Fabrizio elected AFS President
Virginia Institute of Marine Science Associate Professor Mary Fabrizio has
been elected President of the 9,000-member American Fisheries Society (AFS),
the oldest and largest association of fisheries professionals in the world.

Fabrizio's research at VIMS focuses on the population dynamics of finfish.
She also manages the Institute's juvenile fish surveys, which have since
1955 played an important role in helping to manage Chesapeake Bay's fish
populations.

VIMS Dean and Director John Wells says "Mary's leadership in AFS is clear
proof of her stature in the fisheries community, and reflects well on the
high quality of our faculty."

Fabrizio has an ambitious work plan during her tenure in the AFS's top spot.
Her two top priorities are to promote sound stewardship of fisheries
resources and provide clear channels for communicating science-based
information to stakeholders.

She plans to promote aquatic stewardship through continued AFS support of
the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, a broad coalition of US conservation
groups; universities; industry partners; and federal, state, local, and
tribal agencies.

Fabrizio also plans to enhance AFS activities internationally. She recently
represented AFS at the first meeting of its new Mexican Chapter, and plans
an active role for the Society at the 5th World Fisheries Congress in
Yokohama, Japan in October 2008. This five-day conference will focus on
current global issues in fisheries, including aquaculture, biotechnology,
biodiversity and management, and climate change and fisheries.

"The World Fisheries Congress, and other jointly sponsored meetings, serve
as important platforms for developing publications, briefings, and policy
statements on stewardship issues," says Fabrizio.

Fabrizio will also promote a continued shift toward electronic communication
of AFS findings, including creation of an open-access electronic journal in
coastal and marine fisheries. AFS already publishes several leading
peer-reviewed print journals, including Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society, North American Journal of Fisheries Management, North
American Journal of Aquaculture, and the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health.

Digital communications, writes Fabrizio, can "deliver fisheries information
to professionals working in remote areas or in parts of the world where one
of the few links to science-based information is through the Internet. Such
information strengthens the knowledge base upon which we manage our
resources."

Another part of Fabrizio's plan is to develop strategies for recruitment and
training of student leaders. "AFS has taken significant steps towards
improving opportunities for student contributions to Society activities,
including participation at meetings, involvement with publications, and
serving in leadership roles," says Fabrizio. She envisions developing a
cadre of new leaders to champion member needs, and ensuring leadership
development opportunities for AFS members.

Fabrizio, a founding member of the AFS Equal Opportunities Section, will
also strive as President to include underrepresented groups in AFS
governance.

Fabrizio's tenure as AFS president caps a five-year commitment to the
Society, with a two-year term as vice president, and a year each as
President-elect, President, and Past President. Each term of office brings a
growing number of assignments. To date, Fabrizio has chaired 7 AFS
committees and served on 19 others.

During her career, Fabrizio has published more than 30 peer-reviewed
publications and 26 technical reports. She is a fellow with the American
Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, a member of the Board of Directors
for the Fisheries Conservation Foundation, and served as President of the
AFS Marine Fisheries Section from 2002-2004.

VIMS Associate Professor Mary Fabrizio

Dr. Mary Fabrizio (L) surgically implants a miniature radio transmitter into
a summer flounder during a tagging study off the New Jersey coast.