F.A.S.T.  Workshop-Friday February 9th , 8:00 am- 5:00 pm

Dr. Mike Maceina of Auburn University will direct this one-day workshop on using the Fishery Analysis and Simulation Tools (FAST) software package, which he developed along with Dr. Jeff Slipke.  This software provides fishery biologists and managers with a simple to use Windows based computer program to simulate and evaluate the dynamics of exploited fish populations.  The program provides for the evaluation of proposed minimum, slot, and inverted length limits and creel limits on exploited fisheries.  FAST can be used to model recreational and commercial fisheries in freshwater and marine environments.  In the users manual, background information on growth, mortality, recruitment, and modeling are presented.  Students taking the workshop will run through examples using the Beverton-Holt equilibrium yield equation (see Ricker 1975) to estimate yields-per-recruit and build dynamic pool models.  FAST comes with a 140 page users manual and support documentation as PDF files.  Analyses of four actual fisheries with varying management goals and the corresponding data sets serve as examples for the user.  Workshop participants need to bring their own Windows enabled PC laptop.  Te workshop provides participants with their own copy of FAST software and documentation.

Cost: $100 and is limited to the first 25 who register for the workshop

Pond Management 101 Workshop- Friday February 9th, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm

This workshop will be facilitated by many fishery professionals from the southeast that deal with everyday situations in pond and small lake management.  Management of ponds and small impoundments is vital to fishery biologists in the United States, particularly in the Southeast.  Often, these public resources comprise the majority of available water resources for anglers.  Fisheries biologists are routinely asked to assess both private and public ponds and provide sound management options that will optimize fish populations.  This workshop is targeted for young professional fisheries biologists seeking to develop a better understanding of the dynamics associated with pond management.  This workshop is also open to other fishery professionals who may want a refresher course on the topics associated with small impoundment and pond management.  Topics presented will include human dimensions to pond management, proper construction techniques, fisheries management (stocking, sampling, harvest, and water quality), aquatic vegetation, renovation techniques, and fish kills/diseases.  The course will conclude with an open panel discussion seeking to resolve any additional information.    

Cost: Free to students who pre-register for workshop, $30 for all other meeting attendees

Safety Workshop-Friday February 9th, 8:00 am-12 noon

CANCELLED