Category: Symposia

Description: Understanding movement patterns, migrations, and connectivity of highly migratory species (HMS) is challenging given many species cross multiple jurisdictional boundaries, ecosystems, and habitats. This session will focus on studies using diverse methodologies to better understand movement and migration patterns, habitat use, and population connectivity of highly migratory fish species.

Supported by: Gulf Research Institute for Highly Migratory Species (GRiHMS)

Session Organizers: David Wells, Texas A&M University at Galveston; Marcus Drymon, Mississippi State University

Session Contact: David Wells, [email protected]

Description: Offshore wind development is advancing in the U.S. and globally. A growing body of science is examining how wind development interacts with marine ecosystems. Talks will address interactions between offshore wind, fish, and commercial and recreational fisheries.  The symposium concludes with an open discussion to share knowledge and lessons learned.

Supported by: Responsible Offshore Science Alliance, Tetra Tech, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, NOAA Fisheries, The Nature Conservancy, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

Session Organizers: Mike Pol, Responsible Offshore Science Alliance; Brian Dresser, Tetra Tech, Inc.; Ursula Howson, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; Brendan Runde, The Nature Conservancy; andy lipsky, NOAA- Fisheries; Elizabeth Methratta, NOAA NMFS NEFSC; Morgan Brunbauer, NYSERDA; Fiona Hogan, Responsible Offshore Development Alliance; Angela Silva, National Marine Fisheries Service

Session Contact: Mike Pol, [email protected]

Description: Labeo rohita (Rohu) is an economically important species cultured under carp  polyculture systems in Asia. The present study explores the genetic diversity, phylogeography, and population structure of  L. rohita from different countries using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene.

Supported by: SERB, Government Of India, DST, GOI

Session Organizers: Ram Negi, University of Delhi, Delhi

Session Contact: Ram Negi, [email protected]

Description: Fisheries offer diverse benefits, including food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and cultural identity. While often seen as leisure, recreational fisheries in high-income countries contribute to nutrition, informal economies, and wellbeing. This session explores the blurred boundaries between subsistence, recreational, and commercial fisheries, highlighting global perspectives on recreational fisheries’ diverse contributions.

Supported by: Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Great Lakes Fishery Trust

Session Organizers: Vivian Nguyen, Carleton University

Session Contact: Vivian Nguyen, [email protected]

Description: History is written every day.  This symposium explores lessons from fisheries history to address current challenges. Presenters are invited to share stories that connect past knowledge or data with present issues, offering guidance and inspiration. Special consideration will be given to abstracts directly applying historical insights to contemporary problems.

Supported by: Fisheries History Section

Session Organizers: Jeff Jolley, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Apria Valenza, UNC – Wilmington; Justin Spaulding, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Gary Whelan, MI Dept of Natural Resources Fisheries Division – Retired

Session Contact: Jeff Jolley, [email protected]

Description: Ecosystems are frequently ravaged by extreme natural events like hurricanes, flooding, drought, and wildfires. We invite researchers to present successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science during emotionally charged and extreme events (full presentations or lightning talk format). Training will be provided to improve communication skills through emotionally-charged events.

Supported by: AFS Climate Committee, AFS Science Communication Section

Session Organizers: Corinne Burns, Leading Solutions LLC in support of NOAA Fisheries; Holly Embke, U.S. Geological Survey, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center; Kerry Flaherty-Walia, Tampa Bay Estuary Program; Danielle Frechette, Maine Department of Marine Resources; Abigail Lynch, U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center

Session Contact: Corinne Burns, [email protected]

Description: Research in shellfish fisheries science is advancing data collection on environmental and biological conditions, particularly regarding climate change impacts. This session emphasizes the use of numerical models to understand trends and their effects on fisheries, encouraging sustainable management practices. Abstracts addressing climate change’s influence on fisheries are welcomed.

Session Organizers: Emma Coltman, University of Southern Mississippi; Molly Spencer, University of Southern Mississippi; Autumn Moya, University of Southern Mississippi; Tamara Kramer, University of Southern Mississippi; Eric Powell, University of Southern Mississippi

Session Contact: Emma Coltman, [email protected]

Description: This session seeks to reevaluate the conventional wisdom that temperature governs fish and fisheries. Talks in this session will highlight surprising or counterintuitive effects of temperature in fisheries science, and the influence of other variables that may supersede, modify, or interact with the influence of temperature in a changing climate.

Supported by: Adirondack Fishery Research Program, Cornell Biological Field Station, National Park Foundation

Session Organizers: Connor Reeve, Cornell University; Tommy Detmer, Cornell University; Zoe Almeida, Cornell University; Gregory Jacobs, Cornell University

Session Contact: Connor Reeve, [email protected]

Description: Enjoy story time with a reading of the illustrated book Blindcat and Tadpole, a children’s story of a tadpole who finds himself lost in a karst aquifer, where he encounters a Mexican Blindcat. There are three unique species of blindcats found in Texas, to include the Mexican Blindcat.

Supported by: Texas A&M Press, Dr. Hendrickson and the UT Department of Integrative Biology

Session Organizers: Lisa Johansson, Texas A&M Press, Blindcat Books; Dean Hendrickson, University of Texas at Austin

Session Contact: Lisa Johansson, [email protected]

Description: This session will explore the critical issue of cooling water demand in the energy sector, focusing on thermal ecology, regulatory perspectives, and innovative solutions. Presentations will cover cutting-edge research, case studies, and emerging technologies, providing a comprehensive view of managing thermal discharges amid rising ambient water temperatures.

Supported by: Bioengineering Section of AFS

Session Organizers: Jonathan Black, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI); Douglas Bradley, EPRI; Dan Giza, ASA Analysis & Communication, Inc; Christopher Gurshin, ASA Analysis & Communication, Inc.; Ron Heun, PSEG; Andrew Weinstock, New York Power Authority

Session Contact: Jonathan Black, [email protected]