Leading Edge Tools for Investigative Fish Science

This symposium provides a forum for the presentation of leading edge techniques and technologies for the identification and tracking of fish populations and will highlight the new insights which are being gained by their use.  Researchers, managers, regulators, and other interested parties will be informed regarding new tools being used to conduct scientific investigations of fish populations, will be presented with current applications of these tools, and will be challenged to apply the techniques and technologies presented to improve the quality of investigative fish science, thereby enhancing its value as perceived by government agencies, private entities, and the general public.

Technology and its use are advancing at such a fast rate that most are unable to stay up to date.  This is certainly true in the field of fish science.  With heightened focus on fisheries issues and greatly expanded monitoring activities, particularly with the complexities imposed by the Endangered Species Act, fisheries scientists have been challenged to understand and utilize the best possible investigative methods.  Managers and regulators have been challenged in determining which tools to use in monitoring programs and how reliable new techniques and methodologies might be.  American Fisheries Society members and meeting participants will want to know which techniques and technologies are state of the art and how they can apply these tools to their particular issues.  This  symposium will provide information and applications to help bring scientists, managers, regulators, and others up to speed on leading edge tools for investigative fish science.