In the face of mounting pressure on Australia’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, there is a continuing need for robust scientific information to support the sustainable development and management of our aquatic resources. The ASFB is Australasia’s premier professional association for fish and fisheries researchers. The annual science conference makes an important and tangible contribution to skill development of people involved in fish and fisheries research and management, particularly offering students and early career researchers opportunities to present their work, interact with peers and develop collaborative links. The ASFB has a strong commitment to promoting and communicating science, encouraging sustainable management practices, encouraging excellence in fisheries research, and recognizing outstanding contributions of scientists and professionals through various awards and scholarships. Additionally, the ASFB has recognised the need for increased international engagement via increased active involvement with in particular World Council of Fisheries Societies and with the American Fisheries Society.
This proposal is seeking sponsorship support for the annual science conference in 2020 (virtual conference due to COVID-19 restrictions), 2021 (WFS congress, Adelaide), 2022 (Joint congress with Indo-Pacific Conference, Auckland) and a series of conference associated awards that support student travel and recognise research excellence. The proposal addresses three people development program goals, namely (i) to encourage knowledge transfer and R&D adoption (ASFB annual science conference) and (ii) to recognise and promote achievements (ASFB awards) and (iii) to enhance industry leadership (bringing together a range of people for the annual conference). These activities will encourage participation and exchange of information and provide an opportunity to develop networks and collaborations with outside organisations. In addition, we also seek support to hold an event at the WFC in Adelaide to celebrate the Society’s 50th year and promote the achievements of Australia and New Zealand’s fish and fisheries science over the last 50 years.

In the face of mounting pressure on Australia’s marine and freshwater ecosystems, arising from environmental and human factors, there is a need for robust scientific information to support the sustainable development and management of our aquatic resources. The Australian Society for Fish Biology (ASFB) is Australia’s premier professional association for fish and fisheries researchers in Australia. The annual science conference (and workshop) makes an important and tangible contribution to skill development of people involved in fish and fisheries research and management, particularly offering students and early career researchers opportunities to present their work, interact with peers, develop collaborative links and obtain new ideas. ASFB has a strong commitment to promoting and communicating science, encouraging sustainable management practices, encouraging excellence in fisheries research, and recognizing outstanding contributions of scientists and professionals through various awards and scholarships.

This proposal is seeking sponsorship support for the annual science conference in 2011 (Townsville) and 2012 (South Australia) and a series of conference associated awards that support student travel and recognise research excellence. The proposal addresses two people development program priorities, namely (i) to encourage knowledge transfer and R&D adoption (ASFB annual science conference) and (ii) to recognise and promote achievements (ASFB research awards). Focus of the latter is clearly on early career researchers, not only in providing encouragement to strive for research excellence but to encourage participation in the exchange of information and to provide opportunity to develop networks and collaborations with outside organisations.

The ASFB, through our annual conference and network of members has a forum for exchange of information. For our 2015 conference we are proposing to support the attendance of Paul Lumley the Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) as a keynote speaker and organise some targeted workshops prior to the conference in Darwin (lead by NT Fisheries, Bo Carne and Charles Darwin University, Alison King) and Mildura (lead by Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, Lee Baumgartner & Deb Bogenhuber).

Mr Lumley has been selected as our preferred keynote based on his extensive history working with Northwest US tribes on salmon issues, particularly in the Columbia River Basin. He previously spent 17 years with CRITFC working on biological issues associated with power stations, and has also assisted in fund raising and establishing a grant program for the four Columbia River treaty tribes. Mr Lumley has indicated availability and a preliminary commitment to attend and undertake proposed workshops and present Keynote.

ASFB has a commitment to increase engagement between ASFB members and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, within the scope of the society. We recognise that to support this involves improving opportunities for Indigenous people to engage in research, fisheries management and compliance and other commercial activities. There is a great deal of interest in the ability to develop and start new commercial initiatives that maintain ongoing Indigenous interests and concerns in the fisheries management and industry and environmental rehabilitation. Australian Indigenous experience in commercial fisheries has gained momentum, and many of our members have expressed an interest in learning from International First Nations and Indigenous peoples experience.

We have in principal support for this activity through Indigenous agencies and advisory groups, including the Fisheries Research and Development Corporations Indigenous Reference Group, Northern Territory Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, the Murray Lower Darling Indigenous Nations.