It is our distinct honor to present this year’s 2024 Rising Star Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions in Fish Habitat Conservation to Mr. Sean C. Lusk, who is the Fisheries District Coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in Little Rock, Arkansas. Sean’s early career efforts have consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to fish habitat conservation. Sean commenced his career working as a fisheries management biologist for the AGFC where his strong leadership, scientific rigor, and communication skills were immediately recognized as an asset to his organization, where he led efforts to improve reservoir fish habitat by adding natural and artificial cover, establishing native aquatic vegetation, controlling nuisance vegetation, and improving water quality.
He worked with researchers at the US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center to re-establish native aquatic vegetation in DeGray Lake using novel methods to counteract the effects of highly fluctuating water levels. The prototype floating enclosures he developed keep actively growing plants in the water, which is a design that has been adopted by other state fish and wildlife agencies. In addition to establishing native aquatic vegetation in fluctuating reservoirs, Sean has led numerous projects on Lakes Ouachita and Hamilton that focused on adding cover to improve fish habitat in aging reservoirs and increase angler catch rates. Many of these projects involved organizing volunteers, which provided a platform to advocate for fish habitat conservation with stakeholders.
In Sean’s new role as fisheries district coordinator, he is helping lead several other habitat projects. First, Sean is working with fisheries staff to create a database that captures habitat work conducted by the AGFC. Additionally, Sean is leading efforts in fish habitat assessments that seek to address three primary questions: 1) Do fish utilize the habitat? 2) Are angler catch rates improved? And 3) do these habitat projects have population-level effects on fisheries by improving recruitment, growth, survival, and condition? Finally, Sean is leading efforts to utilize sonar and other technology to aid in these habitat assessments.
As part of the Rising Star Award, the recipient receives a plaque and a monetary contribution to be designated for a Fish Habitat Partnership of their Choice. Sean has chosen to contribute that funding to the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership. Please welcome me in congratulating Sean for his many early-career contributions to our field. Although Sean could not attend the business meeting, colleague Jason Olive was able to receive the award in his stead. Congratulations, Sean!
