Introduction	Meeting Theme	Location	Student Grants
Contact Info	Agenda	Optional Motels	Acrobat Registration Form

Introduction: The Florida Chapter of the American Fisheries Society will hold its 20^th annual meeting from 28 March to 30 March, 2000 at the Withlacoochee Training Center near Brooksville, Florida. The Florida Chapter was organized in 1980 to promote the wise use of Florida's aquatic resources. Membership in the Chapter and participation in the annual meeting is open to anyone with an interest in the fish and aquatic resources of Florida.

Meeting: The theme of this year's meeting is "Impacts of Harmful Organisms on Florida Fisheries--Your Choice of Colors: Blue-Green Algae, Red Tides, Black Grubs..." Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and diseases threaten Florida fisheries and 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.

Donna Turgeon (Bio) will be our keynote speaker. She is among the most dedicated and productive biologists contributing to the mission of the American Fisheries Society. Currently, a marine ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Turgeon’s recent assessments include (1) sediment toxicity and macrobenthic populations in Biscayne Bay and the Delaware Estuary; (2) reef fish at Texas Flower Gardens National Marine Sanctuary, Belize, and Honduras; and (3) nutrient overenrichment in U.S. estuaries. Currently, she is developing a monitoring plan for the south Florida marine ecosystem and a national algal bloom program. Previously, Turgeon was Fisheries Regulations Branch chief with NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, and before that a marine biologist with Florida Department of Natural Resources. Her current responsibilities include chairing a national task force on harmful algal blooms, and she will present us with a national perspective of the problem. (For background reading see: Abstract from her National Overview of HABs at 1999 AFS Meeting, National Pfiesteria Strategy and 1993 Article on Contaminants)

Other confirmed speakers will include: (1) Karen Steidinger on HAB species and HABs in Florida and the HAB Task Force. (2) Jan Landsberg, FMRI - aquatic health and HABs (red tide, ciguateric organisms, other tumor promoting HAB species that she has been working on), and (3) John Burns a SJRWMD biologist dealing with freshwater and estuarine blue green algae blooms.

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'. Abstracts for posters and talks that have been approved thus far are posted.

The Chapter's annual business meeting will also be held during this time period. This is an opportunity to help decide the future of the Chapter and to get updated on happenings at the Division and International level.

There will be bonfire socials Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and the Florida Chapter raffle Wednesday night. The meeting provides an excellent opportunity to renew old acquaintances, meet other individuals who are interested in Florida's fisheries and exchange information. Come on out and enjoy the best camaraderie our profession and avocation has to offer.

Location: [For an interactive map click here, or for a simple map click here] The 600-acre Withlacoochee Training Center is approximately 10 miles north of Brooksville on US Highway 41. The Training Center has heated and air conditioned, dormitory-style accommodations for 96. There are motels available in Brooksville and Floral City in case of overflow. Unfortunately, the Training Center kitchen will be closed this year for renovations. The Executive Committee is currently working on either catering options or plans to use the local Shonees, if necessry.

The Training Center has a recreation building available for use after the meeting. McKethan Lake recreational area is within walking distance and features boating, picnicking, hiking, fishing, and self-guided nature trails.

Student Travel Grants: The Florida Chapter has a limited number of student travel grants available to assist students attending the meeting. These grants cover the cost of room and board. The student is responsible for the registration fee. The Florida Chapter gives preference to students who are presenting papers or posters at the meeting, but a presentation is not required. Contact: Chuck Cichra, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653-3071; (352/392-9617 x249). Email: Fish@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

More Information: Contact Doug Haymans, President Elect Florida Chapter AFS, if you need more information. He can be reached at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399; phone: 850/488-6058; email: haymand@gfc.state.fl.us

There are no public campgrounds associated with state parks, forests, recreational areas, etc. in the general area. There are a number of private campgrounds/RV parks in the area. Most of these appear to cater to the residential RV crowd. One possibility is Brentwood Lake Camping (352/796-5760) located approximately 6 miles south of the Training Center.

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*The address will be used in our mailing list and should be the one where you want to receive you newsletters and other materials.

Please select one of the following Registration Fees:

Member One-day Registration. If you have already paid 2000 FL Chapter dues, your registration fee is: ($17.00)

Non-member One-day Registration. If you have not paid 2000 FL Chapter dues, your registration fee is: ($27.00)

Member Full Registration. If you have already paid 2000 FL Chapter dues your registration fee is: ($25.00)

Non-member Full Registration. If you have not paid your 2000 Chapter dues your registration fee is: ($35.00)

Partial Meals and Lodging

Tuesday: 28 March 2000

Lunch ($6.00)

Dinner ($8.00)

Lodging ($21.00)

Wednesday: 29 March 2000

Breakfast ($4.00)

Lunch ($6.00)

Dinner ($8.00)

Lodging ($21.00)

Thursday: 30 March 2000

Breakfast ($4.00)

Lunch ($6.00)

Full Meals and Lodging: ($84.00)

Total Amount: (Registration & Meals)

Total Enclosed: (Minimum $10.00 Deposit)

Balance Due:

Dietary Needs: (vegetarian, low fat, etc.) Note: Due to the need to cater this year's event, we may be limited in options, but will try our best.

Please Make Checks Payable to: Florida Chapter, AFS

Return to: Peter Hood
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
3018 US Hwy 301 N.
Suite 1000
Tampa, FL 33619

Phone: 813/228-2815
Fax: 813/225-7015

Email: peter.hood@gulfcouncil.org

20TH ANNUAL MEETING: 28-30 March 2000

WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST TRAINING CENTER,

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

MEETING REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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