An Evaluation of Social Media Uses Within the American Fisheries Society

Many professional societies are currently using social media as a mechanism for outreach, as a way to provide services for their membership, and to attract new members. The Special Committee on Science Communication was formed to explore how the American Fisheries Society can stay relevant amid the growing use of social media by science organizations and agencies, and how social media can be used to meet the societies goals. The committee conducted a survey to assess the various ways that individual AFS units and subunits are currently using social media platforms to connect with its members and to share information outside the society. The results of the survey will be presented as well as examples of the uses, successes, and benefits from using social media within the society.