Oregon State University Scientist Becomes American Fisheries Society President

Bethesda, MD, October 19, 2013 --(PR.com)-- “As we enter further into the Anthropocene with all its global land and water manifestations, it will become increasingly necessary to collaborate across disciplines and political jurisdictions if we are to make our research politically and socially, as well as scientifically, useful. In other words, we must think and act both locally and globally (or regionally) if our science is to be globally (or regionally) applicable.” -Bob Hughes

Bob Hughes, a senior research professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University and a senior scientist with Amnis Opes Institute, has become president of the American Fisheries Society (AFS). Created in 1870 and with 9000 members, AFS (www.fisheries.org) is the world's largest and oldest organization of professional fish and fishery scientists and managers. As president, Hughes chairs the AFS Governing Board, which implements the AFS Strategic Plan that guides the activities of 34 standing committees and 48 chapters in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The Governing Board includes four geographic divisions and 21 sections based on member interests ranging from bioengineering and water quality to socioeconomics and international fisheries. The AFS mission is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. AFS publishes five scientific journals and a monthly magazine that is circulated to members in 58 nations.

Author of over 150 publications, Dr. Hughes’ research activities focus on biological assessments of streams, lakes, and rivers across large geographic areas in the United States, Europe, Brazil, China, and India. Hughes developed and tested field methods and indicators that have been incorporated into the USEPA’s National River and Stream Assessment. He is currently a member of Oregon’s Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team, which reviews state actions for rehabilitating salmon populations and watersheds. Bob has served on national advisory committees for the National Ecological Observatory Network, Aquatic Gap Analysis Program, European Fish Index, National Research Agency of France, and Water Environment Research Federation. He has received Distinguished Service and Best Paper Awards from the AFS, a Special Recognition Award from the AFS Western Division, a Fisheries Worker of the Year Award from the AFS Oregon Chapter, an Environmental Stewardship Award from the North American Benthological Society (now the Society for Freshwater Science), and two Fulbright Awards for research and education in Brazil.