2011 Spring Meeting Workshops
1. Use of simulation tools for informing fisheries monitoring
Instructor: Dan Gwinn (dgwinn@ufl.edu) and Jake Tetzlaff (jctetz@ufl.edu), University of Florida
Date/Time: Friday, 14 January, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $25.00 Professional, $10.00 Students
This course introduces the use of computer simulations to inform research and monitoring program sampling designs. The instructors will discuss common issues that often prevent monitoring data from being fully useful. Participants will be challenged to think critically about the processes influencing monitoring data (sampling and biological) and taught to formalize these processes in mathematical models. This will be a hands-on course, where participants will work with instructors on a number of case studies that range from simple sample size estimation to complex detection processes. The instructors will demonstrate the use of Monte Carlo methods and likelihood estimation tools for developing simulation models in Excel and program R. The course requires no experience in program R, but a basic working knowledge of R and Excel would be helpful. After the course participants will be able to use simulation models as tools for evaluating alternative sampling designs and analysis. Computers will not be provided for this class, therefore participants must provide their own laptop with Excel 2007 or higher installed.
**This Workshop is Now Full** 2. Basic Fish Population Modeling using Excel
Instructor: Mike Allen (msal@ufl.edu), University of Florida
Date/Time: Friday, 14 January, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost to participants: $20.00 Professional, $5.00 Students
This course is intended to teach basic fish population modeling skills to individuals who are interested in quantitative analysis of fish populations. The program requires no experience in modeling, but a basic understanding of fish mortality and growth (e.g., von Bertalanffy growth model) would be helpful. The participants will learn to evaluate the need for harvest regulations using population models. After the workshop participants should be able to build their own population model and tailor the model to their situation at work or school. The participants will demonstrate skill in building population models, diagnosing growth overfishing, and identifying harvest regulations that will improve angler catch and harvest. This will be a hands-on course, where participants will work through the exercises with the instructor. Participants will be able to estimate growth parameters, length-weight parameters, and build basic population models in spreadsheets. Computers will not be provided for this class, therefore participants must provide their own laptop with Excel 2007 or higher installed.
3. Public outreach and stakeholder management
Instructor: Perran Ross (pross@ufl.edu), the University of Florida and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Date/Time: Friday, 14 January, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: $25.00 Professional, $10.00 Students
This workshop is designed to teach participants how to effectively harness stakeholder input. Agency and institutional process increasingly recommends stakeholder consultation, but the best way to contact and organize stakeholders is not always clear to researchers and managers. Participants will review the basis for public consultation in fisheries resource issues and explore concepts and guiding principles. Experience of the FWC stakeholder process will illustrate successful methods and pitfalls. Hands-on practice and roll playing will be used to broaden participants stakeholder management skills. This workshop will be open to both students and professionals.
4. Using PowerPoint and Poster Presentations to Effectively Communicate your Message
Instructor: Phil Bettoli (pbettoli@tntech.edu), Tennessee Tech University and Jonathan Davis (Johnathan.Davis@nscc.edu), Nashville State Community College
Date/Time: Friday, 14 January, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: Free but must pre-register
To share a vision of what makes a great talk or poster. The mechanics of crafting PowerPoint slide shows and posters, simple rules to follow and things to avoid, and how to effectively organize and deliver a talk will all be discussed. There will also be a presentation on "How to take good digital pictures to show off your science". Prior to the workshop, participants will be encouraged to submit PowerPoint slides and posters that will be reviewed and critiqued by the group.
5. Finding a Job as a Fisheries Professional
Instructor: John Galvez (john_galvez@fws.gov), US Fish and Wildlife Service and Janice Kerns (Janice.kerns@ufl.edu), University of Florida
Data/Time: Friday, 14 January, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free but must pre-register
The first portion of the workshop will open with a general information session on job search methods, resume and cover letter techniques, professionalism and interviewing skills. The second portion of the workshop will include a panel discussion with fisheries professionals including representatives from state and federal agencies, academia, and private industry. Topics discussed will include perspectives on how students can rise above the competition to obtain jobs and how to navigate through the employment process.