The Emerging Science-Based Advocacy Role of the American Fisheries Society

Abstract

Within a few months of its founding in 1870, the tradition of science-based advocacy in the American Fisheries Society (AFS) was established. The American Fish Culturist's Association, as it was then called, lodged protests with the U.S. State Department and Canada against obstructions in the St. Lawrence River that restricted the migration of salmon. Prompt response was obtained. In addition to resource advocacy, as a professional society our mission encompasses scientific development and professional service objectives. Throughout its history the Society has done an excellent job of building fisheries science through gathering and disseminating information, recognizing educational, scientific, and technical accomplishments, and establishing standards for the fisheries profession. The result of our science-based advocacy has been less distinguished--we have documented the decline of fish populations and the loss of supporting fish habitats as human population expansion and attendant resource development has occurred. In recognition of this failure, 92% of the Society's membership surveyed in 1986 gave medium or high priority to more active participation by AFS in developing environmental policy. The Society has since increased its advocacy and lobbying activities. We support agency fishery program budgets, develop legislation, and comment on legislative initiatives of others. We have formed a coalition of fishermen to conserve habitat; sponsored the Mississippi Interjurisdictional Cooperative Resources Agreement; and launched the Fisheries Action Network. We recognize that if AFS is to participate in bringing about a reversal of the declines cited above, the Society must put scientific facts into a context of environmental ethics and shared community values to effectively and clearly communicate the fishery consequences of decisions on the management of land and water resources.