Buffalo, New York
Saturday, May 21, 2005

 

Announcements and Introductions – Doug Stang

Members in attendance: Benjy Kinman (KY), Gary Isbell (OH), Todd Engeling (TX), Dale Burkett (GLFC), Ron Southwick (VA), Kyle Austin (KS), Gary Saul (TX), Steve Hewett (WI), Kent Nelson (NC), Gary Martel (VA), Mike Staggs (WI), Don Gablehouse (NE), Ken Kurzawski (TX), Doug Stang (NY) and Mike Stone (WY).

Guest: Gus Rassam (AFS)

AFS News – Gus Rassam

NA Agenda – Dale Burkett will cover in his presentation to the group.

Fish Habitat Initiative – AFS working with IAFWA and WMI to put “fisheries” on the agenda at the North American Conference in 2006.

2005 Annual Meeting – 1,800 papers submitted for the meeting. AFS expects very good participation. Due to the large number of papers submitted, some presenters may be asked to re-submit their paper as a poster. There will also be a Cooperative Management Symposium sponsored by Sea Grant at the meeting.

New Mexican Chapter – Gus and other AFS leaders met with Mexican fisheries biologists and organized a Mexican Chapter with 50 members. The chapter will be sanctioned at the meeting in Anchorage. The new chapter will be part of the Western Division.

Fish Conservation Foundation – Group has been in existence for 2 years and starting to get on its feet. The Foundation will provide outreach for the Society, translating scientific information to the public. To date, the Foundation has funded projects on western native fish and coral reefs. AFS wants to begin soliciting projects for the Foundation. These could include Ocean Predators, Invasive Species, Groundfish, Billfish/Tarpon, Bonefish, etc. The hope is to have working groups and funding sources for each campaign. Check the AFS website for more information on the Foundation.

Public Policy – AFS leadership visit to Capital Hill in March ’05 was successful in alerting congressional staff of impending fisheries issues.

Hutton Program – This year there are 61 new students from 21 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Funding for the program is still not stable. Major sponsors have been U.S. Forest Service, National Wildlife Foundation, NOAA, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Other support has come from state agencies, AFS sub-units, and private contributors. Gus said it was difficult to raise funding for high school students. Dale Burkett suggested that AFS check with National Education Department for possible funding source. The Program has had 160 students to date. A recent survey found that 62% of these students are currently in college studying fisheries or biology. AFS is considering hiring a professional to raise funds for the program.

Internal AFS Operations – New database being worked on will speed up dues processing, etc. AFS will be able to provide software to sub-sections that will help with meeting registrations. The new database should be ready by Fall, 2005. The AFS membership survey results have been compiled and will be published in Fisheries and on the website soon.

Doug Stang reported AFS doing very well business wise and complimented Gus for his management of the Society.

N.A. Agenda for Aquatic Resources – Dale Burkett (Great Lakes Fishery Commission)

Dale gave a power point presentation on the Origins of the N.A. Agenda for Aquatic Resources (NAAAR), “Brief History, Current Status and Hopes for the Future”. (Additional information on the N.A. Agenda was sent out to all FAS members prior to the meeting).

Doug Stang asked group what role should FAS be involved with the N.A. Agenda and how should we proceed? Suggestions included the FAS serving as a tracking and reporting mechanism on what has been done with the N.A. Agenda. Also, FAS could choose from the list of “issues” for the Section to work on.

Dale Burkett, Mike Staggs, and Doug Stang volunteered to work on a motion for FAS involvement and present it at the Business Meeting.

Double-crested cormorants: New York experiences

The group heard three presentations on cormorants and their impact on fisheries and control efforts. Steve LaPan (NYSDEC) talked about the fisheries impacts on eastern Lake Ontario. Rich Chipman (USDA-APHIS-WS) presented control efforts and evaluation effectiveness of control strategies. Lars Rudstam (Cornell University) reported on the fisheries impacts on Oneida Lake.

National Fish Habitat Initiative – Mike Stone

Mike gave the group an update on issues related to the National Fish Habitat Initiative. He relayed that there was some progress with the IAWFA starting to receive money for the program. For more information on the Initiative go to www.fishhabitat.org.

Personal Watercraft vs. Anglers – Don Gablehouse

Don handed out results of his boating regulation survey to state boating law administrators. He asked group if anyone was using quantitative parameters to determine numbers or types of watercraft that can operate safely on a body of water. With the exception of horsepower limits,“no wake” zones, and providing local government authority to prohibit regulate personal watercraft use, no one reported on any other methods to restrict watercraft usage on water bodies.

Potential Changes to Excise Tax Program Elements for Federal Aid Funds

**ACTION ITEM** - After a brief discussion on the issue, Doug Stang will contact Gordon Robertson of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) to see how FAS can best get involved.

Turn-over of Professional Personnel and Recruitment – Benjy Kinman

Kentucky expects a 50% turnover of fisheries staff in next 5 years. There was discussion on how to recruit qualified applicants for professional fisheries positions including hatchery staff, and how to train current staff to take on administrative roles. Doug Stang reported that there was a committee set up with the IAWFA to look at professional leadership training. Gus Rassam noted that AFS has been invited to participate in this effort as well.

Asian Carp issues in Kentucky – Benjy Kinman

Kentucky is experiencing a rapidly expanding population of Asian carps in tailraces which are off limits to some commercial gear fishing due to protected species. Benjy queried group on ideas on feasibility of removing carp (commercially) while still protecting paddlefish, and potential commercial market for Asian carp.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Business Meeting

Doug called the business meeting to order at 8:45 a.m. There were only 14 voting members in attendance (15 needed for quorum), so no business requiring a vote could be done.

Nominations for Officers

President-elect: Benjy Kinman (KY), Bret Preston (WV), and Don Gablehouse (NE)

Doug Stang will check with the nominees for their willingness to serve office.

Secretary and Treasurer: Ken Kurzawski (TX)

Salary Update – Doug Stang

Doug reported only 24 states (28 agencies) returned the salary survey. He will send another request to states to submit completed surveys.

Articles in Fisheries – Don Gablehouse

Due to feedback from recent Fisheries (Feb 05) article “Staffing, Spending, and Funding of State Inland Fisheries Programs”, the group discussed ways on how to present national data (salaries, staffing , etc) for publication that may be sensitive to some agencies. Gus Rassam suggested that any “outliers” be sent to those agencies for review and comment before inclusion and publishing.

FAS Membership – Ron Southwick

Ron presented Section membership data to group. As of April 05, FAS membership was 168 members (200 needed to be a voting member of the AFS Governing Board). The Section has not been able to vote for the past few years. There was also discussion on the lack of meeting participation by state fisheries administrators. Based on the latest fish chief listing, only 24 freshwater and 1 marine fish chief/director are members of the Section.

Two questions were brought up; 1) How do we get better participation in both AFS and Fisheries Administrators? 2) What can the Section offer to make it worthwhile to be a member? Gary Martel suggested that those fish administrators present contact neighboring states to encourage FAS membership and meeting participation. Doug Stang and Gary Isbell brought up changing structure or theme of FAS meetings, maybe having a major special topic of interest. Mike Staggs suggested polling states on why they are not members of FAS and not present at meetings. He also suggested maybe having the FAS meeting in conjunction with the North American meeting (Columbus, OH in 2006). Gary Saul and Don Gablehouse supported having next FAS meeting with the North American meeting. Gary Isbell offered to help with coordination.

**ACTION ITEM** Develop and send a short email survey concerning FAS members’ participation in FAS meetings and asking selected state fisheries director/chiefs why they do not belong to FAS and/or AFS, and reason they do not send representation to FAS meetings (Staggs & Martel). There will be a telephone follow-up.

Telephone follow-up of survey: Members responsible for contacting neighboring states;

Mike Stone – CO, UT, MT, ID, NV, NM, AK

Kyle Austin – OK, AR

Mike Staggs – MN, MI, IL, FWS Region 3 ARD

Gary Saul – LA, MS, AL, AZ, FWS Region 2 ARD

Gary Isbell – IN

Gary Martel – TN, GA, SC, WV, FL, DC

Doug Stang – MD, PA, NJ, VT, ME, NH, MA, RI, Region 5 ARD

Virgil Moore – CA, WA, OR, FWS Region 1 ARD

Don Gablehouse – ND, SD, IO, MO, FWS Region 6 ARD

Dale Burkett – Federal Agencies

Sportfish Restoration Awards – Gary Saul

Gary reported that he had received no nominations as of the meeting. He will be sending out another reminder for nominations. The award criteria are being reviewed and revised. The review committee for this year’s awards are Don Gablehouse (NE), Mike Staggs (WI), Ken Kurzawski (TX), Kent Nelson (NC), and Kyle Austin (KS).

Fisheries Administrators Web Page – Gary Saul

The page is up and running. It can be accessed either through the AFS Homepage or Southern Division Homepage. Currently the page contains the Section Bylaws, History of Officers, and past Sportfish Restoration Award Winners and FAS meeting announcements. Gary asked for suggestions for the web page. At present, Gary said the web page will be updated a couple of times annually.

Other Items

AFS/TWS Lead Review Committee – Doug Stang reported that the update was not going very well and the committee is still working on it.

Across the Pond – Doug Stang is working with Fish Management Section on arrangements for meeting with European counterparts that is scheduled for Fall, 2006.

Meeting with IAFWA – Include this on the next FAS meeting agenda and contact someone with the North American. **ACTION ITEM** - Gary Saul working with Gary Isbell

Aquaculture 2007 Meeting – Meeting is set for Feb 26 – Mar 2, 2007 in San Antonio,TX. The meeting is currently sponsored by AFS Fish Culture Section, World Aquaculture Society and National Shellfisheries Association. For more information contact John Nickum. Email jgnickum@hotmail.com

Texas – Science Review of Agency – Ken Kurzawski

AFS did a science review of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Results can be found on the TPWD web homepage at http://tpwd.state.tx.us (it is listed on the main page under New Pages)

Carry-over item from 5/21 – Pending Motion

A pending motion was written to develop and sustain a long-term strategy for the Fisheries Administration Section to support the development of the North American Agenda for Aquatic Resources. The pending motion will be brought forward at the AFS Annual meeting in Anchorage to be discussed and voted on.

**Action Item** Doug Stang and Dale Burkett will draft a preamble that explains the discussion that occurred at the Buffalo meeting and set up the proposed action for discussion and decision at the Anchorage meeting. Don Gablehouse and Gary Saul will review the draft before sending out to membership.

Treasurer’s Report – Ron Southwick

Ron Southwick presented the Treasurer’s Report. The Section currently has a balance of $4,362.55 in the bank. A copy of the report will be sent out along with the minutes of the meeting.

The meeting ended at 11:35 a.m. Mike Staggs thanked Doug for the great meeting arrangements and New York hospitality. The group concurred.