitted from 29 countries. The vast majority of presentations will be in-person. Check out the recently announced plenary speakers and all of the training workshops. Early registration rates end on April 1, so register now to save! Some faculty travel awards are also now available.

Prime exhibit booth locations and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Abstract Submission Now Open for Annual Meeting in Grand Rapids

Abstract submission is now open for the 153rd Annual Meeting, August 20-24, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This year’s theme is “Adaptive approaches to understand and manage changes in fisheries." Browse the 45 symposium topics and submit your abstract by April 14.

2024 World Fisheries Congress Abstract Submission Now Open

Abstract submission for the 9th World Fisheries Congress is now open! Submit your abstract to participate in one of more than 60 themed sessions available at the 2024 World Fisheries Congress in Seattle, Washington, USA. Abstracts are due by June 30, 2023.

SCIENCE

Special Section: Invasive Carp Early Life History

Invasive carp are a pervasive threat to the inland rivers of the United States and their control and management depend on understanding their reproductive and recruitment success in our waterways. This management requires up-to-date information on cues and behaviors responsible for their success at early life stages in order to apply management actions, such as hydrologic manipulation, examining the ability to enhance native predators to regulate populations, implementation of deterrent strategies at strategic pinch points at the invasion front, or enhanced removal techniques. This special section on invasive carp early life history and reproduction in Midwestern rivers contributes information to aid in their management throughout the invaded range.

Assessing Antipredator Behavior and the Potential to Enhance It in a Species of Conservation Concern

Arkansas Darters are a species of conservation concern impacted by nonnative esocid predators. Arkansas Darters demonstrated some innate ability to recognize and respond to a novel esocid predator and also responded to predator cues (training). Populations differed in their response to the predator treatment, highlighting the value of managing populations separately. To our knowledge, our study is the first to investigate the potential to enhance antipredator behavior in Arkansas Darters. This study demonstrates the importance of testing enrichment practices and incorporating behavioral observations into conservation programs to guide population-specific management decisions.

FISHERIES

Perspectives from Fisheries Social Scientists: Mixed Methods as a DEIJ Tool

Inclusion of marginalized voices within fisheries science must occur both within research itself and within our research institutions. Mixed methods are one key tool towards diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) within fisheries research and institutions. Mixed methods, qualitative methods in particular, provide individuals a chance to tell their story. When people of underrepresented backgrounds are not given an opportunity to share their experiences, then their voices are left out of important conversations, decision-making processes, and limit the research questions we are able to pursue.

Overlooked Invaders? Ecological Impacts of Non-Game, Native Transplant Fishes in the United States

Nonnative fishes can cause ecological impacts as invasive species, but identifying which nonnative species have harmful impacts is critical to prioritizing management and policy responses. Here, the authors characterize the state of knowledge on the impacts of a possibly overlooked group of invasive species in the United States: non-game native transplant fishes.

POLICY

AFS Urges Congress to Keep 2023 Waters of the US Rule in Place

AFS urged Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper to vote against S.J. Res. 7, the joint resolution of disapproval seeking to invalidate the Biden Administration’s 2023 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The letter noted that, "Invalidating the 2023 rule in an attempt to return to the very limited protections in the 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule threatens highly valued fish, fisheries, ecosystem services, and the communities that rely on them."

AFS Calls for USGS Streamgage Funding Boost

AFS recently joined almost 100 conservation, outdoor recreation, engineering, and water organizations in calling for full funding of the U.S. Geological Service’s Streamgage Network. This request consists of $32 million dedicated to Federal Priorities Streamgages, $68 million for the Cooperative Matching Funds Program (including $33 million for streamgage support), and $35 million for Next Generation Water Observing System and data delivery modernization.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nominations for 2023 Awards Due April 1

Check out our new awards nomination system, now open for 2023 nominations! The new awards nomination process addresses
.past inconsistencies and submission barriers to increase nominations, decrease the amount of effort it takes to make a nomination, and shine well-deserved light on the incredible work being done by AFS members and others in the aquatics realm. Awards are available for conservation, scientific merit, and service. Numerous travel awards for the AFS Annual Meeting as well as scholarships and fellowships are also available. Most award nominations are due on April 1.

2023 Officer Election Opening Soon

Current AFS members should check their email next week for voting instructions for this year's officer election. Candidate statements for Margaret Murphy and Patrick Shirey are available on the AFS website and in Fisheries magazine.

Don’t Let Your Membership Lapse!

Thank you to all members who have renewed their membership for 2023. We truly appreciate your support of AFS, and we are looking forward to serving you for another exciting year in fisheries. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership, please log in to your account and do so today. AFS provides innumerable tools and resources for fisheries professionals – to do this we need membership support from the entire fisheries community. Plus, we don’t want you to miss out on your benefits. For questions, contact [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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