The Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society will be hosting a state and national symposium to discuss harmful algal blooms (HABs) and diseases which threaten Florida fisheries. HABs have made statewide headlines during the past year with the public and politicians alike looking at horrific pictures of fish lesions on the nightly news. Coming directly on the heels of the World HAB Meeting in Tazmania, Australia, the timing could not be better for the Florida Chapter to hear about this issue within our state. Speakers will cover the topic from streams to reefs.

In addition to invited speakers, there will be a contributed paper session dealing with traditional fisheries topics. Organizers are looking for papers and posters. Papers will be 15-minutes long, preferably with slides or Power-Point, and have an additional 5-minutes for introductions and questions. Posters will be approximately 3' x 4'. Click here for more information on the meeting and tips on making oral and poster presentations.

The 20^th Annual Meeting of the Florida Chapter American Fisheries Society will occur 28-30 March 2000, at the Withlacoochee Training Center, Brooksville, Florida. Please send your electronic abstract to Doug Haymans, President Elect Florida Chapter AFS at haymand@gfc.state.fl.us. (Please see Chapter web site for abstract examples). If you need more information, Doug can be reached at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 204D, Tallahassee, FL 32301; phone: 850/488-6058; fax: 850/488-7152.

The deadline for submitting abstracts is 1 February 2000.

Also please remember to respond to the member that survey