• 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.

Newsletter WA-BC Chapter — American Fisheries Society

Fall, 2010

Check out these exciting events in our fall edition!

National Headlines:

WA-BC Named AFS Chapter of the Year!

American Fisheries Society meeting is in Seattle September of next year!

Chapter news

WA-BC Chapter Exhibiting at 2010 Pacific Marine Expo Nov 18-20, 2010

Student Involvement Opportunity with the Western Division of AFS

Ad Hoc Committees – What a great way to Network and serve the Chapter!

WA-BC Chapter sponsors USFWS Youth Fisheries Academy day camps

Regional news of interest to fisheries biologists

Dr. Usha Varanasi, Director of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and a friend of WA-BC Chapter retires!

UW closing Seattle campus research hatchery

Smith-Root to offer free Electrofishing Class – sort of

Biographies of our Chapter Officers for the 2010-2011

The Last Word from President-Elect Mark Celedonia

Note: Checkout upcoming meetings and events on Chapter webpage. Send an email to Orlay Johnson (<Orlay.Johnson [at] noaa.gov>) if you would like us to add your event to the list.

WA-BC Named Chapter of the Year!

Because we were selected as the Chapter of the Year for the Western Division, our application was automatically forwarded to the parent society (US and Canada) level. The review process is complete, and the AFS Parent Society has deemed the WA-BC Chapter to be the best of the best – we won the 2010 Chapter of the Year Award for chapters with more than 100 members!

The award recognizes outstanding professionalism, active resource protection, and enhancement programs, as well as a strong commitment to the mission of the Society. The Washington-British Columbia chapter was selected in recognition of its accomplishments in the areas of Aquatic Stewardship, Information Transfer and Outreach, and Member Services.

Congratulations to each and every one of you! The award was presented to out-going Chapter President Jim Shannon at the AFS Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, during the business meeting (Tues, Sep 14, 3:30-5:30). If you were in Pittsburgh, we hope you were able to join in the celebration! Check out the YouTube: http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp55YA1dhxM&feature=email.

American Fisheries Society Anunal Meeting is in Seattle

September 4 – 8, 2011

Website: http://www.fisheries.org/afs2011/

Set your sights on attending next year’s Annual Meeting in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. With its focus on New Frontiers in Fisheries Management and Ecology: Leading the Way in a Changing World, the conference will provide a wonderful opportunity for fisheries professionals to meet, exchange information, catch up with friends, and find inspiration.

AFS President Wayne Hubert, Meeting Co-Chairs Cleve Steward and Larry Dominguez, and Program Co-Chairs Craig Busack and Dave Ward invite you to attend the 2011 AFS Annual Meeting at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. With magnificent Puget Sound at its doorstep and Mount Rainier and the towering Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges visible in the distance, the Emerald City offers both scenic splendor and myriad recreational opportunities. The Convention Center is within walking distance of the vibrant Seattle waterfront, with its jumble of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and the world famous Pike Place Farmers Market. There are a multitude of shopping venues, sights, and experiences to enjoy when not engaged in meeting activities. You’ll want to extend your stay to allow time to visit Puget Sound, the rugged Olympic peninsula, and other fabulous nearby destinations.

The 2011 AFS Annual Meeting Annual will provide a unique forum for participants to explore the many multidisciplinary aspects of fisheries science and management. In addition to the high caliber and eclectic mix of symposia, contributed papers, and poster sessions for which AFS meetings are known, the 2011 meeting will feature a broad range of technical, social, and legal topics that are of national and international interest, including measures to recover from massive human-made and weather-related catastrophes, to ensuring the long-term sustainability of fisheries resources. Regional topics will highlight efforts to protect and clean up Puget Sound and address emerging issues related to the Columbia River, salmon recovery and watershed management. We encourage those involved or interested in fisheries science and management, marine and freshwater habitat protection, or fisheries-related recreation to contribute to this important meeting.Support AFS and indulge yourself by coming to Seattle next September. We guarantee your experience will be a memorable one.

Chapter News:

WA-BC Chapter Exhibiting at 2010 Pacific Marine Expo Nov 18-20, 2010

Our Chapter will have a booth at the 2010 Pacific Marine Expo November 18-20, 2010 the Qwest Exhibition Hall in Seattle. Our booth number is 231. Show hours are:

Thursday, November 18: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday, November 19: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday, November 20: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

This is a huge, fun and educational event that includes all industries associated with marine fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. We will be able to educate many of our constituents as to who we are and what we do. Bert the Salmon will be there to help fin the enthusiasm! Please contact President Pedersen as soon as possible, if you would like getting a free Exhibitors Badge and helping out staffing the booth. He can arrange for free parking too.

Student Involvement Opportunity with the Western Division of AFS

From Kelly Stockton: At the business meeting during the Western Division-Sponsored Student Colloquium, I discussed my involvement in getting more involvement for students in the Western Division. A representative associated with the ExCom would ideally help with communication between student subunits about future colloquium, issues facing many of the subunits, potential awards and scholarship available for students, and also keep costs reasonable for students attending the meetings. Please see the Western Division Tributary (http://www.wdafs.org/newsletters/newsletters.htm), which has the article that I have written fully explaining the situation on page 7. There is a survey that I have designed to get feed back from students about your opinions regarding representation at the Division level in AFS. The link to the survey is: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NWHFRH2
Please pass this on to all students in the Western Division and encourage them to take the survey. The survey will close November 10.
Thanks,

Kelly Stockton
Fish Resources Master Student
College of Natural Resources, Dept. Fish and Wildlife
CNR Office 110
Moscow, ID 83844-1136

Phone: 208-885-7139, Email: stoc4872 [at] vandals.uidaho.edu

Ad Hoc Committees – What a great way to Network and serve the Chapter!

The Chapter President appoints these committees. There are currently 7 Ad Hoc committees and President Pedersen needs nominations for people to serve. Ad Hoc Committees focus on issues related to their particular areas and will send emerging issues, symposia suggestions, etc to the President for consideration by the ExCom. The committees also draft resolutions and/or positions papers. There was some discussion on possibly re-defining the purpose of the committees, maybe to include more focus on coordinating symposia related to particular aspects of fisheries. The current Ad Hoc committees are:

Student Affairs -

Forestry/Fisheries -

Continuing Education -

Environmental Affairs-

Marine Fisheries -

Aquaculture – net pens/sea lice issues

Native American/First Nations Fisheries -

Possible Future Committees: Climate Change; Hatchery Reform; Invasive Species; Genetics; Underwater Noise; Contaminants, and others of timely importance.

President Pedersen is currently updating procedures for Ad Hoc committees, expectations, support provided, etc. Please contact him if you are interested in getting involved with any committee.

WA-BC Chapter sponsors USFWS Youth Fisheries Academy day camps

The WA-BC Chapter provided financial sponsorship for five Youth Fisheries Academy (YFA) day camps organized by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife’s Fisheries Division (Washington Fish & Wildlife Office) this past summer. These YFA camps provided 121 2nd to 11th graders hands-on involvement with real-world fisheries biology techniques, including sampling methods, fish & invertebrate identification, fish anatomy, and fisheries technology. Camps were designed to connect youth with nature, develop teamwork skills, and to promote eco-literacy and careers in fisheries conservation. WA-BC Chapter sponsorship enabled camp organizers to purchase radio telemetry gear (which was a big hit with campers! ) as well as snacks. More YFA camps are planned for summer of 2011. Contact Dan Spencer (daniel_spencer [at] fws.gov) or Brad Thompson (brad_thompson [at] fws.gov) at USFWS for more information about YFA camps.

Photos from 2010 USFWS Youth Fisheries Academy Day camps

Regional news of interest to fisheries biologists

Dr. Usha Varanasi, Director of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and a friend of WA-BC Chapter retires!

Photo NWFSC, Su Kim

Usha is retiring at the end of 2010. She has been director the NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) in Seattle since 1994 and was first woman to lead one of the NMFS Science Centers. Dr. Varanasi is an accomplished scientist and an effective leader who is committed to science education.

The NWFSC conducts basic and applied research to support the management and conservation of the Pacific Northwest region’s anadromous and marine fishery resources and their habitats. Dr. Varanasi oversees the Science Center’s headquarters in Seattle and five research stations in Washington and Oregon. Dr. Varanasi’s leadership and management have resulted in increased communication and partnerships with constituents, and new research programs that address current and future science and management needs, including the Cumulative Risk Initiative, which analyzes salmon population trends relative to environmental and human-induced impacts, and the marine groundfish research program, which is dramatically improving stock assessments and resource surveys in the Pacific Northwest. For her achievements, she was awarded the prestigious 2000 Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, the Department of Commerce Gold Medal, the NOAA Distinguished Career Award, and an honorable mention as one of NOAA’s History Makers.

To learn more about Dr. Varanasi go to: http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/usha.cfm

University of Washington closing Seattle campus research hatchery

Also every fishery biologist who attended the University of Washington from 1947 until recently, matriculated in at least one class that was unique to the Seattle Campus – Salmon and Trout Aquaculture at the UW Research Hatchery. However, that experience ended a few years ago when the UW stopped having undergraduates work in the spawning pond, and now the entire program will end as the UW phases out the hatchery and returning Chinook and coho spawning runs over the next few years (the Donaldson Trout are long gone). You can read more about it in an article “Cost, lack of use spells end to longtime UW salmon run” in the Seattle times: <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013304844_uwsalmon31m.html>

UW Fish Hatchery Pond, 2008, Jon Wittouck, manager Photo: Orlay Johnson

Smith Root to Offer Free Electrofishing Class – sort of

New policy for Smith-Root, Inc. If you buy a backpacker, you will get a free class on how to use it. Smith-Root, Inc.’s Introduction to Electrofishing classes for 2011 will be held March 23-24 and September 21-22 at their office in Vancouver, Washington, USA. The two-day course covers basic electrofishing techniques using the LR-24 and LR-20B. As of November 1, 2010 anyone purchasing a new backpack electrofisher from Smith-Root will receive a voucher to attend one class. The voucher is good for one year; transportation and lodging are not included. For further information visit the Smith-Root website, www.smith-root.com, or call 360-573-0202.

Biographies of our Officers for the 2010-2011 WA-BC Chapter

President – WA-BC Chapter AFS, Mark Pedersen

Mark is a senior fisheries scientist with 40+ years experience in strategic planning and business development related to natural resources management. He has been involved with AFS since 1988, and is an AFS Certified Fisheries Professional. He owns Margenex International, whose technical specialties include: aquatic and marine environmental issues; biology of economically important marine fishes, salmon species, and shellfish; fishery management policy and regulations; seafood business and statistics for commercial, artisanal, and recreational fisheries along the Pacific coasts of North America, Peru, Japan, and Micronesia; in the Baltic Sea, Papua-New Guinea, and the west coast of Africa (Mauritania and Ghana); and calculation of lost fishing vessel revenues and potential fisherman earnings due to accidents. He has directed, managed, and/or participated in numerous projects involving fishery characterization, fish habitat enhancement, and mitigation for development impacts; fish migrations, fish stock assessments. He has served as an expert assessor/reviewer for several fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. His work also involves project compliance with local, state, national, and international environmental regulations including the Endangered Species Act, and World Bank, International Finance Corporation, and Espoo Environmental Standards. In addition to technical responsibilities, Mark has presented numerous talks at seminars and scientific symposia, and frequently serves as an expert witness before courts, legislatures, international commissions, and other formal hearing bodies. He has published more than 30 articles in international scientific journals and report series. Mark is a Seattle native, married with an adult son and daughter, and one grandson. He enjoys tropical fish aquaria, gardening, and the outdoors.

Mark G. Pedersen
Margenex International
13306 19th Ave. NE, Seattle WA 98125
Phone: 206 362-4217
Cell: (206) 713-7619
margenex [at] comcast.net

President-Elect – Mark Celedonia

Mark is an AFS Certified Fisheries Professional and has over 10 years of professional experience in fisheries and aquatic ecology. He is currently a Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Lacey, Washington, where he has worked since 2002. Mark recently began implementing hatchery reform-inspired monitoring and evaluation studies at the three Olympic Peninsula National Fish Hatcheries. Prior to that, from 2004 through 2009, he worked in Lake Washington conducting acoustic tracking behavioral studies on juvenile Chinook and coho salmon, and predators such as smallmouth bass, northern pikeminnow, and sculpin. Mark has experience in many aspects of fisheries and aquatic ecology, including population assessment, habitat selection, predation and bioenergetic modeling, watershed ecology, biotic integrity, and wetland ecology. His broader professional and academic backgrounds are rooted in science and are blended with economic, business, social, cultural, legal, and domestic and international policy dimensions. He has authored numerous reports and delivered a variety of technical presentations at AFS meetings and other forums. Mark holds a Masters degree in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University. He also has minors in Environmental Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, and a minor equivalency in Business Management. Mark lives in Olympia, WA with his wife Megan, sons Wynter and Pyke (ages three-and-a-half and 8-months, respectively), and dog Kodah.

Mark Celedonia, MES, FP-C
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
510 Desmond Dr., SE, Suite 102
Lacey, WA 98503
Ph. (360) 534-9327
Fax. (360) 753-9407
Email. Mark_Celedonia [at] fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/westwafwo

Secretary – Lisa Harlan

Lisa is a Fisheries Biologist with over 20 years experience working with salmonids in the Columbia River basin. Currently she works for Smith-Root, Inc. as the Lead Instructor for the electrofishing course, assisting in electrofishing research projects, and providing customer support. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Principia College. She has been a member of the Washington-British Columbia Chapter of the AFS since 2007 and is currently serving on the Executive Committee as the Secretary.

Lisa Harlan

Biologist/Scientist
Smith Root, Inc,
14014 NE Salmon Creek Ave.
Vancouver, WA 98686
360 573-0202 x141
lharlan [at] smith-root.com

Student Representative (aka Vice President for Student Affairs) – Nicole Casper

Nicole Casper is currently a masters student in biology at Western Washington University in the Marine and Estuarine Science Program. Her research focuses on the feeding ecology and development of larval crabs. She received a B.A. in Environmental Studies at Oberlin College in Ohio. One of Nicole’s most memorable undergraduate experiences was spending 6 weeks sailing an oceanographic research vessel studying two species of mesopelagic fish and their health and distribution in the Sargasso Sea. She is passionate about combining her love of science with her love of the sea. After college, before returning to academia, she spent several years gaining practical experience in the field, working as a naturalist at the Seattle Aquarium, then doing water quality monitoring and habitat restoration assessment as an aquatic scientist for Taylor Associates Inc., and most recently worked as a naturalist in Antarctica for an educational cruise company. She is looking forward to an exciting year as the new student representative for the WA-BC chapter!

Nicole Casper
1004 Jersey St
Bellingham, WA 98225
206-335-2282
nicolejcasper [at] yahoo.com

Vice President – Yvonne Muirhead

Yvonne earned a B.Sc. Environmental Science from Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC and a Diploma of Technology in Environmental Science from Camosun College also Victoria BC. She began her career as the Program Coordinator for the Sustainable Fisheries Foundation (SFF) and then worked as a Research Assistant at MacDonald Environmental Sciences Limited (MESL). In 2007, she was the Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) Data Manager for the Vancouver Aquarium and then became Data Coordinator for Kintama Research Corporation (we track salmon). Currently she is the Office Administrator at Kintama in Nanaimo, BC and she is working towards completing her Project Management certificate at Royal Roads University.

She has been involved with Western Division of the American Fisheries Society (WDAFS) for a number of years and has assisted and coordinated a number of its activities. Ms. Muirhead has received recognition for her involvement with WDAFS by receiving a Certificate of Achievement from AFS; an Award of Special Recognition from WDAFS; and, the Distinguished Service Award from SFF. Ms. Muirhead also serves as the Assistant Director of the Up Island Branch Project Management Institute (PMI), Vancouver Island Chapter.

Yvonne Muirhead
Kintama Research Corporation
10-1850 Northfield Road
Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9S 3B3
250-729-2600 X 221
yvonne.muirhead [at] kintama.com

Communications Director – Orlay Johnson

Orlay is the first Communications Director for the WA-BC chapter. He earned his BS at Drew University and Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He currently works in the Genetics and Evolution Program at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

Orlay initially studied chromosome manipulation and polyploidy. In the 1990s he was Endangered Species Coordinator for NWFSC and presently studies 1) way to characterize and identify small populations at the edge of their range, 2) populations where new species are moving in to complete, or hybridize with native populations, and 3) ways to use fluctuating asymmetry to detect genetic, epigenetic, or environmental problems in hatchery and wild species

Prior to attending grad school, Orlay was a HS teacher on Lopez Island and the first Marine Ed Specialist at The Seattle Aquarium.

In real life he is a volunteer SCUBA diver at TSA, kayaker, Mac user, gardener, and a soccer coach/ref. He also has a cabin on Camano Island and two kids in college, so he is very poor.

Orlay Johnson
NOAA Fisheries
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
2725 Montlake Blvd East
Seattle WA
orlay.johnson [at] noaa.gov

Past-President Jim Shannon
Jim lives on Mercer Island with his wife and children. He is an AFS Certified Fisheries Professional, and was key in rejuvenating the Chapter. He recently changed jobs and is now a Senior Fish Biologist with Anchor QEA in Seattle. Hi has experience in a variety of fish research projects. For several years, Jim has organized the Spawning Run for Chapter Annual Meetings.

Jim Shannon
Anchor QEA, LLC
1423 3rd Avenue, Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-903-3387
jshannon [at] anchorqea.com

Treasurer- Erin Lowery

Erin received his BS in Fisheries from the University of Washington in 2005, where he was involved with the Student Sub-Unit. He was awarded the Galen and Helen Maxwell Fisheries Scholarship and Faculty Merit Award. Erin did a lot of fieldwork conducting research on the anadromous and resident fishes of the Chignik Lakes System in Alaska. He is currently a research scientist with the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Erin is married, lives in Seattle, and he and his wife recently had their first child (congratulations Erin!!).

Erin Lowery
Research Scientist
Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit School of Aquatic and Fishery Science
University of Washington, Seattle
Office Phone: (206) 616-3660
Lab Phone: (206) 543-3132
edl2 [at] u.washington.edu

The Last Word from our Next and Future President

PRESIDENT-ELECT REPORT — MARK CELEDONIA

It is an honor and a privilege to be serving as the President-Elect of the WA-BC Chapter in 2010-2011. This coming year is shaping up to be perhaps the most exciting year in the Chapter’s history, culminating with our hosting the AFS Annual Meeting in Seattle a little less than one year from now. In a normal year, the President-Elect would be busy organizing the Chapter AGM. It seemed like I was getting off too easy by not having to do this. The guilt was killing me, so I agreed to take on the role of Master Scheduler for the 2011 Seattle Meeting to at least partially make up the difference. In this capacity, I have been and will continue tracking progress on all planning activities for the meeting, as well as scheduling appropriate rooms and facilities for the myriad meetings and functions that take place during an Annual Meeting. In addition, I’ve begun tackling my other regular President-Elect duties. I’m developing an operating budget for the Chapter to propose to the EXCOM and am helping Yvonne Muirhead get her feet under her as our newly minted Vice President. I’m also looking forward to helping our new fearless leader – Mark Pedersen – accomplish the exciting things we talked about at our September retreat. We’ve got some great ideas for moving the Chapter forward this year – stay tuned!!