Spring 2012

Newsletter for the WA-BC Chapter of American Fisheries Society

Featuring our Annual General Members Meeting

Restoration 2012: Beyond Borders

University of Victoria, BC

May 15th-18th

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Contents of the Spring Newsletter

• Welcome from WA-BC Chapter President Mark Celedonia to our 2012 Annual General Meeting: Restoration 2012: Beyond Borders
• Information on attending Restoration 2012 in Victoria, BC
• WA-BC Officers Reports
• Student Activities – UW, WWU, and a new joint BC Student Sub-Unit at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia
• John Stein Announced as New NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center Director
• The Book Nook – DNA Derbies, Soft Landings, Cowboys and Native Americans – A review of Donald Gunderson’s book “The Rockfish’s Warning”
• Conservation Magazine – A science magazine for the thinking general public, newly relocated to the University of Washington.   Free subscriptions available.
• Letters to Editor–Wild Salmon Center’s report on Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, AK  

Please send comments Orlay Johnson (orlay.johnson [at] noaa.gov) and Stephanie Caballero (scaballero [at] fs.fed.us)

Welcome to our AGM Edition!

Mark Celedonia, President, WA-BC Chapter of AFS

I hope this finds you staying at least somewhat dry through a wet, wet spring.  We are only one month away from one of the best WA-BC Chapter Annual General Meetings (AGM) ever to be held!  On May 15^th, our 2012 AGM – Restoration 2012: Beyond Borders – kicks off in charming Victoria, British Columbia on the beautiful campus of the University of Victoria. We are co-convening with the Society for Ecological Restoration’s Northwest and British Columbia Chapters.  SER and AFS are two of North America’s leading ecological conservation and restoration societies.

When we get together to host an event, you know it will be good!  Together, we represent over 1,000 professionals, leaders, researchers, scientists, and practitioners in the fields of ecological restoration and fisheries and aquatic conservation across Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alaska, Northern California, and British Columbia.  In coming together, our gathering is the premier fisheries and ecological conservation event of 2012 in the entire Pacific Northwest! The theme of our joint meeting, Beyond Borders, bears significant symbolism. It is about working across agency jurisdictional borders, across public and private organizational borders, across national borders, and across borders in disciplines and specializations. It is also about going outside our typical roles as scientists and practitioners to communicate with and educate the general public.

Moving beyond these borders will help us identify and achieve shared visions and strategies for ecosystem and natural resource restoration and conservation.  This edition of our WA-BC Chapter Newsletter highlights the exciting lineup of plenary speakers, symposia, student events, and professional networking events that the conference organizing team has put together.  We knew it would be a tall order to follow so closely behind the phenomenally successful 2011 AFS meeting in Seattle.  The Beyond Borders organizing committee was up to the task and has put together a meeting that may not rival the Seattle meeting in size, but clearly offers equally premier events and content.  I think you’ll agree that this is an event not to be missed!  See you in Victoria!

2012 CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Where is the Meeting?  University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia

In case you have never been to UVic, it is in picturesque Gordon Head, only 25 minutes from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and 20 minutes from the airport and downtown Victoria.  The UVic campus is ideally situated to enjoy numerous outdoor activities.  Relax on the sandy beaches of Gyro Park; hike to the top of Mount Tolmie; enjoy a jog along the Alumni Chip Trail or ride your bike to Mount Douglas Park.

            Some views of the beautiful University of Victoria campus  

Getting There:  Check out the rideshare board on the conference website at:  http://restoration2012.org/hotel-travel/rideshares/  Give a ride, get a ride, make friends, save some money at the gas pump, and help keep the planet a little bit healthier all at the same time!

You can also get some great driving, flying, ferry, bus, and rail directions at the UVic website:

http://www.uvic.ca/students/undergraduate/explore/maps/directions.php

Where to Stay:  Your choices range from UVic dormitories, B&Bs, modest hotels/motels, or the ever-elegant Empress Hotel on the Victoria Waterfront!  Follow the link below for more details regarding your accommodation options during the 2012 conference:

 http://restoration2012.org/hotel-travel/where-to-stay/

Dorms at UVic and the Empress Hotel in downtown Victoria

Getting Around: Find a whole slew of maps at the website below, including 2D, 3D, parking, and building maps. 

http://www.uvic.ca/students/undergraduate/explore/maps/

Registration, Program, and Speakers

Registration: http://restoration2012.org/registration/

Program:  http://restoration2012.org/program/

Plenary and Banquet Speakers: http://restoration2012.org/program/plenary-and-banquet-speakers/

Remember, because we are co-convening with The Society for Ecological Restoration, both Northwest and British Columbia Chapters, as well as the University of Victoria’s Restoration of Natural Systems Program, the presentations and other events at this conference will be more diverse than usual.  Enjoy. 

Of Special Interest to our Chapter Members:  

Plenary Speaker Dr. Lisa DeBruyckere, who was invited by WA-BC Chapter President Mark Celedonia.  Her talk, scheduled for 11:10-11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, May 15^th, is titled “’Moving the Needle’ with the Three C’s: Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination”

Natural resource conservation occurs at a variety of scales and across multiple jurisdictions. This presentation will describe the three C’s critical to improving the health of natural resources and truly “moving the needle” in resource conservation— communication, collaboration, and coordination—and how effective implementation of the Three C’s can best help the organizations that work tirelessly to meet their statutory authorities and visionary objectives.

Biography: Lisa DeBruyckere is President of Creative Resource Strategies, LLC, a consulting company that assists natural resource organizations with their coordination and outreach needs. Lisa has a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in wildlife management. She worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Forestry, and College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University before launching her business in 2001.

Attractions near University Victoria for your free time:

If you have the time either before or after the 2012 AGM in Victoria, spending a day or more at the nearby Gulf Islands National Park Reserve would be very worthwhile.  This reserve safeguards a portion of British Columbia’s beautiful southern Gulf Islands archipelago. These islands are representative of the Strait of Georgia Lowlands, one of the most ecologically at-risk natural regions in southern Canada.

Chum salmon from Lyall Creek on Saturna Island, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, British Columbia (photo credit:  http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/index.aspx)

For more information on the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, see the following websites:

http://restoration2012.org/hotel-travel/nearby-attractions/

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/bc/gulf/index.aspx

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SPRING 2012 WA-BC Officer Reports

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2011-2012 Officers

See WA-BC webpage for list of officers and contact information:

http://wabc-afs.org/about-us/officers/

President Mark Celedonia

President-Elect John Morgan

Vice President Brian Missildine

Past President Mark G. Pedersen

Treasurer Emily Pizzichemi

Secretary Lisa Harlan

Communications Officer Orlay Johnson

Student Sub-Unit Representative Christopher Clark

Past President Mark Pedersen – Writing from Papua New Guinea and Japan

While I am trying to be retired, it just doesn’t seem to be working because interesting projects keep coming up and the AFS involvement stays exciting.  The adage, “when you’re green, you grow, and when you’re ripe, you rot”, is certainly true – I’m blessed to just keep growing with new adventures.

I just returned from my third tour of Papua New Guinea where I am part of the Independent Environmental and Social Consultants (IESC) appointed by a group of international lenders (including the US Import-Export Bank) to assure the $16 billion Papua New Guinea Liquid Natural Gas (PNG LNG) project currently being constructed by Esso Highlands Ltd. meets international standards for sustainability.  During this trip, I was able to meet with the Women’s Fish Market Coop at Lea Lea Village to discuss their concerns regarding construction of the LNG offloading wharf just north of Port Moresby. I also took a small boat down the Kikori and Omati Rivers (seeing 3 crocodiles up close and personal along the way!) to observe pipe-laying and dredging in the Omati, ending up at a village meeting in Goare to discuss the effects of construction with local fishers.  Our IESC was also treated to 3 helicopter rides over the jungle canopy and a seven-hour, 80-mile Land Rover trek through mountain rainforest, following the pipeline route, on what was called a “road”.

But I am glad to be back in the US, at least for a few days.  Most of April, I will be in Japan to witness the birth of my first grand daughter, then home a few days, then off to Guinea, West Africa to advise on a proposed new port facility related to the Rio Tinto Iron Mine project.  I plan to share these and similar adventures at the May AGM in Victoria during my Continuing Education presentation: “International Fisheries Consulting Related to Approval of Major Infrastructure Projects”.  Hope to see you there!

Vice-President Brian Missildine –

I have been diligently working on the symposium section for the 2012 AGM in Victoria and also working on the location and planning for the 2013 AGM to be held in the Washington. 

Secretary Lisa Harlan -

As our Annual General Meeting in Victoria, BC approaches, my task as Chair of the Trade Show continues to get busier.  There will be a nice mix of commercial vendors, environmental organizations, and educational institutions at this year’s Trade Show, which will be held in the Student Union Building on the beautiful University of Victoria campus.  At the beginning of this year, I headed up the effort to submit an application for the Western Division Outstanding Chapter Award which, I am proud to say, was awarded to our WA-BC Chapter at the Western Division AGM last week!  I continue to take the meeting minutes at the WA-BC Executive Committee teleconferences, and I post them on the WA-BC website under the “About Us” tab.  I encourage all members to check it out – it’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening!

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES

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Congratulations to the students at SFU and UBC for forming BC’s first WA-BC AFS Chapter Student Sub-Unit!

The students will be kicking off this sub-unit with a special session at the WA-BC Chapter AGM, to be held at UVic on May 15^th–18^th. Officers for this Student Sub-Unit are:

•  President – Kelli Stingle (Simon Fraser University)

• Vice-President –

Stephanie Avery-Gomm

(University of British Columbia)

• President-Elect – Natalie Sopinka  (University of British Columbia)

•  Secretary – Anne Morgan (Simon Fraser University)

• Treasurer – Kendra Robinson

(University of British Columbia)

• Communications Officer Brittany Keeling (Simon Fraser University)

• Faculty Sponsor – Dr. Sean Cox (Simon Fraser University)

Spring Activities at the AFSUW

Jessica Rohde, President

Hello friends of AFSUW!  We’ve had a busy winter season!  We launched our new website at http://afsuw.wordpress.com/ which includes several updates from the old version. We have compiled information on AFS scholarships available to students, as well as information about past officers of AFSUW. We hope you will follow our “blog” – you can subscribe to the News & Events page with your RSS reader or via email. Check it out!  Second, we co-hosted a major event on UW campus in collaboration with Washington Sea Grant and COSEE Ocean Learning Communities: “Social Media for Scientists”, which featured Scientific American blogger Christie Wilcox, and the COMPASS’ Liz Neeley. You might be wondering ‘why should a scientist bother with social media?’  Here’s a quote from Christie herself:    How can the public trust us when we’re not out there sharing what we do? When they can’t see our passion? When we say we ‘don’t have time’ to interact with them, to explain our research better or answer their questions? When I say scientists should be involved in social media, it is because we need to open that dialogue. If people don’t know who we are or what we do, they will never really care about or trust what we say. Once upon a time I would have said this meant walking down the street and talking to people, but we now live in a digital age. 57% of Americans say they talk to people more online than they do in real life. Scientists need to be on social media because everyone else is already, talking about their thoughts and feelings, having discussions about things they care about, and generally, well, being social.   Liz and Christie gave us a hands on lesson in using twitter, one of the most valuable social media tools for scientists. Special thanks to the WA-BC Chapter for funding the reception! If you are interested in learning more about social media, check out the video of Christie’s presentation on our website, and of course, follow us on twitter! You can follow our chapter using the handle @AFSUW, or the officers: Jessica Rohde (President) @RockyRohde, Iris Kemp (Vice President) @IrisKemp, Megan Stachura (Secretary) @MeganStachura, and Jessie Hale (Communications Officer) @HaleJessie.  

John Stein Announced as New NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center Director

John Stein explaining the procedures used at the NWFSC to test seafood during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

John E. Stein, deputy director and current acting director of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, has been named the new permanent director of the Center; the agency announced March 7, 2012.

Stein will head the agency’s regional fisheries scientific arm, overseeing approximately 360 employees in more than six locations in Washington and Oregon. The organization’s research guides management of federal fisheries and endangered marine animals. The Center’s work ranges from protection of West Coast salmon and killer whales to ecosystem modeling and climate impacts such as ocean acidification.

Stein has been with NOAA since 1980

Since 2005 he has been an affiliate professor at the University of Washington’s department of environmental and occupational health services.

“John brings deep experience with the varied roles of the agency in marine stewardship here in the wonderful Pacific Northwest, and in the essential function of good science to help chart our way,” said Will Stelle, the fishery agency’s regional administrator in Seattle. “He also enjoys a well earned reputation as a thoughtful listener. We look forward to his strong and effective leadership of the center.”

Stein has been with NOAA’s fisheries services since 1980 and is the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific articles. He received a BS in chemistry from Central Washington University in 1974 and earned his PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Washington in 1980.  A lifetime Washington State resident, he lives in Mount Vernon.

Read more at: <http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/features/stein/stein.cfm>

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The Book Nook    

A review by Orlay Johnson of Donald Gunderson’s book, “The Rockfish’s Warning”, published by University of Washington Bookstore,  July 2011.

This is a very worthwhile read with some of the best conservation writing I’ve seen in a long time.   It is well worth the $15 price tag, upbeat when possible, and scientifically very sound.  You can buy it at the UW Bookstore, but there are some tricks, so be sure to read the last paragraph below before giving them a call or heading down there.

I should admit at the “get-go” that Don Gunderson (presently Emeritus Professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington) was one of my favorite professors at the UW and his classes were some of the best I ever took. As Don Gunderson is considered one of the world’s experts on rockfish, it is not surprising that this book is chock-full of interesting facts and figures about Sebastes and the history of their fishery.  However, the book is not geographically limited to the North Pacific as it ranges from Alaskan groundfish to tropical coral reefs and landward from coastal Washington to the drylands of Montana.

Gunderson uses this wide geographic range and his forty years of experience with fisheries and management to clearly sound the warning bell that we must change the way we use resources if we are to avoid the imminent collapse of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.  Unlike many authors, he proposes a scientifically reasonable pathway of the “soft landing” that leads towards a sustainable future – and he uses examples where sustainable management is already being implemented for this “soft landing”.

Don Gunderson thoroughly documents the overwhelming signs of impending doom, but the serious undertone of the book does find some relief through a more lighthearted discussion of rockfish past and present.  The author’s personal engagement with rockfish and their fishery (including a photo of him as a skinny researcher on a trawler in 1969) is written with a lighter touch, and is the most moving and convincing section of the book.   One wishes the other sections were similarly written with a bit more of a lighthearted touch.

However, it would be almost impossible to sustain humor when considering the reality behind much of the history of fisheries management, such as the colorfully named oceanic “pumpkin patches” that sprang up across in the nearshore water of late 1800s and early 1900s and have continued in some place until the present. The pumpkins are actually the bloated bodies of yelloweye and other rockfish discarded as bycatch in such numbers that they resembled pumpkin patches.  At the time, no one suspected that yelloweye and other rockfish could live to be 120 years old and that this wastage was devastating whole ecosystems.  This is a stunning example of human ignorance in action.  To this day, the yelloweye and other rockfish have not recovered – something that was very baffling to fisheries agencies for many years.  Now we know why.

Indeed, a lighter voice would be out of place as the book probes evolutionary biology, fisheries science, and the history of resources management.  Seeking a way of out of the resource death spiral we seem to be perpetuating, the author exposes the powerful and entrenched forces that resist sustainable management and outlines the fundamental changes that must be made if they are to be overcome. More often than not, inadequate science and short-sighted cultural systems have resulted in resource collapse and degraded ecosystems.  Nevertheless, several examples of successful resource management also exist and serve as a source of hope and guidance for the future.  Anyone interested in sustainable societies will enjoy this book.

“The Rockfish’s Warning” is also a solid entry as a classroom textbook.  The text is organized with chapters divided into four section: (1) a review of relevant evolutionary biology and biodiversity; (2) a look at the dynamics of conservation ethics in Montana; (3) an extended examination of terrestrial and aquatic natural resource management; and (4) a probing of choices and consequences relating to our future protection of natural ecosystems.

Is the “soft landing” solution Gunderson proposes likely to occur?  You’ll have to draw your own conclusions, but something similar must be implemented if we have any real hope of passing on a livable world to future generations.   

Bottomline – My advice is to buy the book and, after you’ve read it, pass it on to friends so we can get its message out to as broad an audience as possible.  Making this easier is the fact that it is only 180 pages of text and costs only $15 (a “quick and cheap” read).   However, right now it is only available at the UW bookstore (where it was published in July 2011).  Call ahead and have them hold a copy for you; twice I’ve been told either the book doesn’t exist or they don’t have a copy.  Better yet – call ahead and have them mail the book to you – shipping is free.

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Conservation Magazine –

This magazine, available both online and hard copy, has been published since 1999 by the Society of Conservation Biology but has recently moved its editorial offices to the University of Washington.  It is an independent, non-profit journal and is supported entirely by subscriptions, grants and partnerships.  They are offering a FREE one-year membership.

Click on the link below for more magazine information: http://www.conservationmagazine.org/magazine/

The magazine seems like a great buy and seems to have a mix of great photos, good writing, cutting-edge science, and definitely provocative ideas.   While the focus is on global conservation issues, they have many articles on fisheries, including the recent cover story “Chasing Rainbows” about the transplanting of our native O. mykiss around the world.  

And a free one-year subscription has to say they think you’ll like it enough to buy the next year’s subscription.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To WA-BC AFS Chapter Members:

Re: Wild Salmon Center’s report on Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, AK

I’m pleased to share with you Wild Salmon Center’s report on the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska.  As many of you know, the Pebble project is a large-scale copper, gold, and molybdenum mine proposed for the headwaters of Bristol Bay—North America’s most productive wild salmon fishery, yielding up to 40 million mature wild salmon each year. The full report, a two-page summary, and more information are now available on our website.

This report was produced in collaboration with Trout Unlimited and will be shared with stakeholders and decision makers as they assess the potential impacts of the mine on the Bristol Bay watershed.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the report.

Thank you,
Guido Rahr
President & Chief Executive

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Wild Salmon Center
The Natural Capital Center
721 NW Ninth Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR  97209
Tel:  503 222 1804Fax: 503 222 1805
www.wildsalmoncenter.org
grahr [at] wildsalmoncenter.org

See you in VICTORIA!

• Upcoming Events
• WA-BC Chapter Salmon BBQ – Thank You Party in Seattle, Jan 21, 2012
• WA-BC Chapter Annual Meeting, Victoria, May 2012
• Chapter Officer Reports
• AFS Student Subunit Activities at the University of Washington
• WA-BC Chapter Fall Retreat Report
• Updates on two of our members: Dr. Beamish and Dr. Utter
• The Surfrider Foundation: 2011 Volunteer Organization Awards
• The Book Nook – Review of “Demon Fish: Travels through the Hidden World of Sharks”
• Meetings of interest to WA-BC Chapter Members

WA-BC Fall 2011 Newsletter

WHAT — WA-BC AFS Chapter Salmon BBQ and Thank You Party!!

WHEN — Saturday, January 21, 2 PM – 8 PM, come for all or part –
salmon will be served continuously.

WHY — Let’s start off the New Year by thanking each other for all the tremendous efforts we put into our flourishing WA-BC Chapter during 2011!

WHO — All Chapter members, potential members (i.e., fisheries folks) and their families. Please spread the word to other chapter members who may not receive this email.
If you’d like to help with the BBQ or setup, contact Eric Knudsen at ericknudsen [at] gci.net .

WHERE — MAGNUSON PARK in Seattle in the Wedgewood and Viewridge Rooms of the new Seattle Parks and Recreation facility Bldg. 406 (“The Brig”), at Magnuson Park in northeast Seattle. NE 74th St, Seattle (Off Sand Point Way. See detailed map ).
It is right in front of the pea patch and the off-lease dog area.

ACTIVITIES — Magnuson is a large park on Lake Washington: there are tennis courts, indoor beach and outdoor volleyball, off-lease dog areas, walking trails, indoor soccer, kayaking (bring your own or rent), plus the Mountaineers headquarters with climbing walk. You can even swim, but bring a wet suit.

How Much — FREE, but donations and potluck encouraged to help defray costs.
You can come all day (and play volleyball or walk in the park) or just drop by for a quick burger and liquid refreshment. But come by and meet our new officers and other new members.
We’ll have lots of salmon fillets and plenty of keg beer. The Chapter will also supply soft drinks and utensils. If everyone brings a potluck side dish, munchies, or dessert to share, the eats will be great!

DID WE MENTION THE FREE SALMON FILETS?
If you are coming from out of town and need a place to stay overnight, email Orlay.Johnson [at] noaa.gov and we will see if we can find a place to put you up.

11/16/2011 (3 – 5 p.m.):  one booth set-up assistant

11/17/2011 (10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.):  one primary a.m. shift person

                      (1:30 – 5 p.m.):  one primary p.m. shift person

11/18/2011 (10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.):  one primary a.m. shift person

                       (1:30 – 5:00 p.m.):  one primary p.m. person

11/19/2011 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.):  one full-day shift person

                       (2:30 – 4:30 p.m.):  one tear-down/delivery assistant

This is a great way to become/stay involved in your WA-BC Chapter!  We need your help to make our booth a success at this well-attended event, so sign up a.s.a.p.!  Thank you.

August 2011 Newsletter for the

WA-BC Chapter of AFS

THE BIG SEATTLE ANNUAL MEETING ISSUE

Editors:   Orlay Johnson, Communications Director ( orlay.johnson [at] noaa.gov ) and Stephanie M Caballero, Assist. Newsletter Editor ( scaballero [at] fs.fed.us )

September 4-8, 2011 – The AFS Annual Meeting is in Seattle this summer and is the largest ever in the 141-year history of the Society!  There are 24-29 concurrent sessions to choose from EACH day, and over 90 symposia (listed at the end of our newsletter) total.  These symposia are of local, regional, and global interest, with many having a WA-BC Chapter member as an organizer.  To help you navigate through this great selection, AFS has instituted a new feature this year, the Personal Scheduler software.  The link to the personal scheduler, along with links to the complete program, daily program tables, and the “Schedule at a Glance”, can be found at:  http://afs2011.org/program/.

If you haven’t done so yet, you can still submit your registration and get information on all the many programs, events, symposia, and lodging and sight-seeing options: http://afs2011.org/

Left:  Larry Dominguez (left) and Cleve Steward, General Co-Chairs of 2011 Annual Meeting.  Right: Alki Beach site of the Salmon Spawning Run on September 7^th, 6-10am.

 Index for this Issue of the WA-BC Newsletter

Program Co-chairs Craig Busack (left) and Dave Ward attempting to escape Seattle on their bicycles after facilitating the largest program in the 141-year history of AFS

• 2011 AFS Annual Meeting in Seattle
• Upcoming Chapter Events
• Sept 5^th – WA-BC Business Meeting – RSVP by August 23^rd.
• Fall — 2011 WA-BC EXCOM Retreat – all members welcome
• May 15-18 – 2012 meeting of WA-BC Chapter in Victoria
• Newly Elected Officers
  • Brian Missildine – Vice President Elect
  • Emily Pizzichemi – Treasurer Elect
  • Chris Clark – Student Representative to the Executive Committee
• UW Sub Chapter News
• UW Hatchery program ending – do you have any stories about your experiences as a student you would like to share in the next Newsletter
• Officer Reports
  • President – Mark Pedersen
  • Past President – Jim Shannon – The Last Cast is Bitter-Sweet
  • Secretary – Lisa Harlan
  • President-Elect – Mark Celedonia
• Don’t forget the Spawning Run Sept 7^th, 6-10AM at Alki Beach
• List of Symposia at the 2011 AFS Annual Meeting

Upcoming WA-BC Chapter Events

WA-BC Business Meeting and Free Luncheon
Monday, Sept 5^th
RSVP by August 23^rd for the free lunch 

Yes, Virginia, there is a free lunch – but only if you RSVP by August 23^rd.

The Chapter Annual Business Meeting will be held on Monday Sept. 5th, 12-1:15pm in WSCC Room 2AB during the Annual Meeting of the AFS Parent Society in Seattle, WA. The agenda includes Chapter updates, annual awards, and other Chapter business. All WA-BC members are invited to attend. Lunch will be provided free of charge to all WA-BC members in good standing who have paid the $5 Chapter annual dues for 2011.  WA-BC members who have paid AFS 2011 dues but not Chapter 2011 dues must pay $5 for lunch.

Non-chapter members and guests may attend for a fee of $15.  Non-chapter student members may attend for a fee of $13. Please RSVP to Lisa Harlan (lharlan [at] smith-root.com) if you have not already registered online through the conference website. The cutoff date is August 23 in order to receive a lunch. Thanks!

2012 meeting of WA-BC Chapter in Victoria, BC

May 15-18

The Washington-British Columbia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is pleased to invite you to save the date for our annual conference to be held in Victoria, British Columbia on May 15^th-18^th, 2012.  This conference will be held in partnership with the Society for Ecological Restoration, Northwest and British Columbia Chapters, and the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at the University of Victoria http://web.uvic.ca/enweb/community/restoration/

More details will be forthcoming in future WA-BC Chapter Newsletter and on the Chapter website.

2011 WA-BC EXCOM Retreat to be held this fall

Every year, about the time the big leaf maples start changing colors and the salmon start their upstream migrations, the WA-BC Chapter’s Executive Committee (EXCOM) gets together for a one-day retreat.  The purpose of the retreat is to orient new EXCOM members to the workings of the Chapter, to get to know one another a bit better, and to chart the course for the upcoming year.  We usually go over our budget and spending plan, discuss planning needs for the upcoming Chapter Annual General Meeting, and generally brainstorm and discuss things that we hope to accomplish, as well as action plans for accomplishing them.  General members interested in becoming more involved in the Chapter are very welcome to join us.  We have yet to nail down a time and place for this year’s retreat, but we expect it will be in late-September or early-October.  Stay tuned for details.

Newly Elected Officers for 2011-2012

Brian Missildine, Vice President Elect

Brian works as a Senior Fisheries Scientist for Skillings Connolly, Inc.  He has been involved in fisheries issues for over 15 years, both in the private and federal sectors.  In those 15 years, Brian has worked at hatcheries, on research teams investigating bull trout and Chinook salmon, and with Endangered Species Act-related issues.  He has also been the lead author on a peer-reviewed research article that was published in Environmental Science and Technology, and he has also written an editorial for Fisheries.  Brian has been an AFS member for 5 years and was involved in the 2009 AGM.  He is now serving as the Committee Chair for the Social Responsibility Committee for the upcoming AFS Annual Meeting in Seattle.  His goals as a Vice-President are to keep the WA-BC Chapter’s momentum from the previous several years moving forward into 2012 and beyond, as well as increasing member involvement in the WA-BC Chapter.

Brian Missildine, MES; FP-C
Senior Fisheries Scientist
Skillings Connolly Inc.
5016 Lacey Blvd
Lacey, WA 98503
360-491-3399
www.skillings.com

Emily Pizzichemi, Treasurer Elect

Emily Pizzichemi is the Treasurer Elect for the WA-BC Chapter.  Emily is a 2010 graduate of Dartmouth College and her career experience includes:  electrofishing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, SCUBA diving in the coral reefs of the Cayman Islands, working on a trout fishery in sub-alpine Costa Rica, and macroinvertebrate and plankton sampling in New England.  Emily is currently a junior scientist at Anchor QEA, LLC where she has worked on projects involving underwater acoustics, wetland assessment, population projection modeling, and snorkel surveying. Emily is eager to begin her role as Treasurer and her goals include being timely with reports and budget updates, developing rules and procedures that pertain to this office, and infusing her position with her experience, knowledge, positive outlook, and energy.

Chris Clark, Student Representative to the Executive Committee

Chris is looking forward to becoming involved in the Executive Committee.

He is currently a student at Western Washington University (College of Huxley, Environmental Sciences).  He co-founded the Western Washington University AFS Student Chapter and has been an AFS member since fall 2009.  Chris has been working in the marine environment for over 10 years, and he is dedicated to obtaining his B.Sc. and then his M.S. in Estuary Science.  He is particularly interested in the chemical properties of estuaries, as well as the survival rates of juvenile salmonids and steelhead kelts within the estuary.  Chris’ past experiences in the field of fisheries are diverse, ranging from being a deckhand on commercial fishing boats in the Bering Sea (halibut, pot cod, and crab) and on the Washington and Oregon coasts (tuna) to monitoring freshwater escapements and GIS habitat analysis.

Officer Reports

President’s Report

As Chapter President, I have been very busy the past few months at several levels of AFS activity:  the 2011 AFS Annual Meeting, Western Division actions, Chapter activities, and helping foster the development of our students.

I couldn’t be more proud of our many Chapter members who have spent countless hours organizing all the different aspects of the 2011 AGM.  Special thanks to Cleve Stewart, Larry Dominguez, and Eric Knudsen for leading the charges. I personally had the privilege to line up our conference ambassadors: 19 high level politicians and leaders involved in Pacific NW fisheries; and I secured consensus and signatures on a letter of greeting from the Mayor of Seattle, Director of WDFW, and Governor of Washington for the 2011 program.  I also helped with fund raising and, with the assistance of Eric Knudsen, secured Alaska Airlines as a major sponsor and the official airline of the 2011 conference.

In collaboration with our Executive Committee and the Western Division of AFS, I coordinated distribution of several thousand dollars in scholarships to our WA-BC Chapter students, 3 from British Columbia and 3 from Washington, so far.  Special thanks to John Morgan at Vancouver Island University for receiving and reviewing all the applications!

We have been very pleased with the progress of our two Student Chapters at the University of Washington and Western Washington University.  The officers of these sub-units are very enthusiastic and participation has been high at their meetings.  We have been in contact with advisors at Evergreen State College and Washington State University to gauge their interest in establishing sub-units at these institutions.

We are now in the final stages of planning for our 2011 WA-BC Chapter Business Meeting to be held on Monday, September 5^th from Noon-1: 15pm at the Washington State Convention Center (Room 2AB).  At this meeting, we will introduce our new Chapter Officers, which include:  Vice President-Elect Brian Missildine; Treasurer-elect Emily Pizzichemi; and Student Representative Christopher Clark.  Jim Shannon will be leaving the Executive Committee (EXCOM) after serving many years in virtually all our key positions, so we want to thank him for his service and encourage his future involvement in the Chapter.

I look forward to welcoming all the WA-BC Chapter members to our upcoming Business Meeting and to seeing you all enjoy the best AFS annual meeting ever!

- Mark Pedersen

Past President’s Last Cast is Bitter-sweet

Being a part of the Planning Committee for AFS 2011 Seattle is a sweet way to end my tenure on the AFS Executive Committee.  I am really looking forward to the start of the conference and, particularly, to two events that I have been involved in planning:  the Spawning Run and the Student Career Fair.  The Spawning Run is a 5k run/walk.  This year’s run will be held in West Seattle along the Alki Beach Trail.  Beautiful views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound will help you along to the finish line.  Please register for the race when you register for the conference.  The Seattle Aquarium Student Career Fair is happening on Tuesday, September 6^th from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  If your company or organization is interested in having a table to reach out to future aquatic scientists, then please contact me (jshannon [at] anchorqea.com).  AFS 2011 Seattle also signifies the end of my time on the WA-BC Executive Committee and, thus, is bitter.  All the relationships and friendships I have made over the past years have been priceless.  I will miss being involved in the day-to-day operations and planning that is making the WA-BC Chapter of AFS a great organization.  However, I plan to stay involved.  I have a few more action items to get to for the good of the Chapter.  Hope to see you in Seattle.

- Jim Shannon
Senior Scientist
ANCHOR QEA, LLC
jshannon [at] anchorqea.com
206-601-1554

Whatever you do, don’t forget the

Secretary Lisa Harlan’s Report

I continue to take minutes at the Executive Committee teleconferences and post them on the WA-BC Chapter website under the “About Us” tab (check it out – it’s a great way to keep up with what’s happening!).   Serving on the Social Responsibility Committee for the conference in Seattle has been my other main focus for Chapter business.  Our committee is working very hard to make this conference as environmentally responsible as possible and will be taking it one step further by hosting a “Sustainability” booth at the Trade Show.  Stop by and learn more ways in which you can help reduce harmful impacts to the planet.  My term continues for another year and I am really looking forward to working with the incoming officers, but I’ll miss the folks they are replacing – Jim, Erin, and Nicole!

President-Elect Mark Celedonia’s Report

I have been occupied almost exclusively with the upcoming Seattle AFS Parent Society Annual Meeting.  As a member of the Accommodations Committee, my main functions have been to maintain the “Schedule at a Glance” and to ensure that ancillary meetings (like our WA-BC Chapter Business Meeting Luncheon, Continuing Education classes, Section meetings, etc.) are booked into the appropriate rooms.  These roles have required extensive communication with the conference planning committees, the ancillary meeting leads, and the hotel and conference center personnel.  By default, I end up helping to iron out discrepancies and ensuring that everyone’s meeting or event needs are met.  The emails right now are boundless – as I’m sure they are for most, if not all, members of the Planning Committee.  In addition, I have been planning the WA-BC Business Meeting Luncheon, and I’m in the early stages of planning for the 2011 WA-BC Chapter Executive Committee Retreat.  I have also reviewed scholarship applications from students seeking financial assistance to attend the Seattle Annual Meeting.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone in Seattle!! 

News of the University of Washington Sub Chapter

All of us in the University of Washington AFS Student Sub-unit are eagerly looking forward to the national meeting, as, for many of us, this will be our first national AFS meeting.  Things have slowed down during the summer with many of our members out for their field season, but we are ready to hit the ground running come September with our new EXCOM, lead by President-Elect Jessica Rhode, formerly our communications officer.  One of our favorite activities last year was our first Career Development Seminar Series, and we are excited about resuming this series with a NGO representative who will discuss opportunities for fisheries students.  To keep abreast of our activities and events, please visit us on Facebook (American Fisheries Society University of Washington Student Chapter) or at our website (http://students.washington.edu/afsuw/news.html).  Lastly, as outgoing University of Washington AFS president, I would like to thank everyone for helping to make this a wonderful opportunity.  See you in Seattle!

Caroline Storer
2010-11 UW AFS President

UW Alums, the Fisheries Hatchery Program is Closing

Due to ageing equipment, rising water temps in Portage Bay, and lack of research programs –  the UW Hatchery will soon see its last fish.  As many AFS members were students, TA’s or techs at the hatchery, we would like to honor the memory of this institution by sharing some of your experiences, photos, and memories of what the hatchery meant to you.  If you would like, please send them to our Communications Director Orlay Johnson at Orlay.Johnson [at] noaa.gov and we will publish them in the next edition of the WA-BC Chapter Newsletter.

Finally — Don’t forget the Spawning Run – as much fun as anyone can have at 6AM at Alki Beach!

• Weds, Sept 7 6:00–10:00 A.M.
• Where: Alki Beach Park West Seattle  • Cost: $25 with T-shirt
•  Registration at Spawning Run booth until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday Sept. 6th

The $25 registration includes transportation to and from the Spawning Run and a themed tech t-shirt. Hope to see you at the starting line. Contact Jim Shannon for more information jshannon [at] anchorqea.com .

Info is also here: http://wabc-afs.org/2011/08/2011-afs-spawning-run/

List of Symposia at the 2011 AFS Annual Meeting

Program Co-chairs Craig Busack and Dave Ward have facilitated the organization of AFS’s largest program ever with 24-29 concurrent sessions of symposia and contributed papers to choose from each day of the conference.  These symposia are focused on diverse and critical topics of regional, national, and global interest.  Personal scheduler software, a new feature of this year’s AFS Annual Meeting, is available online to help you navigate through the many offerings and plan your time.  The link to the personal scheduler, along with links to the complete program, daily program tables, and the “Schedule at a Glance”, can be found at:  http://afs2011.org/program/.    The program includes an unprecedented 95 symposia, listed below, ranging from 0.25 to 2 days in length.  The symposium titles are listed below, and a complete searchable listing of all program offerings is available at:  http://afs.confex.com/afs/2011/webprogram/start.html.

List of All Symposia

• Using Models to Evaluate Predator/Prey Balance (or Imbalance) In the Great Lakes Ecosystems
• Riverscape: Synoptic, High-Resolution Mapping and Modeling of Biophysical Attributes and Interactions in Riverine Environments
• Incorporating Estimates of Survival, Biological Diversity, and Spatial Distribution into Salmonid Life-Cycle Models
• Parameters That Aren’t: Time-Varying Effects in Stock Assessment
• Riverscape Ecology: Theory and Application for Understanding and Conserving Lotic Fishes
• Marine Derived Nutrients in Freshwater Systems – Anadromous Fishes and the Nutrient Cycle
• Food and Space Revisited: Drift-Foraging Ecology and Habitat Selection
• Connecting Climate Science to Fisheries Management and Ecology in a Changing World
• Comparative Analysis of Marine Fisheries and Ecosystems
• Potential Effects of Ocean Acidification on Fisheries and Other Marine Resources
• Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Native Species Restoration: Technical and Regulatory Challenges
• Conservation of Organisms in Dendritic Systems
• Fisheries and Hard Rock Mining
• American Shad of the Pacific Coast: A Benign Introduction or Harmful Invasive Species?
• Collaborative Fisheries Research Fellowship: Leading the Way in Building Conservation Engineering Capacity and Assessing e-Learning Strategies
• Challenges in Managing Marine & Estuarine Recreational Fisheries
• What Influences Fisheries Production? Comparing the Effects of Environmental, Fishing, and Food Web Forcing Across Large Marine Ecosystems
• San Francisco Estuary: A Dynamic Confluence of Fisheries, Policy, and Resource Management
• Impacts of Oil Spill Disasters on the Biology of Marine Fisheries: From Exxon Valdez to Deepwater Horizon
• Assessing the Role of Marine Protected Areas in Restoring, Sustaining, and/or Enhancing Fisheries
• Global Conservation, Trophic Relationships and Ecology of Forage Fish in Marine Ecosystems
• Effects of Renewable Energy Installations on Marine Ecosystems
• Larval Dispersal, Population Connectivity and the Management of Marine Species
• The Biology, Ecology, and Management of Summer Flounder
• Life History Variability in Marine Fish: Climate and Fishing Induced Controls
• Management of Elasmobranch Fisheries: Sustainability, Conservation, and Regulation of Global Trade
• Human Influence on Connectivity and Population Structure for River Fishes
• Leading Edge Tools for Investigative Fish Science
• Innovations in Electrofishing Technology and Techniques
• Challenges in Monitoring Outmigrating Juvenile Salmonids.
• Improving Survey Methods for Monitoring Recreational Fishing Effort and Catch
• Alternative Survey Strategies: Technology, Research, Methods and Applicability
• Using Acoustic Telemetry Techniques to Estimate Fish Survival and Behavior
• One Fish, Two Fish: Using Fixed Electronic Fish Counting Systems for Real Time Monitoring of Freshwater Species
• Far-Reaching Technologies: International Technical Programs for the Conservation and Improvement of Aquatic Ecosystems
• Protecting Fish at Power Plant Cooling Water Intakes: New Developments and Science on Clean Water Act §316(b)
• Conservation Genetics and Genomics in Fisheries
• Chemical Signatures of Otoliths and Application in Fisheries
• Ecology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases in Populations of Wild Fish
• Cognitive, Sensory, and Behavioral Frontiers Exploring Fish Movement and Habitat Use
• The Effects of Semi-Intensive Aquaculture on Biodiversity in Nearshore and Inland Waters
• Incorporating Genetic Data into Population Introduction Programs
• Hatchery Nutrition: Feeding Fish for Tomorrow’s Changing World
• Nature-Like Fishways: Design, Assessment & Monitoring
• Reflections on Forest Management; Can Fish and Fiber Coexist?
• Initial Implementation of the San Joaquin River Settlement Agreement to Restore Chinook Salmon to the San Joaquin River, California.
• Investigating the World of Lamprey Biology and Ecology
• Crayfish in Western North America: Research Opportunities and Management Challenges
• New Frontiers in the Management, Status, and Biology of Western Native Freshwater Fishes
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Gobies in North America: Conservation Concerns in a Changing World
• Biology and Management of Walleye and Sauger: Status and Needs
• Environmental Flow Applications in the Management of Hydroelectric Dams: Science, Policy, and Management
• Great Lakes Fisheries Management and Policy: A Binational Perspective
• The National Fish Habitat Action Plan: Progress, Partnerships, and Next Steps in Protecting, Restoring and Enhancing Sustainable Fisheries in North America
• Global Fisheries: Balancing Overfishing and Food Production
• Rigorous Adaptive Management Approaches to Benefit Fish Populations and Aquatic Ecosystems
• Evaluating Effects of Sportfishing Regulations: What Have We Done and What Can We Do Better?
• Managing Diversity in a Changing World
• Long-Term Monitoring Strategies for Large River Systems; Providing a Long-Term Context to Fish Management Strategies
• Frontiers in Fisheries Science Leadership
• Improving the Quality of Research and Management of Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife: Examples from Two Decades of Independent Scientific Review
• Colonization and Reintroduction of Anadromous Salmonids
• Variation in Age and Size at Maturation in Salmonids: Causes and Consequences.
• Coastal Cutthroat Trout Symposium: Research, Status, and Conservation
• Salmon Spawning Levels and Ecosystem Connections
• Juvenile Salmon Ecology and Ecosystem Restoration in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary
• Northern Exposure: The Ecology and Conservation of Charr Species
• Factors Contributing to the Population Resilience of Anadromous and Resident Salmonids
• Iteroparity in Steelhead Trout: Managing for a Diversity of Reproductive Life History Characteristics
• Conservation and Management of Kokanee, the Little O. nerka, In an Altered and Changing Landscape
• Pacific Salmon Recovery, Planning and Implementation
• Sockeye on the Brink-Can Good Fisheries Management Maintain and Restore Sockeye Stocks in the Pacific Northwest?
• Advances in Data Management and Dissemination: The View from the Edge of a New Frontier
• Ecosystem Modeling: Joint Modeling of Human Behavior and Fish Populations; Ecosystem Models to Address Fishery Management Needs
• Climate Change and Pacific Salmonids
• Can Aquatic Resources Survive Global Climate Change and Humanity’s Best Intentions?
• Setting Realistic Goals for Species and Habitat Restoration in Aquatic Systems: Examples from Great Lakes and Pacific Coast Ecosystems
• Effective Fish Habitat Conservation: Assessment, Protection, and Rehabilitation
• Science and Strategies for Conservation of Land and Stream Flows through Acquisition, Exchange and Other Financial Incentives
• Fisheries Education & Outreach: Collaborations That Inspire and Empower Students, Teachers and the Public to Be Responsible Advocates for Aquatic Resources
• Design and Implementation of Catch Shares in U.S. Commercial Fisheries
• Advances in Coastal Atlases, Habitat Mapping, and Habitat Assessment Science to Support Fisheries and Ecosystem Decisions
• The Cutting Edge of Bycatch Management: Science, Policy and Engineering
• Evolutionary Ecology, Plasticity, and Adaptability of Fish Life Histories: a Symposium in Two Parts
• Nature and Nurture: Local Adaptation, Life History Diversity, and Salmonid Conservation
• Using Hydroacoustic Telemetry to Understand Movement and Ecology of Critical Species
• Recent Advances in Hydroacoustic Assessment of Fish Populations Using “Fixed” Hydroacoustic Technologies
• Advances in Hydroacoustic Assessment of Fish and Underwater Habitat Using “Mobile” Hydroacoustic Technologies
• Electronic Frontiers in Fisheries Management – Log Books and Real Time Fishery Information Systems – Case Studies and Issues
• Fish Passage through Turbines: What Do We Know and Where Are We Going
• High Head Reservoirs – A Black Box? What Do We Know about Fish Growth, Behavior, Distribution, Survival, and Passage Timing in These Reservoirs
• Fish Passage Restoration on Rivers and Streams
• Fish Passage Monitoring- Build It and They Will Come: Measuring Success of Fish Passage Enhancements
• Stocking Conservation Issues: Integrative Methods in Recreational Fisheries; Science and Policy of Fish Propagation

beauty

When: Wednesday, September 7
6:00–10:00 A.M.

Where: Alki Beach Park Waterfront, West Seattle

Cost: $25 with T-shirt

Registration: Last-minute at Spawning Run booth until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday Sept. 6th

We expect this year’s run to be the biggest ever, so tie up those sneakers to make AFS history! Online registrants (that registered for the run during the online conference registration) must pre-register upon arrival in Seattle at the Spawning Run Booth in the Convention Center. Last-minute registrants will be able to register at the Spawning Run Booth until 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 6th. All online registrants will receive a themed tech t-shirt; however, last minute-registrants will not be guaranteed a shirt since all shirts will be ordered prior to the meeting and thus extra shirts will be handed out on a first-registered-first-served basis. At the Spawning Run Booth, all participants will receive a race packet outlining details of the race, their shirt, and will be given exact details about transportation to the race site. We’ll be bussed from the Convention Center to the starting line at Alki Beach Park on the morning of the race starting at about 6–6:30 a.m., and the 5-kilometer (3.1 mile) race will start at about 7:00 a.m. Runners wishing to travel to the starting line themselves should ask for information during pre-registration at the Spawning Run Booth.

Healthy, runner-friendly snacks and beverages (sorry, no beer tickets) will be provided at the starting line and a water station will be located mid-race. The top 3 finishers in each age and gender category will receive prizes, with a “special” prize for the top finisher in each of the age/gender cohorts: <29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, and 60 years or older.

Come on out for a morning stroll, relaxing jog, or high-intensity race (whatever suits your fancy), fill your lungs with the fresh, salt-soaked morning air of Puget Sound, and energize yourself with the natural beauty of the Seattle area! Contact Jim Shannon for more detatils. jshannon [at] anchorqea.com

2011_Spawning Run_map

Let us know who you think deserves an award this year!
Nominations for the Chapter awards should include name, affiliation, and contact information of both nominee and nominator, and a brief paragraph describing why the nominee deserves the award. Nominations should be sent to Jim Shannon (jshannon [at] anchorqea.com) by August 1, 2011.

Winners will be named and honored with public recognition at the WA-BC Chapter business meeting Monday September 5th, 12-1:15 at the Parent Society meeting in Seattle, WA. Winners also receive a trophy, plaque, or certificate to proudly display in their workplace or wherever they choose.

ANNUAL WA-BC AWARDS:

Haig Brown Award: Established in 1981 to recognize those who have produced outstanding, non-technical articles or publications on any aspect of fishery management, research, habitat protection, enhancement, or other related fields. Presented to an individual or agency who best exemplifies the journalistic spirit in his book The Western Angler: Hand in hand with preserving and improving the fishery must go the work of presenting it properly to the public. The Haig-Brown Award consists of a perpetual trophy, small sculpture, and a $US 100.00 check.

Worthy Coelacanth Award: First presented in 1984, the award goes to a senior member (over 55 years young) of the WA-BC Chapter who has made an outstanding contribution to fisheries management and science.

Volunteer Organization: For a volunteer organization that has made exemplary contributions to fisheries conservation, education, or science.

The Fish Gaffe: This award recognizes the most noteworthy faux pas by a Chapter member each year. [The first recipient was Jeff Cederholm for his outstanding collection of self-inflicted typos in a previous AGM agenda. Currently Larry Dominguez is going for his 3rd consecutive Gaffe].

Certificate of Appreciation: For a member, non-member, or organization who has significantly contributed to the betterment of the Chapter or its activities.

Certificate of Achievement: For a Chapter member who has demonstrated significant professional achievement, consistent with AFS goals and policies.

Conservation Organization of the Year: For an organization that has significantly contributed to a program or activity for conservation of fishery resources or habitats.

Meritorious Service: Awarded to a Chapter member who has made substantial contributions to the success of the Chapter.

Tommy Brayshaw Junior Conservation Award: Established in 1995, presented to someone 16 years or younger who has meaningfully involved in some form of fish conservation work.

Please send an email to elections [at] wabc-afs.org and indicate the position and the name of the person you are selecting for each open position. You may write in a name of a candidate not listed below if you desire. Your vote will only be read by our Communications Officer, Orlay Johnson, and will not be shared with anyone else. Voting closes on June 6.

VP Candidate

Vice President: (Brian Missildine or Write-in) Hi Washington-British Columbia AFS members. My name is Brian Missildine . I am a Senior Scientist at Skillings Connolly Inc. and I am running for VP of our chapter. I have been involved with fisheries issues for over 15 years, 10 of those years were with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the other four in the private sector. In those 15 years I have had the opportunity to work at hatcheries, work on research teams investigating bull trout and Chinook salmon, and work with the Endangered Species Act. I was also fortunate enough during this time frame to be the lead author on a peer-reviewed research article that was published in Environmental Science and Technology as well as writing an editorial for Fisheries.

I have been a member of AFS for about 5 years and am a Certified Fisheries Professional. During those 5 years I have been involved with the 2009 AGM in Shelton and am the committee chair for the Social Responsibility committee for the upcoming 2011 AFS meeting in Seattle. I am excited about the opportunity to showcase our chapter and the great Pacific Northwest in the upcoming 2011 AFS meeting in Seattle. As VP I want to continue to build on the momentum our chapter has established in the last several years. Furthermore, I have always enjoyed being involved in fisheries issues, and what a better way to continue something I enjoy. I look forward to meeting and working with you and for you in the future, and thank you for considering me as your next Vice President.

Treasurer

Treasurer: (Emily Pizzichemi or Write-in) My name is Emily Pizzichemi and I am running for the office of Treasurer for our Washington-British Columbia chapter of the American Fisheries Society. I have been a competitive swimmer for 15 years and my passion for the water extends beyond the pool and into all areas of my life, including my career. I spent a field season electro-fishing in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, three months SCUBA-diving the coral reefs of the Cayman Islands studying the mating and foraging behaviors of the local fauna, three months assisting on a trout fishery in sub-alpine Costa Rica, and almost three years collecting macroinvertebrate and plankton samples from freshwater streams in New England.
As a 2010 graduate of Dartmouth College specializing in biology, ecology and evolution, and environmental science, I am currently working as a junior scientist at AnchorQEA, LLC in Seattle. During my time with the firm, I have collected underwater acoustic measurements in Olympia, assessed wetlands in the Puget Sound area, run population projection models on salmonids in the Chehalis River, and I am in the middle of an eight-month fish snorkel survey in Elliott Bay. I have gained much knowledge of the Endangered Species Act and Pacific salmon life history in particular. This is only my first year as a member of AFS, but I plan to infuse the office of Treasurer with my experience, knowledge, positive outlook, and energy. As your Treasurer, I promise to be timely with reports and budget updates and develop the rules and procedures that pertain to the office. Thank you for your time and consideration! I look forward to meeting all of you at our annual meeting in the Emerald City, my town of Seattle!

Student Representative

Student Representative: (Christopher Clark or Write-in) Hello! My name is Christopher Clark, I am currently a student at Western Washington University (College of Huxley, Environmental Sciences). I seek the position of American Fisheries Society (AFS) Student Subunit Representative. My interest in representing the AFS Washington and British Columbia Chapter student members has been ongoing. I co-founded the Western Washington University AFS student chapter and look forward to continued engagement of our local student body. Through this position I aim to cultivate communications and interactions between student members, non-profit organizations, and professionals. I have been an AFS member since the fall of 2009. I have been working within the marine environment for over 10 years now and am dedicated to obtaining my BSc and then my MS in Estuary Science. I am particularly interested in the chemical properties of estuaries as well as the survival rates of juvenile salmonids and steelhead kelts within the estuary. My past experiences with fisheries are diverse; they range from salt water commercial fisheries to monitoring freshwater escapements and currently GIS habitat analysis.
Credentials:
• AAS of Environmental Sciences. Whatcom Community College, Bellingham WA. March 2010. GPA 3.8, Deans list Scholar.
• 2010-2011 Currently an intern for Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) developing, and organizing GIS analysis of data for the Washington Steelhead Management Plan.
• 2010 Scientific Technician II for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Collected spawning survey data for Steelhead and Chinook on the Methow and Twisp Rivers.
• 2009-2010 Spawning Surveyor for Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Group (NSEA).
• 2009 Deckhand on commercial fishing boat in the Bering Sea. Fished halibut long line, pot cod and crab.
• 2008 Deckhand on a commercial tuna fishing boat off of the coast of Washington and Oregon.

Contents of Spring Newsletter

• AFS Annual Meeting coming to Seattle this September
• Chapter Officer Reports
  • President Mark G. Pedersen
  • President-Elect Mark Celedonia
  • Vice President Yvonne Muirhead
  • Past-President Jim Shannon
  • Treasurer Erin Lowery
  • Secretary Lisa Harlan
  • Communications Officer Orlay Johnson
  • Chapter Student Representative Nicole Casper
• Chapter Student Activities at WWU and UW
• Workshop on Understanding Climate Change
• Fish In the News (FIN) Frankenfish: A visioning exercise by Dr. Fred Utter.
• The Book Nook – A review of Douglas Brinkley’s “The Wilderness Warrior, Theodore Roosevelt and the Crusade for America.”

The following descriptions are for the open offices. More information about ExComm activities can be found at our website www.wabc-afs.org and you are welcome to contact any ExComm members for questions about offices. Your profile will be on the WA-BC website. Voting will be electronic. The term of these positions officially begin after the parent society meeting in September.

• The Vice-President is the Chairperson of the Membership Committee, assists the Program Chairperson, and perform other duties as assigned and as described in the Chapter Procedures. The Vice President advances to the office of President-Elect at the end of the term. The President-Elect ascends to President one year later, and at the end of that year assumes the post of Past-President for one year. Thus, if you run for Vice-President, you are committing to 4 years on the ExComm.
• The Treasurer shall collect and be custodian of Chapter funds; disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Committee or membership; manage the Chapter budget; submit a fiscal report at the annual Chapter business meeting; and discharge other fiscal duties that may be required by the Executive Director of the American Fisheries Society and officers of the Western Division, and as described in the Chapter procedures This is a 2 year position.
• The Student Subunit Representative represents all WA-BC Chapter student members. This is a 1 year position.