Organized 1870 to Promote the Conservation, Development and Wise Utilization of the Fisheries

American Fisheries Society Organized 1870 to Promote the Conservation, Development and Wise Utilization of the Fisheries

5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 110 * Bethesda, Maryland 20814-2199 301-897-8616 * FAX 301-897-8096 * E-Mail: [email protected], www.fisheries.org

Wayne A. Hubert

Ghassa n (Gus) Rassam

President 2010-2011

Executive Director

William L. Fisher President Elect

September 20, 2010

Walt Duffy California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Humbolt State University Arcata, CA 95521-8299

Dear Walt:

It is my pleasure to appoint you as Chair of the External Affairs Committee for 2010-2011. I appreciate your service on the committee for the last two years. I was very impressed with the Committee's recent report to the Governing Board for its 2011 annual meeting. The Committee is commended for all of its activity on behalf of AFS.

As you know the purpose of the External Affairs Committee is to enhance the visibility of the Society to the media and general public and increase the Society's interaction with the sport fishing, aquaculture, processor, and distributor segments of the fisheries community. In addition, the Committee is to promote activism for aquatic habitat and water quality issues.

The Committee is composed of at least six people with staggered 3-year terms, one-third of who are appointed by each new AFS President. Appended is the Committee roster for 2009-2010. Tom Lang's term has expired and he is moving on to other activities within AFS. Chris Hunter has resigned from the committee. So, there are two vacancies on the Committee that need to be filled. I have received two applications for appointment to the External Affairs Committee: 1. Rafael Miranda, Professor, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, Spain. Email: [email protected] 2. Flavio Augusto Leao da Fonseca, Fish Culture Teacher, Brazilian federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology, Manaus. Email: [email protected] I think at least one person from outside of North America could be a good addition to the Committee. Please contact Rafael Miranda and determine his interest in appointment to the committee. Flavio de Fonseca could be a second choice. Please identify two people willing to serve on the Committee and I will be happy to appoint them.

The array of activities with which the External Affairs Committee is charged is quite broad and somewhat vague. Based on our telephone conversation, I am charging the Committee with the following specific tasks for 2010-2011: 1. Continue to administer the Student Writing Contest; 2. Continue to administer the Public Outreach Award (Please be sure to communicate your activities with regard to the writing contest and the Public Outreach Award to the Awards Committee Chair, AFS 1st V.P. John Boreman). 3. Develop a workable procedure for the "translation" of technical scientific papers published in AFS journals for dissemination to non-technical audiences. The Committee, with the assistance of Elden Hawkes, AFS Policy and Development Coordinator, has been charged with developing articles and briefs that can be provided to legislators, managers and administrators at all levels, and to the general public as opportunities arise. The articles are to be translated by freelance writers and sent to appropriate magazine outlets for publication. I feel it is important to identify target audiences, specific ways in which articles can be disseminated beyond random submission to printed magazines, and a procedure for "translation" that assures that scientific accuracy is not lost. The recent report to the Governing Board provides many ideas for this program. My specific charge to the Committee is to develop a report to the Governing Board for the Mid-year 2010 meeting that enhances the suggestions in the 2010 report with specific protocols for a program to translate articles, so that a pilot program may be considered for initiation. I do not feel that it is the task of the Committee to translate articles, but to propose a mechanism by which this can be carried out using AFS staff, authors of journal articles, freelance writers, and(or) volunteers. 4. Assist in the planning of a "Briefing on the Hill" in Washington. The topic is yet to be determined, but there is substantial interest in a briefing regarding chemicals and therapeutic agents needed in aquaculture. 5. Assist in the development of a media database. In order for AFS and the External Affairs Committee to enhance media coverage, there is a need to identify and maintain key contacts with the media. The Committee is charged to work with Eldon Hawkes and develop recommendations as to how a media database may be constructed and maintained within AFS.

I really appreciate your willingness to take on this challenging assignment and I wish you success in providing this key service to the Society and our members. When you need assistance, just call (307- 760-8723) or write ([email protected]).

Sincerely,

Wayne A. Hubert President, American Fisheries Society

External Affairs Committee 2009-2010

Tom Lang, Chair Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Pratt, KS 67124 Phone: 620-672-0722 Email: [email protected] Term: 2007-2010 Earl Meredith NE Region National Marine Fisheries Service Gloucester, MA 01930 Phone: 978 281-9276 Email: [email protected] Term: Sept. 2008-2011 Chris Hunter Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Retired) Phone: 406.444.2449 Email: [email protected] Term: 2008-2011

Walt Duffy USGS CA Coop Res. Unit Humboldt State University Arcata, CA 95521-8299 Phone: 707 826-5644 Email: Term: 2009-2012

Clifton Jackson Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Little Rock, AR 72205 Phone: 501 351-1545 Email: [email protected] Term: 2009-2012

Zeb Hogan University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557 Phone: 530 219-0942 Email: [email protected] Term: 2009-2012

Elden Hawkes, Jr. (Non-voting) Policy and Development Coordinator 5410 Grosvenor Lane Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301 897-8616 ext. 215 Email: [email protected] Term: 2008-2011