Southern division AFS 2023
SYMPOSIA
DEFCON 1: The emerging threat of Alabama Bass to native congeners in the southeastern U.S.
Organizers: Steven Sammons (Auburn University), John Odenkirk (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources), Lawrence G. Dorsey (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission), Michael Jolley (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency)
Objective: Discuss past, present, and future threats regarding angler introductions of Alabama Bass, Micropterus henshalli, outside their native range.
Abstract: Black bass Micropterus spp. stocked outside their native range have often been implicated in declines of native fishes but impacts of these stockings to native congeners have been examined less commonly and almost never in reservoirs. Alabama Bass Micropterus henshalli was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Spotted Bass M. punctulatus but was elevated to its own species in 2007. Native to the Mobile River Basin in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, the species is extremely popular with anglers and has been stocked outside its native range in isolated areas by state and federal fisheries agencies (e.g., Texas, California). However, more recently anglers have taken it upon themselves to spread them more widely, first in northern Georgia and the Savannah River Basin in South Carolina, and now northward throughout South Carolina into North Carolina. In virtually every case where these fish have been introduced, populations of native congeners crash either through competitive replacement or genetic introgression. The leading edge of the Alabama Bass invasion now encompasses several notable Smallmouth Bass fisheries in North Carolina and is on the border of numerous others in Tennessee, Virginia, and beyond. The spread of Alabama Bass likely constitutes the greatest ecological threat to black bass fisheries observed in the long history of managing these species. This symposium is an opportunity for researchers and managers across the Southern Division to gather and discuss the current status of this threat and actions needed to stem its tide before further impacts are observed.
American Eels: Emerging from the murky abyss and entering a clear stream of knowledge
Organizers: Pete Sturke (Dominion Energy), Bob Graham (Line Management), Robby Maxwell (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries), Stephen Curtis (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), Trevor Starks (Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation), Scott Smith (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources)
Objective:
Abstract: American Eel Anguilla rostrata in the drainages of the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico are generally understudied. With the evolving worldwide demand for freshwater eels and declining abundance, American Eel have received increased attention as a species of great conservation need. Recent efforts have been made to increase our understanding of the life history of American Eel, particularly relating to the benefits and challenges related to dam passage efforts. American Eel present unique challenges and opportunities for fisheries researchers and managers as we work to better understand their distribution and abundance, life history and movement patterns, and population structure within the region. This symposium looks to share research methods being used to assess the status of individual populations, approaches to dam passage, and related study results which should help to better inform management of the species and coordinate research frameworks and conservation actions.
Aquatic connectivity in the southeast: Advancing science through partnerships
Organizers: Kat Hoenke (Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership), Tate Wentz (Arkansas Department of Agriculture), Dr. Jeffery Fore (The Nature Conservancy), Sara Gottlieb (The Nature Conservancy), Dr. Sue Colvin (Arkansas Tech University), Alan Weaver (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources)
Objective: To disseminate information and research from southeast aquatic connectivity teams
Abstract: Improving aquatic habitat through restoring connectivity across the southeast has long been identified as a fisheries conservation issue due to the prevalence of dams and stream barriers coupled with high occurrences of endemic, rare, threatened, or endangered aquatic species. Many states have established local led efforts to address these issues. In recent years, efforts by organizations like American Rivers and more regionally the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, have worked to establish state led aquatic connectivity teams (ACTs) across the southeast. These ACTs have worked to develop extensive partnerships throughout the state and region to advance the understanding of inventory and removal prioritization of stream barriers for Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP). The goal of this symposia is to highlight those partnerships, AOP research efforts, and results across the southeast.
Crappie management and research: Reviving the conversation
Organizers: Allen D. Martin (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Ryan Hamm (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Kevin J. Dockendorf (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission), Andrew Yung (Arkansas Game and Fish Commission)
Objective: Discuss ongoing crappie projects and future management needs. Understand current crappie management in the Southeast and address current and future challenges.
Abstract: In many states comprising the American Fisheries Society’s Southern Division, crappie are a very popular freshwater sportfish. However, crappie are often overlooked by fisheries managers and researchers. Over the years, sampling techniques, angler dynamics, and other components of crappie management have evolved. In turn, there appears to be renewed interest by anglers to target crappie and by fish and wildlife agencies to direct more effort towards management of this popular fishery. This symposium is an opportunity for researchers and managers across the Southern Division to gather and discuss ongoing projects and future needs. The intent is that the presentations and discussions at this symposium will help us understand where we are now and how to address current and future challenges in crappie management, ultimately refocusing more attention on crappie as a valuable sportfish.
Exploring causes and consequences of climate change in streams
Organizers: David Young (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department), Matthew Troia (The University of Texas at San Antonio)
Objective:
Abstract: Freshwater fisheries of the southeastern USA are highly vulnerable to physical changes in the environment. Human drivers of change have altered the quantity and quality of habitat causing widespread reductions in species richness. Climate change is expected to further modify habitats, imposing novel and interactive stressors on aquatic ecosystems. Both thermal and hydrologic regimes are projected to shift across the landscape, producing additional changes in energy, sediment, and chemical inputs into freshwater systems. How warmwater fisheries will change will depend on the ability of organisms to respond (i.e. adapt-compete-move), the rate and magnitude of environmental change, and societal interventions (i.e. resist-accept-direct). Successful conservation and restoration interventions need additional knowledge and tools to detect and predict how climate change impacts ecosystem processes. Toward this effort, contributed talks in this symposium will explore two broad questions: (1) What natural and anthropogenic factors (i.e. climate change) contribute to spatiotemporal variation in ecosystem processes, for example shifts in thermal and hydrologic regimes? (2) How does this spatiotemporal variation affect habitat quality and biotic responses at the individual, population, and community levels? Addressing these questions will (A) elucidate fundamental questions related to abundance and distribution of the diverse freshwater fauna in the southeastern US and (B) inform conservation efforts aimed at curbing impacts of land use and climate change as well as guiding habitat restoration and evaluating its efficacy and (C) better coordinate research efforts across the region.
From Tidewater to the deep blue: Recent advances in marine fishery science and management
Organizers: Brendan Runde (The Nature Conservancy), Jim Morley (East Carolina University), Kyle Shertzer (NOAA Fisheries), Jie Cao (North Carolina State University), Matthew Damiano (North Carolina State University)
Objective:
Abstract: Ten of the fourteen Southern Division states have estuaries and coasts. These systems, though diverse in their ecology and biology, are united by the presence of saltwater. In this symposium, hosted by the Tidewater Chapter, we welcome submissions on any marine or estuarine topic. We anticipate that talks will cover wide-ranging topics including climate change, stock assessment, habitat restoration and monitoring, tagging, and toxicology. We encourage the submission of both theoretical and empirical research. Talks will be organized by topic, and sub-symposia may manifest depending on submissions.
Offshore wind and fisheries: monitoring interactions and assessing impacts
Organizers: Andrew M. Scheld, David Rudders, and Sarah Borsetti (Virginia Institute of Marine Science)
Objective: Provide a forum for research groups currently developing and implementing monitoring programs to discuss approaches and best practices in data collection and analysis. Facilitate regional coordination in development and implementation of monitoring programs and impact evaluation. Advance discussions related to assessing fishing sector impacts and potential mitigation or compensation strategies.
Abstract: Development of offshore wind energy is accelerating throughout several coastal regions of the US. It is expected that by 2030 over 3,000 offshore wind turbines and ~10,000 miles of submarine cables will be placed throughout the Northeast US continental shelf, with the development of the South Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific to follow. Changes to habitat, fishing pressure, and the ability to conduct existing scientific surveys are anticipated. To address these changes, programs to monitor and assess impacts to biological resources and fishery stakeholders have been initiated or are planned in several places. This symposium will bring together researchers, managers, and others working to understand and assess the impacts of offshore wind on coastal and marine fish species and dependent human communities.
Understanding aquatic population structures using population genetic techniques
Organizers: Zanethia C. Barnett (USDA Forest Service), Tanya L. Darden (South Carolina Department of Natural Resources)
Objective: This session will highlight ongoing applications of genetics used to understand aquatic population structure and how these data are being used to conserve or mitigate the loss of diversity in aquatic systems.
Abstract: The southeastern USA is a freshwater biodiversity hotspot. Nonetheless, the world is facing a freshwater biodiversity crisis, with freshwater systems considered our most imperiled ecosystems due, in part, to habitat loss and degradation; over-exploitation and over-fishing; algal blooms; dam building; and the introduction of non-native species. New conservation measures are urgently needed globally to help address the plight of freshwater ecosystems, and the species that live in them. Population genetic techniques can be used to assist conservationist in conserving our aquatic species by providing precise estimates of basic features of wildlife populations, such as effective population size, inbreeding, demographic history, and population structure, that are critical for conservation efforts. Genetic tools can also be used to quantify species presence and diversity, and to identify at-risk populations. This session will highlight ongoing applications of genetics used to understand aquatic population structure and how these data are being used to conserve or mitigate the loss of diversity in aquatic systems.
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) – How will agencies spend the funds and meet the match requirements?
Organizers: Dennis Riecke (Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks), Scott Smith (Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources)
Objective: The purpose of this symposium will be to consider those questions from several angles. The idea will be to have an overview of RAWA (and how we got here) presented by national organizations (AFS, AFWA, USFWS), which will be followed by presentations from several state agencies. The state agency presentations will focus on plans for utilizing the funding or potential strategies for securing the necessary matching funds. These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion (ideally with representation from all SD states) to dig deeper into some of the ideas presented, and to consider new alternatives. Additionally, it is hoped that this symposium might provide people with some insight into how the passage of RAWA may impact their jobs and/or their organizations.
Abstract: The potential for passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA) could be a game-changer for state fish and wildlife agencies. It would essentially be a Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration-sized funding source for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SCGN) as listed in State Wildlife Action Plans. This poses opportunities and challenges for the recipient agencies, namely how will they plan to utilize the funds and how will they meet the (anticipated) 25% non-federal match requirements?
Questions?
Contact: John Odenkirk (john.odenkirk@dwr.virginia.gov) or Scott Smith (scott.smith@dwr.virginia.gov)