Category: Symposia

Description: This symposium explores how mobile estuarine-dependent species connect ecosystems across the river-to-sea continuum. Focusing on actionable science, we examine migration, trophic linkages, larval dispersal, and evolutionary processes, highlighting interdisciplinary approaches and successful management strategies to inform conservation and policy in the face of climate change and other anthropogenic pressures.

Supported by: American Fisheries Society (AFS) Estuaries Section and AFS Fisheries Management Section

Session Organizers: Daniel Coffey, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi; Benjamin Walther, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi; Zachary Olsen, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Session Contact: Daniel Coffey, [email protected]

Description: This session aims to bridge fisheries management and captive propagation practitioners. We invite a broad scope of talks highlighting emerging challenges and innovative technologies or techniques including processes, protocols and decision-making that ensure conservation outcomes are enhanced through conservation aquaculture efforts.

Supported by: AFS Fish Culture Section, USFWS

Session Organizers: Jennifer Gumm, USFWS; Taylor Lipscomb, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Nate Wilke

Session Contact: Jennifer Gumm, [email protected]

Description: Conservation Genomics is a burgeoning field due to the rapid evolution and recent advancements of ‘omics’ technologies. This symposium highlights the cutting edge of genomics research in fisheries and aquatic sciences by profiling the current research of graduate students and early career professionals.

Supported by: American Fisheries Society Genetics Section

Session Organizers: Mary Peacock, University of Nevada Reno; Jared Homola, Michigan State University; Samantha Straus, Michigan State University

Session Contact: Mary Peacock, [email protected]

Description: The American Fisheries Society (AFS) fosters collaboration, preserves knowledge, and links the past and present in fisheries science. This symposium highlights the intersection of history, innovation, and mentorship in fisheries management and explores how past lessons can inform future solutions. Presentations will inspire unity, dialogue, and progress in the field.

Supported by: FishCAST, EOS, North Central Division, FishCAST

Session Organizers: Maxwell Jasper Oubre, Fruits by the Fish; Kaylyn Zipp, University of Maine; Jory Jonas, Michigan DNR; Brittany Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Julie DeFilippi Simpson, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Session Contact: Maxwell Jasper Oubre, [email protected]

Description: This symposium will review recent advances, lessons learned and share success stories on the role of aquaculture and it’s the growth seen within the United States both in the freshwater and newly emerging marine environments.

Supported by: AFS Fish Culture Section, AFS Fish Health Section, USFWS AADAP Program

Session Organizers: Shane Ramee, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Matthew Wipf, USFWS; Paige Maskill, USFWS

Session Contact: Shane Ramee, [email protected]

Description: This session will focus on efforts that improve fish outcomes during hydropower development and operation

Supported by: Water Power Technologies Office, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Session Organizers: Kenneth Ham, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Session Contact: Kenneth Ham, [email protected]

Description: The loss of oxygen from aquatic systems is accelerating worldwide, with dramatic impacts on fish ecology, ecosystem function and fisheries sustainability.  This session explores the complex interactions of hypoxia and other stressors on fish physiology, behavior, ecosystem interactions and fisheries management across fresh, coastal and marine systems.

Supported by: AFS Estuaries Section, AFS Marine Fisheries Section

Session Organizers: Benjamin Walther, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi; Karin Limburg, SUNY-ESF; Anna Sturrock, University of Essex; Alexia Dubuc, University of Essex; Yvette Heimbrand, Dept of Aquatic Resources, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Session Contact: Benjamin Walther, [email protected]

Description: We invite talks overviewing past invasive species management and shifts in management methods. When decisions are made to accept presence, how can invasives be used in novel or beneficial ways? The Introduced and Invasive Species Section hopes to foster a discussion of the past and future of invasive species management.

Supported by: Introduced and Invasive Species Section

Session Organizers: Tanya Fendler, Southern Illinois University; Vanessa Salazar, Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks; Matea Djokic, University of California, Irvine; Hannah Mulligan, South Dakota State University; Alison Coulter, South Dakota State University; Nathaniel Lederman, Wisconsin DNR

Session Contact: Tanya Fendler, [email protected]

Description: The Clean Water Act supports a variety of designated uses, with fisheries being one of the most pronounced. Administrators of the Clean Water Act have an interest in identifying linkages between water quality management frameworks and techniques used  to manage fisheries for their commercial, recreational, and conservation values.

Session Organizers: Brian Alford, Stone Laboratory – Ohio St. Univ. & OH Sea Grant; Paul Kusnierz, Avista; Jill Jenkins, U.S. Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center; Binglei Gong, Four Peaks Environmental and Data Solutions; Gregg Lomnicky, CSS, Inc.; Jonathan Leiman, Oazis Accelerator and Venture Builder; Henriette Jager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Session Contact: Jonathan Leiman, [email protected]

Description: A suite of native fishes in the U.S. (buffalofishes, gars, etc.) have recently benefited through increases in awareness, appreciation, and scientific knowledge. Emergent fisheries render them de facto sport fishes, despite having legal status as “nongame”. This symposium will highlight positive social and conservation developments of these important native fishes.

Session Organizers: Jason D. Schooley, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Solomon David, University of Minnesota; Alec Lackmann, University of Minnesota Duluth; Dennis Scarnecchia, University of Idaho

Session Contact: Jason D. Schooley, [email protected]