The Utah Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is an organization composed of professional fisheries biologists,scientists,and policy makers interested in promoting the well-being of Utah’s fisheries and aquatic resources through scientific advancement and enhancement of the public’s appreciation and understanding of the aquatic world,its biological diversity,its fishery communities,and its ecological processes.

The mission of the American Fisheries Society is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals.

President’s Message

Dear fellow Utah AFS Members,

I look forward to the annual chapter meeting at Beautiful Wahweap Resort at Lake Powell.  It seems that professionally we are all busy conserving,restoring,propagating and managing our aquatic resources in Utah.  Utah being the 2nd driest state in the nation behind Nevada makes this a very challenging profession.  Utah’s fisheries are continually jeopardized by fire,water quality,water quantity and disease.  Utah AFS professionals are continually leading the way in new techniques in all aspects of fisheries science and this year’s meeting should be a great opportunity to continue to meet these challenges to Utah’s fisheries.  Productive relationships with other agencies,private consultants and our constituents will only make meeting these challenges easier in the future.  Last year I believe we had a record number of meeting attendants and I look forward to an even more successful meeting this year from March 26-28,2013.  I would like to continue with the following efforts:

• solicitation of increased sponsorship and raffle donations to allow for greater Chapter autonomy
• inclusion of a pro-am fishing tournament fundraiser on the last day of the 2013 meeting
• development of a revamped scholarship program to include award opportunities for high school seniors and foster greater recruitment of prospective fisheries professionals at a young age and
• development of social media outlets for communication and sharing among Chapter members

There will also be three continuing education sessions on March 26th.  Session one will be a training for all habitat-oriented biologists.  NRCS will be providing a training/certification for evaluating stream habitats.  The other two sessions will be utilizing hydroacoustics to evaluate fish populations and then utilizing new software to use hydroacoustics to evaluate habitat.

I thank you for your commitment to Utah AFS and applaud you for your commitment to Utah’s fisheries!!!

Drew Cushing
President
Utah Chapter American Fisheries Society