CARING FOR NEW YORK STATE'S FISHERIES
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
and the New York Chapter of the American Fisheries Society have invited
scientists from around the world to attend the American Fisheries
Society's (AFS) 136th Annual Meeting in Lake Placid, Essex County from
September 10-14, 2006.
Members of the press are welcome to attend any session or talk and
receive a free registration packet.
If attending, please stop at the AFS2006 Media Room located in the
Olympic Center's Whiteface Room for a media packet. The Media Room will
be open on Thursday (9/7) from 8 a.m. to noon; Monday and Tuesday (9/11
and 9/12), from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday (9/13), from 7:30 a.m.
to 4 p.m.; and Thursday (9/14), from 7:30 a.m. to noon. For media
pre-registration, call 585-226-5339 prior to September 5, 2006, and
585-472-1839 thereafter.
The meeting's theme is "Fish in the Balance" and it will explore the
interrelation between fish, aquatic habitats and humans, highlight
challenges facing aquatic resource professionals, and explore methods to
resolve conflicts between those that use or have an interest in our
aquatic resources. Approximately 1,800 to 2,000 aquatic and fisheries
scientists from 39 countries are expected to attend. Over 1,100
technical presentations and 200 technical poster presentations will be
conducted during the four days of the meeting.
Thirty-two symposia will be conducted including the three highlighted
below on several of New York's most important fish species. Media
availability of certain participants is noted below. Full details on
times and content of presentations can be found at
http://www.afslakeplacid.org/ .
Brook Trout: Conservation Challenges at Multiple Scales
Brook trout are a significant part of the heritage and natural
ecosystems of the Eastern United States and Canada. However, a wide
variety of factors threaten these wild populations. This symposium will
explore brook trout conservation and restoration work conducted at
various scales, including local stream reach, watershed, region and
range-wide.
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Experts on brook trout, including three presenters from the
symposium, will be available for media interviews on Wednesday,
September 13, at 1:45 p.m. in the AFS2006 Media Room:
* William Schoch, New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation Region 5 Fisheries Manager;
* Nat Gillespie, Fisheries Scientist, Trout Unlimited Virginia; and
* Brian Weidel, Graduate Student (PhD) Center for Limnology,
University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Salmon and Trout in the Great Lakes: A Balancing Act
Managing salmon fisheries in the Great Lakes and elsewhere is a
difficult balancing act among prey availability, hatchery and natural
reproduction. Declining lake productivity and food web changes
associated with invasive species have complicated science and management
of salmon populations in the Great Lakes. "The Salmon and Trout in the
Great Lakes" symposium will be held on Thursday, September 14, from 7:50
a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Olympic Center 1932
Rink's Santanoni room.
Experts on Great Lakes salmon and trout, including two of the
presenters from the symposium, will be available for media interviews on
Tuesday, September 12, at 2:30 p.m. in the AFS2006 Media Room
* William Culligan, Great Lakes Section Chief, New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
* Neil Ringler, Dean of Research, State University of New York's
College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Comparisons of Steelhead Populations and Management: From the Great
Lakes to the West Coast
The steelhead (rainbow trout) is one of the most coveted sport fishes in
North America. Despite this position of high esteem, many native
steelhead stocks along the West Coast and naturalized populations in the
Great Lakes continue to decline from a variety of factors. Steelhead
are caught between expanding human populations, habitat/water quality
constraints, and increased angler demand. Scientists and managers will
discuss possible common problems and management solutions. The
"Comparisons of Steelhead Populations and Management: From the Great
Lakes to the West Coast" symposium will be held on Tuesday, September
12, from 1:10 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, September 13, from 7:50 a.m.
to 12 p.m. and 1:10 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza's Sky room.
Experts on steelhead, including two presenters from the symposium,
will be available for media interviews on Tuesday, September 13, at 11
a.m. in the AFS2006 Media Room.
* Daniel Bishop, Region 7 Fisheries Manager, New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation
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* Kevin Kayle, Aquatic Biology Supervisor, Ohio Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
* William Culligan (available, not presenting), Great Lakes Section
Chief, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Monday, August 28, 2006
DEC Contact: Dave Winchell (518) 897-1211
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