IFS Symposium 2017

147th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society
Tampa, Florida
August 20-24
Getting from concept to reality – Innovative techniques and technologies for control of non indigenous fish

Millions of dollars a year, and much effort, is spent on control of non indigenous fish with minimal long term benefits to native fish species. Despite documentation of limited of successes, many conservation actions continue to focus on traditional fish control methods as a tool to minimize impacts of non indigenous fish. Mechanical control techniques are a common practice that requires large amounts of resources and constant and heavy suppression efforts. Chemical treatments have shown to be successful, but can be wrought with controversy that may impede conservation efforts. Various workshops and symposium have been held over the years to discuss both local and international non indigenous fish control issues. In 2010, an international symposium on genetic biocontrol was held in Minneapolis designed to create an opportunity for fisheries managers, scientists, and regulators to discuss issues surrounding genetic biocontrol.

The purpose of this symposium is to build off previous workshops and symposium by inviting speakers who have either had success with, or are in the process of, improving or developing new techniques for non-indigenous fish control. Additionally, regulators will be invited to speak towards the regulatory processes that guide approval of control methods, and managers that can speak towards the social and political hurdles of implementing control strategies. Attendees should leave this symposium with a better understanding of a path forward to take new ideas and methods from concept to on the ground action.

Chair:
Bill Stewart
Organizers:
Julie Carter, Jessica Gwinn, and Bill Stewart