IAFS 40th Aniversery

40th Anniversary of the Indiana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

Plenary Session
40 Something - A Hoosier Fisheries Milestone

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Indiana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. These past four decades have also witnessed the evolution of a significant, private aquatic management industry in Indiana as well as development of an effective, multifaceted program for public fisheries resource management. The common bond linking these activities has been fisheries professionals and they, in turn, have remained linked through the IN-AFS Chapter.

This plenary will examine the story of the Chapter’s development and rich history as well as look back at those early days in the development of private and public aquatic/fisheries management in Indiana. But this is more than just a trip down memory lane. Today’s speakers will suggest how our history helps shape our future as fisheries professionals. A “question and answer” session” to engage the audience in the discussion will conclude the plenary.

Our tour guides to yesteryear and the future consist of two charter members of the IN-AFS Chapter, Dr. Tom McComish and Gary Doxtater. Our third presenter is Bill James who only missed being a charter member by one year and has served as the Indiana DNR’s Chief of Fisheries for the past 31 years. All three of our speakers have been recognized for their contributions to the Chapter and Indiana fisheries resources as past recipients of our Chapter’s highest individual honor, the “Excellence in Fisheries Science” award.