An Overview of North American AFS Freshwater Fish Sampling Standardization

Recently, the American Fisheries Society developed standard methods to sample freshwater fish populations, publishing them in 2009 in the book Standard Methods for Sampling North American Freshwater Fishes.  This project involved 284 scientists from 107 different organizations across Canada, Mexico and the United States.   Data collected using standard methods gives biologists improved ability to compare data across regions or time.  This meets increasing needs for larger regional or global scale assessments, and helps biologists to communicate and share data across political boundaries. Current research on standard methods focuses on calibration of local techniques to the North American methods, development of efficiency models for active techniques such as electrofishing; development of web-based electronic means to compile and compare data collected from standardized monitoring efforts; and collaboration with fisheries biologists on other continents in developing and comparing standard methodologies.  An overview of current research on standard fisheries sampling techniques and how AFS standard methods are being incorporated into North American fisheries management illustrates the importance of advancements in technology and communication among biologists when conserving the continent’s fish populations.