Southern Division
of the
American Fisheries Society

Symposia Notes:

1. Symposium participants must submit their abstracts through the meeting webpage. Organizers are not responsible for abstract submissions.
2. A check box is provided for each symposium on the abstract submission webpage. Check only one in which you wish to participate.
3. Please note that time slots are limited for these symposia. Your presentation may be moved to “General Session” if a symposium is full or canceled.
   

Tentative Symposium Titles and Organizers:

Title: Red Snapper
The subject of the symposium is the fisheries ecology of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. Experts in red snapper ecology, population dynamics, population structure, and fisheries management from state and federal agencies, private consulting firms, and academia will be assembled to present the latest research on this ecologically and economically species. A peer-reviewed book will be produced from the symposium’s proceedings.

Organizer:
Will Patterson
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Building 58
1100 University Parkway
University of West Florida
Pensacola, FL 32514
Phone: 850-857-6123
E-mails: wpatterson@uwf.edu

Title: Geographic Information Systems in Fisheries
Geographic information systems (GIS) have become an important tool in fisheries research and management. GIS and spatial statistics provide new avenues to display, manage, and analyze geospatial data. Fisheries scientists are increasingly using GIS and spatial analyses to map and model fish distributions and abundances, evaluate habitat conditions and fish-habitat relationships, and assess the human dimensions of fisheries. Furthermore, Internet-based GIS is now being used to disseminate geospatial information to a broader group of people. This symposium will feature current applications of GIS and spatial analyses in fisheries research and management.

Organizers:
William Fisher, Jason Freund, Daniel Dauwalter
Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
404 Life Sciences West
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-6342
Fax: 405-744-5006
E-mails: wfisher@okstate.edu; jason.freund@okstate.edu; daniel.dauwalter@okstate.edu

Title: Catfish Management
As more and more anglers target catfish species, catfish management is rapidly becoming one of the fastest moving topics in North American fisheries work. This symposium will focus on some of the catfish research work currently underway and on some of the changing philosophies on how to approach catfish management.

Organizer:
Kevin Sullivan
Resource Scientist
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 368
Clinton, MO 64735
phone: 660-885-8179 x224
E-mail: Kevin.Sullivan@mdc.mo.gov

Title: Trophy Fish Management
Symposium purpose is to explore scientific basis for management of trophy fish. Going beyond case histories, we seek to develop conceptual or other models to identify patterns in production of trophy fish.

Organizer:
Gene Wilde
Wildlife and Fisheries Management Institute
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, Texas 79409
E-mail: gene.wilde@ttu.edu

Title: Trout Fisheries in Regulated Rivers
Although politically incorrect in some quarters, the stocking and management of exotic salmonids in regulated rivers below many major dam projects will continue for the foreseeable future to mitigate for lost fishing opportunities. Trout stocking programs often create destination fisheries, with substantial economic impacts. Even marginal tailwater trout fisheries can provide valuable recreational opportunities to local communities where such opportunities would otherwise not exist. Regardless of reputation, all tailwater trout fisheries offer researchers and managers the opportunity to practice their trade. Papers in this symposium will include a variety of papers relating to the basic biology and management of the habitat, fish, and anglers that together constitute these interesting fisheries.

Organizer:
Phillip Bettoli
U.S. Geological Survey
Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Tennessee Technological University
Cookeville, TN 38505
E-mail: PBEttoli@tntech.edu

Title: Urban Fisheries
Urban fisheries continue to grow in popularity each year. These fisheries provide unique opportunities for state fish and wildlife resource agencies to connect with various user groups, in addition to traditional hunters and anglers. Most agencies throughout the Southern Division have adopted specialized programs aimed at increasing the awareness of the public to these urban fisheries. The goal of this symposium is to highlight the programs, techniques, and recruitment methods of various state resource agencies in terms of developing their urban fisheries.

Organizer:
Ryan Oster
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
(502) 564-7109
E-mail: ryan.oster@ky.gov

Title: Instream Flows
Maintaining adequate flows in our rivers, bays, and estuaries is essential for long-term viability of aquatic and riparian communities. The purpose of this symposium is to will discuss the science, direction, and implementation of Instream Flow programs throughout southeastern USA with emphasis on freshwater biota.

Organizer:
Tim Bonner
Department of Biology
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, Texas 78666
E-mail: TBonner@txstate.edu