154th Annual Meeting

The MacGyvers are back by popular demand! Fisheries scientists are often successful in “MacGyvering” innovative solutions to a question or problem. They do this by inventing, building, or repurposing technology or analytical tools, especially when resources or tools are limited or absent. Over time, these innovative solutions created important breakthroughs and broadened research capabilities in our field. This symposium is a platform for the tinkerers, the inventers, and the repurposers – the “MacGyvers” of fisheries science – to showcase the successes and failures of their applications and processes, their ideas for further exploration, and the results of their research after their innovative solution was utilized.

We hope that presenters will spark further development, facilitate the adoption of useful tools, and inspire others to explore innovative problem solving for the present and future of conservation and management in fisheries science. “Brace yourself – this could be fun” – Angus MacGyver.

Supported by: AFS Data and Technology Section

Organizer: Chelsea Myles-Mcburney, Florida Fish and Wildlife, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Tiffany Hopper, Patrick Cooney, Jennifer Moran

Supported by: AFS Data and Technology Section

Fisheries targeting highly productive species can have profound impacts on co-occurring species also susceptible to capture that have long generation lengths, low fecundity and other life history traits that make them vulnerable to anthropogenic mortality. There has been increasing concern over the sustainability of bycatch mortality of marine megafauna given their vulnerability to exploitation, ecosystem-level cascading effects from declines in abundance and reduced population fitness from fisheries-induced evolution. There has also been increasing attention to risks from bycatch to food, nutrition and livelihood security. The session’s presentations and discussion will cover priority topics in fisheries bycatch science and policy.

Organizer: Eric Gilman, Fisheries Research Group, The Safina Center, [email protected]

Supported by: The Safina Center

Tropical ecosystems are distinctive and have high species richness and high rates of endemism, featuring interconnected terrestrial, fluvial, and coastal systems in close proximity. Streams serve as vital links, connecting these systems and facilitating the movement of aquatic organisms. The reliance on connectivities and habitats among these diverse systems underscores their integral role. Unfortunately, these unique tropical ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their unique habitat requirements and life history. This session seeks to unite researchers, practitioners, and managers with the goal of sharing and presenting recent advancements in understanding these ecosystems. The aim is to foster and build a community dedicated to collectively preparing and enhancing resilience in the face of challenges posed to this exceptional ecosystem.

Organizer: Yinphan Tsang, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Dana Infante, Jessica Miller, Ayron Strauch, Cody Chacon, Abigail Lynch

Supported by: AFS Marine Fisheries Section and Pacific Islands Chapter

Age is fundamental to population ecology and fisheries science. Age-structured stock assessments rely on accurate and precise estimates of age to estimate stock status and sustainable exploitation rates. Historically, age has been estimated by microscopic examination of growth zones in hard parts (e.g. – otoliths, scales, vertebrae) with the assumption that these counts correspond to annual or daily age. Recently, there has been a marked increase in research investigating alternative methods of age estimation and novel methods to quantify ageing imprecision and bias. Resulting improvements in time and/or cost efficiencies, as well as the potential for non-lethal approaches, may spur a paradigm shift in how age is estimated while advancements in validation serve to reduce the uncertainty inherent in that process. This session will focus on novel applications of age estimation and validation tools, alternative applications of these tools, modeling approaches, and the quantification of ageing error.

Organizer: Derek Chamberlin, NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Thomas Helser, Kristen Dahl

Supported by: NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center

Conservation and stewardship are integral to the practice of many small-scale fisheries, especially those with long-term connection and cultural tie to the fisheries. They often have deep and insightful knowledge about the ecosystem, and in many instances, have their own conservation measures through customary law and norms. Much can be learned about how small-scale fishers and their communities interact with the resources and their surroundings, and how the knowledge is transferred from one generation to the next. New awareness, and possibly new knowledge, may be necessary, however, given the changes in policy and regulations, social and economics, and climate and environment. With continued interests in large-scale development, in oceans and river systems, small-scale fisheries face eminent threats to their livelihoods and existence. Conservation policies and strategies need to respect traditional rights and access of small-scale fisheries, and the importance of moving together with them, rather than displacing them.

Organizer: Ratana Chuenpagdee, Memorial University, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Evan Andrews

Supported by: Too Big To Ignore Global Partnership for Small-Scale Fisheries, Ocean Frontier Institute Module I (Governance) 

Native freshwater nongame fishes are integral to aquatic ecosystems worldwide and provide ecological, cultural, and economic value. Despite the remarkable diversity of native freshwater fishes observed here (in Hawaii), there (where you work), and everywhere (in between), there are shared commonalities in many of the threats and challenges, importance, and management actions. In the ninth-annual native fishes symposium hosted by the Western Native Fishes Committee, this symposium aims explore topics including threats to native fishes and their conservation, innovative management approaches, and successful case studies of conservation. Ultimately, this symposium will highlight native freshwater nongame fishes research and management, providing a platform to share our comprehensive knowledge on these fishes, exchange this information and experience, and develop strategies to better protect and restore populations here, there, and everywhere.

Organizer: Timothy D’Amico, Idaho Department of Fish & Game; WDAFS Western Native Fishes Committee, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Luke Schultz, Skyler Hedden, Zachary Beard

Supported by: Western Division AFS Western Native Fishes Committee

Aquatic ecosystems evolved under watershed process regimes in connected drainage networks. Land cover type in catchments has long been recognized as being an important influence on these regimes. Aspects of aquatic habitat crucial to the persistence of native species have been shown to respond to natural vegetative land cover, including channel geomorphology, water quality, and sources of energy driving the ecosystem. However, management targets designating protective levels of natural cover at the catchment scale are rare in practice. This session explores the science supporting natural land cover targets protecting watershed processes and dependent native species. Focal questions: What are relative extents of native land cover that are necessary to protect watersheds? Does spatial configuration matter? What is the nature of the functional responses? We’ll discuss results to see if/how general conclusions apply. The goal is to inform conservation practitioners of current findings, timely during current State Wildlife Action Plan revisions.

Organizer: Mark Scott, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Brandon Peoples, Kevin Kubach, Rachel Moore, Clint Burton

Supported by: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Clemson University

Depending on where you live, Northern Pike (Esox lucius) may be a protected native species beloved by anglers or a notorious invasive requiring extensive resources for suppression, eradication, and prevention. In the Columbia River Basin, non-native Northern Pike pose a great threat to extensive investments made to protect ESA-listed salmon and steelhead. In Alaska, where Northern Pike are both a native species and an introduced invasive species in parts of the state, management can be particularly complex. Where invasive in Alaska, they have caused extirpations of numerous salmonid populations. Even in areas like Minnesota, where Northern Pike are native, management of the species can be tricky. This symposium will provide the latest information on Northern Pike biology with the aim of being beneficial to scientists, researchers, and fish and wildlife managers, whether working with invasive or native Northern Pike populations, or simply interested in learning more about this iconic species.

Organizer: Laura Robinson, [email protected]

Co-organizer: Kristine Dunker

Supported by: Upper Columbia United Tribes, Alaska Department of Fish & Game

U.S. offshore wind development is expected to create 30 gigawatts of generation capacity by 2030, requiring more than 2,000 turbines. Commercial-scale offshore wind activity in U.S. waters includes 29 lease areas in the Atlantic, five in the Pacific, and one in the Gulf of Mexico, with four projects already connected to the grid, and several others currently under construction. Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Central Atlantic, Gulf of Maine, and Oregon are under consideration for potential leasing, with additional WEAs anticipated on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in future years. Feasibility for offshore wind development in the Great Lakes and Hawaii is also being evaluated. This symposium will broadly address interactions of offshore wind with fish and with commercial/recreational fisheries. The symposium will conclude with an open discussion, focused on knowledge sharing and lessons learned that can inform coexistence of offshore wind and fisheries as development advances on the U.S. OCS. We welcome abstract submissions from all relevant sectors.

Organizer: Brian Dresser, Tetra Tech, Inc., [email protected]

Co-organizers: Reneé Reilly, Ursula Howson, Morgan Brunbauer, Douglas Christel, Fiona Hogan, andy lipsky, Elizabeth Methratta, Angela Silva, Brendan Runde

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

Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in fisheries decision-making is strengthened by legislation, however the recognition of Indigenous Knowledge systems in management plans, and the supporting research and assessment, varies widely. This Symposium will bring together Knowledge Holders, practitioners, and researchers from Indigenous organizations, agencies, and academia to learn about challenges, opportunities, and conditions necessary to pair Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Knowledge systems with Western science when assessing and rebuilding depleted populations. Practitioners are invited to present case studies that consider Indigenous Knowledge in assessing and rebuilding depleted populations, ranging from consultation on assessments or management plans, to incorporating Indigenous Knowledges in plans that support government agency objectives (e.g., inform status assessments, reference points that reflect ‘serious harm’, rebuilding targets), to collaborative and inclusive co-identification, co-design, and co-implementation of research and management decisions that also support Indigenous and values and priorities.

Organizer: Carrie Holt, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]

Co-organizers: Saul Milne, Candace Picco, Sabrina Crowley, Jaclyn Cleary

Supported by: Ha’oom Fisheries Society (Tofino, BC, Canada), Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council’s Uu-a-thluk Fisheries (Port Alberni, BC, Canada), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Nanaimo, BC, Canada)