Theme: Biodiversity Conservation in the Face of Development
March 2–4, Geneva Park, Orillia, Ontario
The Ontario Chapter of the American Fisheries Society hosted our 2017 Annual General Meeting and Conference at the YMCA—Geneva Park in Orillia, Ontario, on March 2nd-4th.
The conference was attended by a total of 67 participants including 39 professionals, 26 students and 2 exhibitors. Eighty-five percent of attendees were AFS-OC members. Professional attendance included a full range of representatives including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, conservation authorities, consultants and academic researchers.
A continuing education workshop “Working with Indigenous Communities 101” was instructed by Gary Pritchard on the afternoon of Thursday March 2nd an a MNRF-sponsored Brook Trout Monitoring and Conservation Symposium was hosted the afternoon of Friday March 3rd. The Brook Trout symposium featured 10 talks, 1 poster and an open discussion. An additional 21 oral presentations and 5 posters were displayed during the conference, including a special presentation from Yvonne Brown of Ontario Women Anglers.
Tej Heer, from the University of Toronto, was awarded the E.J. Crossman Award for best oral presentation, and the Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation (OBN) Award for best poster presentation was awarded to Vivian Nguyen, from Carleton University. Abstracts for both presentations can be found within the 2017 Annual Meeting Program. The 2017 Outstanding Mentor Award was won by Dr. Robert McLaughlin from the University of Guelph. The Past President award was presented to Lee Gutowsky by current Chapter President Jessica Wright.
Following the business meeting, trade show and poster session on Friday afternoon, we were treated to another excellent dinner from the staff at Geneva Park. After dinner, everyone enjoyed our evening social which included a mentorship session and student subunit raffle.
There were a number of vendors that participated in the AGM, including Hoskin Scientific, Lotek Wireless, and Haltech Aquatic Research Inc.
Thank you to Geneva Park staff, AFS-OC Executive Committee, Student Subunit, and of course all those who attended and participated, for making the 2017 AFS Annual Meeting and Conference a success!
Photo Gallery
We would like to thank our sponsors and exhibitors who provided financial support and/or prizes. They include:
