The Texas A&M Chapter of the American Fisheries Society is a professional organization of individuals interested in maintaining high standards for the fisheries profession by insuring that the undergraduate and graduate members of our chapter are prepared for careers in fisheries ecology, fisheries management, aquaculture, genetics, and the human dimensions of fisheries.

The American Fisheries Society (AFS), founded in 1870, is the oldest and largest professional society representing fisheries scientists. AFS promotes scientific research and enlightened management of resources for optimum use and enjoyment by the public. It also encourages a comprehensive education for fisheries scientists and continuing on-the-job training. The AFS publishes some of the world's leading fisheries research journals: the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, North American Journal of Fisheries Management, The Progressive Fish-Culturist, Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, and Fisheries. It organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed. In addition to these primary functions, the Society has many other programs in areas such as professional certification, international affairs, public affairs, and public information.

The Texas A&M Chapter is the local affiliate in the Brazos Valley for the American Fisheries Society. Our chapter currently many members consisting mainly of students and faculty members of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University. However, we also encourage anyone from the Brazos Valley or surrounding regions to become involved with the TAMU AFS or the Texas Chapter (see link below). AFS is not strictly a professional organization, but also one that highly encourages any conservation of the aquatic environment.

The Texas A&M Chapter of the American Fisheries Society focuses on several things: experience, involvement, and service. We try to provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities that will make them in demand in the fields related to aquatic biology. To this end, the TAMU AFS makes available opportunities such as training and certification in a variety of fields from fish identification to small motor repair; volunteering in local, regional, and state public extension programs for aquatic sciences and conservation; introduction to and involvement with fisheries professionals and graduate programs; internship opportunities; pairing undergraduate students with graduate students with research opportunities; and much more. AFS is at this time working on becoming as involved as possible in as many outreach programs as we can, so even if you are only interested in one or two programs, it is a great time to be a member and a great place to learn about what's going on in the aquatic ecology world.

Major activities of the chapter include coordinating an annual wildlife and fisheries symposium for students majoring in natural resources related fields, and putting on an annual fish fry.The symposium consists of technical paper presentations (oral and poster), guest lecturers, and open discussions of current issues in the fields of fisheries, wildlife, and ecology, and attracts students and faculty from many institutions around the state. The fish fry gives our membership the opportunity to socialize with Texas A&M faculty, state fisheries professionals, and the local community and also serves as our annual fundraising event. The Chapter is dedicated to the further advancement of students and involvment in the AFS.

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Officers	Events
Fundraisers	National AFS
Members and Membership	Contacts
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