American Fisheries Society
Alaska Chapter
The Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is a professional organization of individuals interested in maintaining high standards for the fisheries profession and ensuring conservation of Alaska's fisheries. This web site is a source of current information regarding the Alaska Chapter and its activities.

The Chapter is soliciting nominations for the Meritorious Service Award (MSA), the Chapter Service Award (CSA), the Almost Darwin Award, and the Wally Noerenberg Award for Fishery Excellence.  I encourage all members to consider deserving individuals and submit nominations for these awards.  Please use the form below to make your nominations.  Award presentations will occur at the 2010 Annual Meeting.

NOMINATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY January 31, 2010.

Nominations for the MSA can be based on an outstanding contribution in any area of Alaska fisheries, including research, management, education, planning, industry, and policy development.  Nominations do not have to come from AFS members, nor do nominees need to be active members.  The contribution or accomplishment of the candidate must be recent and not the result of many years of effort; recognition of career-long contributions is more appropriate for the Wally Noerenberg Award.  The Awards Committee will select winners based on strength of the nomination and the accomplishment.

The CSA was established to award outstanding service to the Alaska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.  These candidates should have been involved in some or all of the following activities: active participation in standing or ad-hoc committees; made important contributions to advance the current objectives, long-term goals or stature of the Chapter and fisheries professionals; contributed a significant amount of time to Chapter activities; improved public awareness of the Alaska Chapter and Chapter activities; encouraged development of students as fisheries professionals through recruitment and involvement as Chapter members; and recruited fisheries professionals as Chapter members.  Submit MSA and CSA award nominations and letters of support for nominations to Theresa Tanner, USFWS, 605 W 4th Ave., Rm G-61, Anchorage, AK 99501, (907) 271-1799, theresa_tanner@fws.gov.

The Almost Darwin Award recognizes the most humorous and outrageous fisheries faux pas of any fisheries professional.  The nominees must have committed the faux pas within the last calendar year.  Please include a photo of proof along with the story.  Submit award nomination stories and photos to Theresa Tanner, USFWS, 605 W 4th Ave., Rm G-61, Anchorage, AK 99501, (907) 271-1799, theresa_tanner@fws.gov.

The Wally Noerenberg Award for Fishery Excellence, the highest award of the Alaska Chapter, is bestowed as a special honor on individuals who have made great and outstanding contributions to Alaska fisheries.  This award was established in 1981 by resolution of the membership.  The membership has also set, by resolution, specific guidelines for the Noerenberg Award Committee.  Nominee contributions may include scientific research; technological development; species and habitat management; innovations in harvesting, processing, or marketing; academic and fishery education; or involvement in national and international affairs affecting Alaska fisheries.  Submit Wally Noerenberg Award nominations and letters of support for nominations to Ted Otis, ADF&G, Division of Commercial Fisheries, 3298 Douglas Place, Homer, AK 99603-8027, (907) 235-1723, ted.otis@alaska.gov.

Rewarding excellence is an enjoyable but challenging task and finding judges is a challenge too.  If you would like to help out, the chapter is soliciting members for the Awards Committee.  If you are interested in being a part of this committee please contact Theresa Tanner at theresa_tanner@fws.gov or (907) 271-1799.

The Application Form for the 2010 Chapter awards is available as a either an MSWord (2003) or Adobe PDF document below:

	Application Form MSWord (36)
	Application Form PDF (15  Kbytes)

NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN MOVED EARLIER IN THE YEAR --- AND IS 31 JANUARY 2010!!!