About AFS | Our History | National AFS

About AFS

AFS promotes scientific research and enlightened management of resources for optimum use and enjoyment by the public. It also encourages a comprehensive education for fisheries scientists and continuing on-the-job training. The AFS publishes some of the world's leading fisheries research journals:

• Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
• North American Journal of Fisheries Management
• North American Journal of Aquaculture (Formerly The Progressive Fish Culturist)
• The Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
• Fisheries

AFS organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed. In addition to these primary functions, the Society has many other programs in areas such as professional certification, international affairs, public affairs and public information.

More than 100 chapters, divisions, student subunits, and sections carry out the mission of the society at the local, regional, and special interest level.




Chapters, Divisions, and Sections

Chapters

The mission of Chapters within the American Fisheries Society is to advance Society goals by coordinating member activities related to information exchange, outreach, and aquatic stewardship within their geographic region, including coordinating with appropriate local, provincial, and state-level government and nongovernmental agencies and organizations. Chapters serve member needs in local and provincial/state areas and represent those needs to the Division leadership. The California-Nevada Chapter is one of the largest in AFS with more than 500 members.

Divisions

The mission of Divisions within the American Fisheries Society is to advance Society goals by coordinating and complementing Chapter activities related to information exchange, outreach, aquatic stewardship, and governance at a regional level, and to maintain a liaison role with regional resource stakeholders. Divisions serve member needs in large geographic areas by coordinating with provincial and state-level agencies and organizations, and among AFS units, and representing Chapter needs to the AFS leadership (i.e., Society officers, Executive Director, and Governing Board members).

Sections

The mission of Sections within the American Fisheries Society is to advance Society goals by coordinating activities of members with similar disciplinary and topical interests, by stimulating information exchange and outreach related to those interests, and by providing expertise to AFS and other users. Sections serve member needs without geographic limits and represent member needs to the AFS leadership, particularly as they relate to the discipline or topical area. Sections may work with geographically-based AFS units to address specific member needs.