Proposed Sessions

Description: 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

Description: Hatchery programs are pursued for fisheries enhancement, conservation, and climate adaptation. This session aims to explore challenges and opportunities for adaptive management and reform of hatchery programs from ecological, technical, social and governance angles. Supported by: Mote Eminent Scholar Program, Florida Sea Grant, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Session

Description: Chemical tagging techniques and structures for ecological analyses have progressed rapidly in the past decade, with novel techniques providing a greater understanding into fish life history. This session aims to highlight the most recent use of tagging structures, techniques, and applications for elemental and isotopic ecology. Supported by: AFS

Description: This session will review recent advances in release mortality and depredation research in marine fisheries, focusing on barotrauma in vulnerable species in the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and elsewhere. A panel discussion will inform Return ‘Em Right’s data priorities for 2026 and beyond, relevant to fisheries researchers and

Description: We invite researchers to present novel angler survey research using emerging methodologies in creel and human dimensions studies. Topics include AI, remote sensing, electronic reporting, and innovative self-reporting techniques. This session will inform the development of a modern Angler Survey Methods manual to enhance fisheries management and survey standardization.

Description: This symposium will cover various acoustic sonar technologies, particularly recent advancements and applications that have enhanced efficiency for use in fisheries management. Furthermore, research that directly addresses key challenges associated with sonar data post-processing, such as efficient data processing pipelines, image processing algorithms, and artificial intelligence applications, are encouraged.

Description: Cooperative research is defined as a scientific activity involving two or more partners who gain more collectively than each would separately in pursuing a shared goal. However, issues such as data quality, standardization and validation, trust and communication, data ownership/access must be addressed. Commonalities and best practices will be

Description: Trophic markers like stable isotopes, fatty acid signatures, and algal pigments are invaluable for studying food web dynamics. This session will highlight their application in aquatic environments, fostering discussions on advancements in methodology and insights into trophic structure, energy flow, and ecosystem management at spatial and temporal scales. Session

Description: This symposium intends to highlight genetics or genomics research in fisheries applications and to promote discussion on relevant questions about evolutionary and ecological aspects of either freshwater or marine organisms. However, given AFS location this year, submissions of research carried out in the SW of USA are encouraged. Session

Description: We invite abstract submissions on the biological impacts of invasive bigheaded carp control, current management practices, and its successes and/or failures. The session will end with a discussion panel on how to address knowledge gaps and improve inter-agency collaboration and management of invasive bigheaded carp in the future. Supported

Description: This symposium presents sustainable strategies for fostering inclusive fisheries workplaces. Thought leaders will cover cultural responsiveness, leadership models, policy adaptation, data-driven impact, and overcoming resistance to inclusion. Attendees will gain actionable tools to enhance equity, engagement, and long-term sustainability in the industry. Supported by: North Central Division FishCAST Session

Description: This symposium celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, highlighting its historical successes and current challenges. It focuses on the legislation’s impact on sustainable fisheries, recreational boating, and connecting communities with aquatic resources, while exploring innovative future directions for the program. Supported

Description: This session showcases how partnerships with the recreational fishing community leads to more robust science and improved data quality to inform management. Supported by: Cooperative Research with Stakeholders Section, MyCatch Session Organizers: Sean Simmons, Angler’s Atlas Session Contact: Sean Simmons, [email protected]

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.

Description: Recent crayfish conservation efforts leverage advances in taxonomy, habitat studies, and threat assessments, incorporating inferences from molecular data, zoogeography, and environmental disturbances. This symposium offers a platform for researchers and managers across North America to share lessons learned, discuss strategies, and present findings on crayfish conservation, fostering collaboration and

Description: This symposium will explore the new frontiers of creel surveys and how innovation is playing a key role in their advancement. Supported by: Cooperative Research with Stakeholders Section, MyCatch Session Organizers: Sean Simmons, Angler’s Atlas Session Contact: Sean Simmons, [email protected]

Description: Discover the latest innovations and applications of PIT tags in fisheries, including stock assessments, migration studies, data management, and conservation. This symposium will highlight technological advancements, standardization challenges, and strategies for enhancing sustainable management practices, fostering collaboration to address research challenges and improve conservation efforts for aquatic ecosystems. Supported

Description: Recent investments to manage fisheries under changing conditions are leading to a better understanding and prediction of changing oceanic and atmospheric conditions, options for management response, and how fish, fisheries, and communities can adapt. This session focuses on applications of interdisciplinary science for management of species under change conditions.

Description: This symposium will provide examples from fish scientists demonstrating how unintended outcomes, originally perceived as failures, ultimately turned out to be pathways to progress, learning, and understanding. Shifting the idea of what makes science “successful” or “presentable” will help grow our field and encourage fisheries scientists to fail successfully.

Description: Waterway projects frequently involve elements of aquatic organism passage and/or riparian habitat restoration (stream crossings, channel stabilizations, diversion structures). Success often requires a multidisciplinary team to achieve multiple objective projects, particularly dam removal.  This session presents information on approaches, tools, and organizations that are moving this collaboration forward. Supported

Description: In this session, we seek to highlight the diversity of cutting-edge fisheries research and conservation efforts underway in Latin America and to provide a platform by which AFS members can discuss and prepare for the next Latin American and Caribbean Fisheries Congress (scheduled for Spring 2027). Session Organizers: Erica

Description: This symposium will provide guidance for successful application and interviews for jobs and graduate school in fisheries. Topics may include developing position-specific resumes, navigating USAJobs/state agency application portals, graduate school application pointers, interviewing tips, and other guidance related to successfully getting your foot in the door. Supported by: Student

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

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

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

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

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:

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

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

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

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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Description: Several field research stations and groups from across North America undertake long term whole ecosystem studies with the understanding that data from these programs are relevant and easily understood by stakeholders, and therefore have disproportionate influence on decision makers. Supported by: IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) Session Organizers: Vince

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:

Description: Inland fish and fisheries, at the nexus of biodiversity, water, food, and human well-being, face numerous stressors. The call for transformative change through holistic approaches can build socio-ecological resilience. In this session, we highlight advancements in understanding transformative change for inland fisheries, including strategies, case studies, and scenario planning.

Description: This symposium provides a forum to share research involving ecology, conservation, and management practices of native and imperiled stream fishes. Of particular interest is work that can be applied for conservation and management purposes, and uses emerging/novel approaches to address past gaps to protect the future of stream fishes.

Description: Ecohydrology provides an interdisciplinary approach to aquatic resource management by combining the study of water quality and physical properties with the behavior and ecology of aquatic species. By using this approach, we can better understand species and human needs to ensure the sustainability of our water resources and ecosystem