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The Lateral Line Spring 2016
1
The Lateral Line Arkansas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
Spring 2016 Edition
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President’s Message from Tate Wentz Greetings everyone, I hope this newsletter finds you gearing up for another season
afield. While considering several ideas for this message, I had several that ranged from
encouraging your involvement in the Chapter (subunits, mentorship, volunteer),
discussing the importance of scientific rigor in our work, or even just saying thank you
(a lot). However, I quickly reviewed words of wisdom imparted by our Presidents over
the last 15 years in an effort to highlight concerns that were not simply reiterations of
previous messages.
Surprisingly, the number of messages that discussed environmental and regulatory
issues or improvement of scientific defensibility of our work was only around 18% and
5%, respectively. The Chapter membership is among the most well suited non-profit
organizations in the State to provide technical comments on environmental or
regulatory issues. The Environmental Affairs Committee is currently comprised of only
a small handful of people; however, my opinion is that this should be one of the most
active committees in our Chapter. I know more than most members therein lies a
potential conflict of interest in participating with this committee. Nevertheless, a more
concerted effort to provide critical and technical comments through our Environmental
Affairs liaison during public participation processes affecting our State’s natural
resources provide an opportunity to participate without the possibility of individual
retribution.
Research has always been an integral part of the Chapter. I was encouraged by
several past presidents’ messages that reminded the Chapter of the importance of
developing critical hypothesis tests. When your questions (hypotheses) have been
thoroughly vetted through the scientific process, then next step is to share your data.
After leaving academia, it has become uncomfortable easy to become the narrow sluice
that prevents knowledge expansion. It is incumbent upon all of us as to improve the
lines of scientific communication with the public and to educate them about regulatory
policies, stream ecology, or fisheries management. Our Chapter members are the best
equipped in the state to spread this knowledge and awareness than any other
organization.
Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not thank all those who generously volunteer year in
and year out with Chapter meetings, activities, committee appointments, or as officers.
The Chapter is fortunate to have such dedicated members. I look forward to serving
you all and hopefully not falling too flat.
Also in this
Edition:
Officer and
Committee
Reports (Pgs.
2-3)
Featured
Article: 30th
Anniversary
(Pgs. 4-5)
Student
Subunit
Reports
(Pgs. 6-8)
Miscellaneous
Info (Pg. 8)
-Upcoming
Meetings
-Officer
Contact Info
Science Fair
Results (Pg. 9)
2015 Chapter
Meeting
Highlights
(Pg. 10)
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Past-President’s Message- Jeff Quinn
Greetings. My hat goes off to President Tate
Wentz for organizing the 30th meeting of the
Arkansas Chapter in Fairfield Bay. The Chapter
put together a great collection of presentations
that made for a memorable event. I’ve enjoyed
my time on the Executive Committee, especially
getting to know my fellow officers better. They
have been an excellent group of folks to work
with. My main job for this year is to run the
Nominations/Awards Committee. The call for
nominations/awards will go out in the winter
newsletter. If you are applying to get certified,
please do not forget that the Chapter will
reimburse you for $50 of the cost. So please fill
out your applications and get your receipts and
proof of certification to Jason Throneberry!
Finally, thanks to everyone who judges the
regional and state High School Science Fairs.
Keep up the good work and I hope you have a
great summer!
Chapter Website
Please take time to check out the website for
updates and news as we are making changes
routinely. Also, please remember that this is your
website and the content and information on it is
provided by the EXCOM and our membership.
Recommendations and contributions in the form
of notices, job announcements, retirement
announcements, thesis completions, photos,
etcetera, are welcome. Lindsey also tries to update
the Facebook page for you at the same time or you
are welcome to join the group and post there as
well. All are welcome to contribute and additional
pages may be created for sub-units or other
important issues as needed. Just send Lindsey an
email and he'll get on it as quickly as possible.
E-mail: [email protected].
Officer and Committee Reports
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Balance Brought Forward:
February 13, 2016 $25,511.71
INCOME
Interest Deposits (Simmons Bank),
February 2015 - April 2016 $12.69
Meeting Deposit (Cash and Checks) $3,086.00
Square Deposit $2,180.09
PayPal Deposit $4,036.34
Total Income $9,315.12
Subtotal $34,826.83
DISBURSEMENTS
Past President Luncheon $263.60
Discount Trophies $536.83
L.A. Frames $500.58
Charge for Cancelled Check $13.00
Parent Society Check Chargeback $130.20
Total Disbursements $1,444.21
Balance on Hand: May 13, 2016 $33,382.62
Prepared by Jason Throneberry 5/13/2016
Arkansas Chapter AFS
Treasury Report
Ideas for next Lateral Line?
Thanks to everyone who provided information for
this edition of the LL. As always, I encourage you,
Chapter members, to give me ideas and share your
suggestions for future editions. This fall, I’d like to get
more information on subunit activities, as I know they
are doing a lot of good work- Let’s share it! Thanks!
-Christy Graham, Newsletter Editor
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Education Committee
THANK YOU to the judges of our science fairs! Without all of your time and expertise there is no
way that we would be able to provide positive
feedback for the great work these students are
doing in fisheries and aquatics. Once again, THANK
YOU SO MUCH!!!
I am still maintaining my quest of seamless
communications between the chapter and the
subunits and things are improving. I feel this
mission not only serves our chapter but the
students as well. We are searching for a time frame
to best hold a meeting with all the subunits for an
educational meeting. As always, any ideas from the
subunits or the Chapter on things they want to see
come out of the Education Committee, please don’t
hesitate to contact me.
-JJ Gladden, Education Committee Chair
Check out the Arkansas Chapter AFS Facebook page!
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Raffle Committee
I just want to give a big “THANK YOU” to all of the participants of the silent auction and raffle this past February during our annual meeting held at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Congratulations to all of our lucky winners, hoping you are enjoying the items you won! If you were unable to attend this meeting, we were fortunate to provide 4 excellent items for the raffle, with the top item being a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 kayak, valued at $740. The person with the “golden ticket” for the kayak was Cody Speight with AGFC. This year’s raffle brought in a total of $1,482 for our chapter. We had 46 different items and packages in this year’s silent auction. Several of those were brought in by our members during the meeting. Thanks to those of you that brought these items, your contribution is very much appreciated. It is an honor and pleasure to work in this committee position, and I hope to continue to provide our chapter members with the opportunities to bid and buy chances for great items at future meetings. I have some good ideas in my head that I think will be popular at next year’s event, and as always, I am open for any ideas or opportunities that may be available. Thanks for everyone’s support to this great chapter, and I look forward to seeing all of you soon. –Eli Powers, Raffle Committee Chair
Would you like to join the Arkansas
Chapter AFS?? If you are interested in joining or renewing your
membership to the Arkansas Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society, please visit the Chapter
web site, or contact Jason Throneberry at
[email protected]. If your e-mail address
has changed recently, please let us know!
UCA members (top left to right): Sam Massery,
Andrew Penson, Stephanie Stoughton and Lori
Monday (bottom left to right): Michelle Fleming
and Lucy Baker show off their silent auction
winnings at the state AFS meeting. Thanks, Eli!!
The Lateral Line Spring 2016
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Featured Article:
Arkansas Chapter AFS Celebrates its 30 year history
><(((º> Chapter
Presidents:
Past,
Present, and
Future!
Chartered on October 1, 1986, the Chapter celebrated its 30 year anniversary at the meeting in February. The
Chapter’s History Committee, comprised of members Chris Racey, Betty Crump, Steve Filipek, Charlie Gagen, and
Rich Grippo, spent months soliciting information from Chapter members and pouring through old meeting notes in
order to document its history. Without a doubt, the Chapter has had a productive 30 years. Here are some of the
highlights, presented by Chris at the meeting:
Membership:
1990: 45 members
2015: 120 members
><(((º> Awarded “Best SDAFS Chapter Award” in 1997!
><(((º> The Chapter has hosted 31 in-state meetings, three in
cooperation with other organizations or agencies (1998: AR-
OK-KS, 2005: AR-TWS-USFS, and 2011: AR-TWS) and
participated in three out-of-state joint meetings (2000: AR-
LA-TX, 2003: AR-TN, 2008: AR-MS)
><(((º> The Chapter has also hosted three SDAFS and National meetings in Little Rock:
Southern Division AFS Meetings in 1994 and 2002 143rd Annual AFS Parent Society Meeting in 2013
><(((º> Chapter Goals:
Promote the wise management,
conservation, and use of the fishery and
aquatic resources of Arkansas
Facilitate the exchange and
dissemination of information among
fisheries and aquatic professionals
throughout all fields within the
discipline
Increase the public’s awareness of
Arkansas’ aquatic and fisheries
resources and expand their participation
in fisheries and related projects and
issues.
Assist in the implementation and
attainment of AFS parent society goals
and objectives
><(((º> Logo Change in 2014!
1986 D. Ebert 1994 J. Giese 2002 B. Crump 2010 G. Adams
1987 S. Filipek 1995 B. Layher 2003 K. Shirley 2011 C. Dennis
1988 M. Freeze 1996 J. Petersen 2004 C. Davidson 2012 L. Lewis
1989 M. Armstrong 1997 L. Rider 2005 J. Stoeckel 2013 C. Racey
1990 L. Aggus 1998 M. Oliver 2006 J. Jackson 2014 B. Batten
1991 F. Payne 1999 B. Wagner 2007 J. Wise 2015 J. Quinn
1992 J. Rickett 2000 C. Gagen 2008 B. Justus 2016 T. Wentz
1993 D. Turman 2001 S. Lochmann 2009 D. Bowman 2017 E. Brinkman
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><(((º> With 6 Subunits
(UAPB, UCA, ATU, ASU,
UA-F, and UALR) we
have more student
sub-units than any
other AFS Chapter!
><(((º>The Chapter Recognizes Outstanding
Achievements by Individuals and
Organizations:
Joe Hogan Award: Originally called the
“Outstanding Biologist Award”, was
first awarded to Steve Filipek in 1994
Robert M. Jenkins Award: Originally
called the “Outstanding Conservation
Award” was first awarded in 1997 to
SWPA. Fourteen organizations have
received this award since 1997.
><(((º>The Chapter also recognizes the efforts
of its members at each meeting:
Best Professional Paper (1990)
Best Graduate Paper (1993)
Best Undergraduate Papter (1993)
Best Poster (varies)
Outstanding Subunit members (2000)
><(((º> Chapter members have
also engaged in a
number of aquatic
issues statewide,
including but not
limited to, stream
impoundment,
chemical
contamination,
introduction of exotic
species, Mercury in
fishes, hydropower re-
licensing, large river
collaboration, and
gravel mining.
><(((º> Chapter Service Activities Include:
Chapter Litter Pickups
Science Fairs- judging and awards
Educational Outreach
Professional Development
Participation in state, regional and national
fisheries and aquatic resource organizations.
Fundraisers (“stuff the boat”, Fish Fry, etc.)
><(((º> Goals for the future: Where do we go from here?
Fill in the historical gaps;
Archive our history on the Chapter webpage;
Ensure critical data and events are accurately
captured on an annual basis going forward
If you come across any information or documents relevant to the Chapter’s History, please let a committee member know!
The Lateral Line Spring 2016
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The Student Subunit Section
ATTENTION SUBUNIT
OFFICERS! Remember to e-mail JJ
([email protected]) ASAP with
any changes to your list of current
subunit officers.
UAPB Subunit:
In January, members of the UAPB Aquaculture and Fisheries
club participated in a trout-fishing derby at the MLK Jr. Park Pond
in Pine Bluff. In February, members of the UAPB Aquaculture and
Fisheries club attended the Arkansas Chapter AFS meeting in
Fairfield Bay to present their research and attend scientific talks.
Several members also attended the World Aquaculture Society
meeting in Las Vegas, NV to present their research. At our February
meeting, Ben Thesing, an Environmental Analyst from the
Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, gave a seminar
on mitigation properties.
In March, we hosted the “2016 White Bass Bonanza”, which is a
White Bass fishing tournament on Caney Bayou for club members.
During the event, we also had a fish fry and held a raffle to raise
money for the club. Members of the club also participated in the
“Keep Bayou Bartholomew Clean” event, a trash clean up on Bayou
Bartholomew. Jimmy Barnett, Aquatic Nuisance Species
Coordinator for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, gave a
seminar at our March meeting. Unfortunately, we were unable to
judge the 2016 Southeast Arkansas Regional Science Fair at UAM
due to immense flooding in that portion of the state at that time.
Kyler and Greyson volunteering at the
“Keep Bayou Bartholomew Clean” Event.
UAPB subunit members who volunteered at the “Fishing for Heroes” event.
Brian Wagner, Nongame Aquatics
Biologist from the Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission, gave a seminar
on endemic darters and crayfish in
Arkansas at our April meeting. A few
members also volunteered at the
“Fishing for Heroes” event, a fishing
derby held at MLK Jr. Park Pond in
Pine Bluff, for kids with special
needs. We also held officer elections
for the 2016-2017 school year. We
have had an exciting year and look
forward to the 2016-2017 school
year.
-Kyler Hecke, President, UAPB Subunit
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UCA Subunit: This has been an extremely busy spring for the UCA subunit. Starting in February, the subunit
participated in seven different science nights in Mayflower and Conway, where preserved
macroinvertebrates and fishes and live snakes and turtles were brought for children and parents to handle.
We also sold our fish hook bracelets at science nights to raise money to send members to professional
meetings.
The subunit sent nine graduate students and three undergraduates to two different professional
meetings this spring: The Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology and American Fisheries Society.
Members gave oral or poster presentations on their research and member Chris Robinson won “Best
Student Poster” at the AFS meeting. This summer, we will be sending nine graduate students to attend two
more professional meetings: the Society of Freshwater Sciences and the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and
Herpetologists where they will be presenting their research.
Elections for officers were held in March with the following results: President-Chelsey Sherwood, Vice-
President-Geoffry Spooner, Secretary-Stephanie Stoughton, Treasurer-Sam Massery, and Communications
Master-Michelle Fleming.
April was a very busy month. Ten members assisted in judging the annual state Science Fair and our
subunit presented the Special Award for AFS. Seven members participated as team leaders in our annual
outreach event, The Girls of Power and Stem, where over 350 eighth grade girls, volunteers, and chaperones
come from all over Arkansas to listen to women speakers from various STEM disciplines. Three members
assisted Luke Pearson in the fish seining program for homeschooled children at Pinnacle Mountain State
Park. We did seining demonstrations and brought preserved fishes for children to sort through and learn
major families. The subunit also led the aquatics talk at the Aviators and Pollinators outreach event at
Grotto Springs Ranch in Mountain View. We brought live macroinvertebrates and did an electrofishing
backpack demonstration.
The subunit decided on a new logo and shirts for our new subunit name, Fisheries and Wildlife Society.
We will also be participating in two different fishing derbies this summer to assist in weighing and
measuring fish, the Joe Hogan Fishing Derby at Lonoke and the Kids Fishing Derby at Pinnacle Mountain
State Park.
-Chelsey Sherwood, President, UCA Subunit
Undergraduate subunit member, Jacob
Waymack, showing preserved fishes at a
science night
FWS member Lori Monday
showing snakes at a
science night
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2015-16 Meeting Announcements
To view EXCOM meeting minutes from May 2016,
please visit the Chapter website:
http://sdafs.org/arkafs/AFS/
146th Annual Meeting of the American
Fisheries Society
August 21st-25th, 2016, Sheraton Kansas
City, Kansas City, MO
http://2016.fisheries.org/
Getting in Touch: Current Officers
President: Tate Wentz
President-Elect: Eric Brinkman,
Secretary: Jessie Green
Treasurer: Jason Throneberry,
Past President: Jeff Quinn,
Hey Students! Do you want to share your research in
future editions of the Lateral Line? Your project doesn’t
have to be complete to share with others- if you are
excited about your project, others will be too. I’ll be
looking for another project to highlight in the Fall 2016
edition- first come first serve!
If you are interested, let me know!
UALR Subunit: The Aquatic Sciences Association at UALR has been very busy so far this year. We have had
various guest speakers at every meeting, pot lucks, volunteer cleanups, and even a float trip. Dr. Reed Green
spoke on algal blooms and Phycol, William Ketcheside presented research he worked on for his Master’s
degree, and a group of students who studied the geology and ecology of the Bahamas presented on their trip
from spring break. Members also participated in the Fourch Creek Cleanup where tons of trash were
removed from around the creek at various locations. More recently our club took a float trip along Cadron
Creek where we also camped out. Cadron Creek Outfitters outside of Greenbrier was very helpful and
provided a wonderful service for us. We are looking forward to going back!
ATU Subunit: This Spring, ATU members took part in Dover Elementary's first annual science field day. They brought a diverse variety of fish species for the kids to identify as well as electrofishing gear. During the event(pictured below), Zach Moran taught fish ID, Andrew Porterfield taught boat electrofishing, and Jacob Martin taught backpack electrofishing.
70th Annual Conference of the
Southeastern Association of Fish and
Wildlife Agencies
October 16th-19th, 2016
Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center
Baton Rouge, LA
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The Lateral Line Spring 2016
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The Central Arkansas Regional Science Fair was
held at UALR in Little Rock on March 4th. The
winners were: Junior Division- Esha Ali for the
project “Effects of Urbanization on Water
Quality”; Senior Division- Katie McDaniel for the
project “Bioremediating Waste Water Using
Plants”.
The West Central Arkansas Regional Science Fair
was held February 24th, 2016, AR Math and
Science School in Hot Springs. The winner of the
Senior Division was Mandolin Harris for the
project “Testing Water Quality of the Ozark Karst
Outflows”.
Once Again…Chapter members
helped with SCIENCE FAIRS!
The 62nd Annual Southwestern Arkansas Science
and Engineering Fair was held April 1st and 2nd
in Conway on the University of Central Arkansas
Campus. High School students (grades 9 -12 )
who were winners from regional fairs were
invited to exhibit projects on their research in
the State Science Fair, which is affiliated with the
Society for Science & the Public, Washington,
D.C. Recognition for excellence is made in
eighteen categories. Teams of professional
scientists serve as judges and choose category
winners, recipients of special awards, and
overall state winners. Recipients of awards for
“Best of State” are chosen from the top two
winners at each of the seven regional fairs as
well as the state fair. Chapter judges for The
Arkansas State Science Fair were Katy Harmon
and Steve Filipek. The winner of the fair was
Caleb Hickman from Ridgway Christian High
School for the project “Too Cool, Too Clear”
(pictured top left). An honorable mention went
to Ms. Darian Dyer (pictured top right) from
Alma High School for the project “Dissolved
Oxygen’s Relationship with Heat”.
Chapter members always devote a lot of time to
judging science fair projects at State and
Regional fairs in the spring. Here are some of the
results:
The North-West Arkansas Regional Science Fair
was held at The U of A in Fayetteville on March 4th.
The winner of the Junior Division was Brooklynn
Breedlove of Bergman Middle School for the project
“Water Quality in Crooked Creek”.
The South-West Regional Science Fair was held
March 18th at Southern Arkansas University in
Magnolia. The winners were: Junior Division-
Carson McGee of Taylor Jr. High School for the
project “Cast Away”; Senior Division- Kinsley
Gunnels of Emerson High School for the project
“Boiling Points of Solutions”.
Students from the West Central Regional Science Fair and Junior Academy of
Sciences; from left to right, Judge Katy Harmon, Jenifer McClain, Alanah Claybaugh,
Anna Griffiths, Monish Shukla, Mandolin Harris, and her teacher.
The Lateral Line Spring 2016
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abov
Chapter President Jeff Quinn presented Bill Shinn (above,
left) and Dr. Steve Lochmann (below, left) with their
individual achievement awards
And Finally…Highlights from the 2016 Arkansas Chapter Meeting at Fairfield Bay
The EXCOM would like to congratulate the following
Chapter Members on their awards:
Individual Achievement Bill Shinn: For his service as the Chapter’s Education Liaison for more than 20 years. Dr. Steve Lochmann: 2016 Joe Hogan Award for Outstanding Conservation Achievement Trout Unlimited Chapter 514: 2016 Robert M. Jenkins Award 2014-15 Outstanding Sub-unit Member Awards: Arkansas State University: Jessica Buford Arkansas Tech University: Garrett Lawson University of Arkansas: Allyson Yarra University of Arkansas at Little Rock: William Ketcheside University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: Kyler Hecke University of Central Arkansas: Heather Saco Best Presentations Poster: Christopher Robinson, UCA Graduate Oral: Mary Kilmer, ASU Professional Oral: Kris Nault, AGFC
Chapter President Jeff Quinn,
Christy Graham, and Tim Burnley,
present Trout Unlimited Chapter
514 representatives John Sturgis
and Michael Wingo, with the 2016
Joe Hogan Award for their
conservation efforts on Beaver
Tailwater. (Left to Right- Quinn,
Graham, Sturgis, Wingo, Burnley).
To view Business Meeting minutes from the
February 2016 Chapter Meeting, please visit the
Chapter website: http://sdafs.org/arkafs/AFS/.