President's Corner

Let me start by introducing myself to those of you who I have not had the pleasure of meeting. I began my career 15 years ago with Georgia DNR in the same place where I currently serve in Coastal Georgia. I am a graduate of the University of Georgia where I studied the now infamous Robust Redhorse. I am the Regional Supervisor in the new Region V which covers the freshwater resources of Georgia's coastal counties.

My first passion is not fish management but fishing. My God given love for the sport drives my desire to be a good steward of what we have been entrusted with. My hope is that the enthusiasm that I have for the sport and its participants will be used in my role this year as your president.

I must admit that I am humbled at the task before me. My approach to tackling large tasks like this is to get the best people around me that I can find. With Joey Slaughter having just finished up a superb job as president last year and a colleague of mine Tim Bonvechio serving as president elect, I am confident that we will accomplish much this year and build on the momentum we now have. We have had numerous volunteers come forward for the upcoming year even before the 2012 meeting was adjourned. It is my great privilege to serve as your president for the coming year. I look forward to meeting all of you in person and will be sharing my vision with you for this year in the next post.

Until then, Tight lines!

Tim Barrett,
Chapter President

Welcome to Georgia AFS

The Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (GA-AFS) was formed in 1986. Prior to that time, fisheries professional in Georgia were organized as the Georgia Fisheries Workers Association (GFWA). GA-AFS, like the GWFA before it, is the premiere fisheries professional organization in the State of Georgia.

With over 100 members annually, GA-AFS is dedicated to the promotion of sound fisheries science and development of our fisheries professionals. Our members come from throughout the Southeast, ranging from natural resource managers, aquaculturists, researchers, conservationists, and numerous biological disciplines; and representing state and federal government, academia, private consulting, industry, and recreational fishing interests. Together, we work towards the common goal of improving the fish and aquatic resources of Georgia.

 

UGA AFS Fishing Tournament - March 31, 2012

UGA AFS is hosting their first fishing tournament March 31, 2012 on the Broad River (flyer). They wish to personally invite all Georgia AFS members to attend.

To start with tournament logistics, participants will plan to meet 8am Saturday morning (March 31) at the Broad River Outpost for a pre-launch meeting. Anglers will be transported upstream or downstream (depending on their preference) at 9am.

Pre-registration is $30 and day-of-event registration is $40. This covers a kayak / paddle, bus transportation and a cookout following boat return. Anglers will be expected to return mid afternoon -- time will be specified at the morning meeting. There will be a cookout and "weigh-in" / prizes rewarded.

So what do the funds go towards? Good question. AFS is working hard this year to increase undergraduate participation. The profit will go into a undergraduate scholarship fund, and undergraduates with a high level of participation in AFS will be awarded this scholarship at the end of the calendar year. The scholarship will be appropriated to the student's "major professor / advising professor" to help finance a senior project.

Interested in participating? Contact Whitney Jacobs or Andrew Taylor.


Last updated: January 18, 2012