About Us

The Bioengineering Section of the American Fisheries Society provides a forum for its members to discuss solutions and exchange and publish information regarding techniques and impacts of fisheries bioengineering research and practice. To learn more about the Bioengineering Section or to become a member, please continue below…

Our Mission…

Founded in 1979, the mission of the Bioengineering Section (BES) of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is to promote excellence in the field of fisheries bioengineering through improved communication and networking between biologists, engineers, and other professionals working for the conservation of fisheries resources. BES sponsors and supports its membership in developing symposia, publications, workshops, short courses, and continuing education programs which advance the knowledge base and collaboration within the bioengineering fields.

What is Fisheries Bioengineering?

Fisheries bioengineering incorporates biological and engineering expertise in the development of technologies and innovative designs which support the conservation of fisheries resources. Fisheries bioengineering areas of specialty, include:

  • Hatchery and aquaculture
  • Habitat protection and restoration
  • Hydro mitigation and fish passage
  • Mitigation and fish passage for water supply, irrigation, and flood control dams
  • Dam removal
  • Water intake screening and protection
  • Water treatment and recirculation
  • Mariculture and netcage systems
  • Research laboratories and aquariums
  • Fishing gear and bycatch reduction 

 

Our Members Include

Bioengineering Section members are engineers, biologists, project managers, technicians, and researchers interested in technologies and innovative designs which support the conservation of fisheries resources. Members include those fishery professionals who want to keep up-to-date on the latest developments in aquaculture systems, habitat protection, fish passage technologies, hydro mitigation equipment, and innovative engineering designs related to fisheries conservation and protection. Bioengineering Section members network and collaborate on challenging projects, share knowledge, and learn about emerging technologies in various fisheries bioengineering specialties.

Watch Bioengineering Section American Fisheries Society 150th Anniversary video highlighting many projects by our membership:

 

What activities do we support?

  • Annual symposia in technical and bioengineering fields with national, regional, and local AFS affiliates
  • The networking and communication among members with common interests and challenges related to bioengineering
  • BES website with communities’ page
  • Publication of resource documents, papers, and proceedings through AFS
  • Professional continuing education programs and short courses
  • International conference on fish passage, and its Distinguished Project Award
  • Technical workshops and tours
  • Ned Taft Travel award to support students’ attendance at the national AFS conference

 

Membership

How to join the Bioengineering Section of the American Fisheries Society: Click here to link to an application form. Non-AFS Members must first join the parent Society.  When doing this there will be an option to join BES.  Current AFS Members can join the Bioengineering Section when renewing their AFS memberships.

 

Section Bylaws & PROCEDURES

The Section’s Bylaws were last revised in 2009 to conform to our Parent Society’s Bylaws.

Section Procedures Manual – If you are interested in knowing more about the duties of the section officers, executive committee, and the committee chairs, this manual provides a full description.