Sport Fish Restoration Program's Contribution to Fisheries Professionalism

The American Fisheries Society is the world's oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources. Fisheries professionals promote conservation through research, education, management, and administration.  They must maintain high standards of competence and integrity in order to establish the confidence and respect necessary to bring credit to their profession, employer, and community.  The Sport Fish Restoration Program improves fisheries professionalism by: 1) contributing to the development of professional standards for personnel and projects funded through the program; 2) providing stable and secure funding to improve sport fish populations and aquatic habitats through research and management and ultimately, education; and, 3) encouraging the transfer of critical scientific information.  The annual Sport Fish Restoration outstanding project awards given by the Fisheries Administration Section of the American Fisheries Society are intended to both highlight the importance and effectiveness of the Sport Fish Restoration program and showcase outstanding fisheries projects from across the country in fisheries management, research, and education.