This week, we're making another stop on the tour of AFS Sections, and this time it's the Marine Fisheries Section (MFS). Susan Piacenza, the current president of the Section, stopped by the podcast recently to share updates about MFS activities - and to chat about her work with sea turtles!

Episode guest:

Susan Piacenza

Oregon State University

Marine Fisheries Section President

https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/susie-piacenza

susan.piacenza@oregonstate.edu

Marine Fisheries Section: https://mfs.fisheries.org/

AFS Updates and Links:

AFS Membership - renewals and new members

Upcoming online sessions include:

Fisheries Community Check In - October 14

Invasive Species Database Webinar - October 28

Higher-Level Thinking online course - October 30

AFS Certification - online application overview - November 5

Fisheries Community Check In - November 6

AFS is back with a new "Beneath the Surface" episode! This time, we're highlighting 2025 Excellence in Public Outreach honoree, David Shiffman. David shares insights on social media best practices and why sharks matter!

Episode guest:

David Shiffman

https://davidshiffmancv.com/

David.Shiffman@gmail.com

July 2025 Fisheries article:

https://academic.oup.com/fisheries/article/50/7/316/8107657

AFS Updates:

The AFS Sections roundup continues today with an introduction to the Invasive and Introduced Species Section! Today's guest is Nathan Lederman, the Section's current president. Join us to learn about this section's history and current projects. To learn more, join their business meeting at the AFS Annual Meeting next month!

Episode guest:

Nathan Lederman

nathaniel.lederman@wisconsin.gov

Learn more about the American Fisheries Society and our upcoming Annual Meeting!

Comments or suggestions? Submit via email to lmaza@fisheries.org

What's an ELMA? To find out more, I went to Drew Holloway and Patrick Cooney, who are both former participants in the Emerging Leaders Mentorship Awards (ELMA) program. Drew and Patrick are currently serving as the ELMA committee chairs, working to mentor the current class of ELMAs and passing on lessons to the incoming class.

Episode Guests:

Patrick Cooney Drew Holloway

Emerging Leaders Mentorship Awards

Updates:

San Antonio Annual Meeting registration-the early bird deadline has been extended through July 8

July webinar- Meeting Planning: A deep dive

Today's episode features a preview of the first open access book to be published by AFS! Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes of Puerto Rico authors Gus Engman and Wes Neal recently stopped by the podcast to recap the book's development and the authors' history of freshwater research in Puerto Rico.

Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes of Puerto Rico

Authors: Thomas J. Kwak Augustin C. Engman Craig G. Lilyestrom J. Wesley Neal María de Lourdes Olmeda

Episode guests:

Gus Engman University of Tennessee

Wes Neal Mississippi State University

AFS is excited to announce the launch of Fishbook - a fisheries collaborate network! In this episode, we're visiting with Beth Beard, to learn about the Fishbook project and how to join this online community.

Episode guest: Beth Beard AFS Senior Communications Manager

Fishbook is now online at https://fishbook.fisheries.org!

Update: AFS Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration deadline: June 4, 2025

Questions, comments, and suggestions for future podcast guests: lmaza@fisheries.org

Have you ever wondered how the AFS Second Vice Presidential candidates are selected each year? With the AFS election completed for 2025, we thought it would be a good time to reflect back on the candidate selection process. This week's guest is Eric Fetherman, who just completed his term as the Chair of the AFS Nominating Committee. Eric helps explain the candidate recruitment and vetting process for the AFS elections.

Episode guest:

Eric Fetherman

2024-2025 AFS Nominating Committee Chair

Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Updates:

Fisheries Community Check-in

May 7, 3 pm Eastern Time

Join the session!

Webinar - Great Lakes

May 13, 2 pm Eastern Time

Register Now

Webinar suggestion form

In this episode, San Antonio local meeting chair, Shaun Donovan, joins the podcast to preview the 2025 Annual Meeting. Learn about conference sessions and events, San Antonio travel tips, and more!

Episode guest:

Shaun Donovan

San Antonio River Authority

Local Chair, 2025 AFS Annual Meeting

https://afsannualmeeting.fisheries.org/

Interview recording date: April 2, 2025

2025 AFS Annual Meeting - abstract submission deadline:

Extended through April 22

2025 AFS Officer Election:

April 22 is the last date to vote! All members are encouraged to vote, via emailed instructions.