AFS Fisheries Management Section 2007 Awards Presentations
| The Fisheries Management Section (FMS) was fortunate to have many deserving nominees in 2007, so there were either individual or multiple winners of all available awards. FMS President Joe Larscheid and President-Elect Ron Essig presented these awards at the FMS business meeting on September 2, 2007 at AFS meeting in San Francisco, CA. | |
| The highest honor given by the FMS is selection into the Fisheries Management Hall of Excellence (HOE). The Hall is located at the AK-SAR-BEN Aquarium in Gretna, Nebraska where plaques of inductees are prominently displayed. It was established in 1992 with the stated objectives: 1) to recognize fisheries management professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of fisheries management; 2) to provide a site where the contributions of those honored can be displayed and viewed by the public and other fisheries professionals; 3) to emphasize the accomplishment, dedication and principles of those honored in the HOE; and 4) to describe the fisheries management profession. |  Hannibal Bolton is inducted into the Hall of Excellence |
| In 2007, there were three inductees into the HOE. Hannibal Bolton was recognized for his notable contributions to fisheries management in the Great Lakes area and in Washington, DC and his inspirational work in minority recruitment and mentoring within the fisheries profession during his 30+ year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Dave Willis was recognized for his national leadership in fisheries management education and applied research with an impressive array of publications, including Fisheries Techniques, 2nd edition, and his exemplary involvement in many AFS leadership positions. |  Hannibal Bolton is inducted into the Hall of Excellence |
| Jack Wingate was recognized for his outstanding leadership in resolving large lake fisheries research and management issues in Minnesota over a 25 year period and his dedicated long-time service in leadership roles at every level of AFS. |  Wayne Hubert accepts the Hall of Excellence plaque for Jack Wingate |
| The Award of Excellence is given for inspirational leadership in the fishery profession and substantial achievements for AFS and the fisheries resource. The recipients must have effectively communicated their work at the national and/or international level. This award is given for cumulative accomplishments rather than a singular effort. There were two winners of this award in 2007. James Cowan was recognized for his dedicated service to state, regional, and national fisheries management, including 15 years for the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and 10 years for the National Research Council Ocean Studies Board. Roy Williams was recognized for his 39 years of marine fisheries management in Florida and his pioneering efforts in moving marine fisheries management from a reactive to a more proactive process. |  Roy Williams receives the Award of Excellence |
| The Conservation Achievement Award recognizes any significant action, program, or initiative by a nonmember individual, non-governmental organization, or state (provincial), local, or federal agency that contributes substantially to fishery conservation or fishery science. The 2007 winner of this FMS award was the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP). SARP was created in 2001 as a groundbreaking partnership of 13 States, 4 regional fishery commissions, many federal agencies, and numerous private organizations. Its Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan to be completed in late 2007 should serve as a model for regional implementation of the National Fish Habitat Initiative. |  |
| The Award of Merit recognizes a singular accomplishment or an individual or group acting as a team or committee for contributions in fisheries management and research. The award is given for outstanding leadership, administration, or project-related accomplishment in any aspect of the fisheries profession. There were two Awards of Merit presented in 2007. The first was a joint award to Paul Balkenbush and James Vincent for their leadership of a contingent of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation employees, cooperators and volunteers to enhance a 2,800 foot portion of the lower Mountain Fork River through a hydraulically improved low-flow channel, enhanced stream habitat, two-acre wetland construction, and creation of a new 1,200 foot trout stream. |  Paul Balkenbush and James Vincent receive the Award of Merit |
| The second was presented to Forrest Bonney for his 35 years of brook trout management in Maine including revamping regulations, authoring a species management plan, and publishing two books in 2006-2007 on this species for laymen and technical audiences. |  Forrest Bonney receives the Award of Merit |