Standing Committees are permanent committees established through the Society Constitution. These committees perform a variety of tasks deemed essential by the membership. Committees carry the burden of substantive work conducted for the membership as a whole.
Additional Standing Committees are established through amendments to the Constitution, usually by converting a special committee that has functioned effectively for several years and the charge of which has been deemed worthy of standing-committee status.
The AFS President appoints and charges the chairs and members of all standing committees within 30 days after the annual Society meeting unless otherwise specified. All appointees must be Active Members, and their terms of duty extend to the end of the next annual meeting if not stipulated otherwise. Below is an overview of each committee and its responsibilities.
Awards & Recognition
- Awards Committee – Nominates candidates for Society-level awards, including the Award of Excellence, Carl R. Sullivan Conservation Award, Meritorious Service Award, President’s Fishery Conservation Award, and AFS Fellows.
Governance & Certification
- Board of Appeals – Reviews appeals from fisheries professionals whose certification applications were denied. Only Certified Fisheries Professionals may serve.
- Board of Professional Certification – Certifies fisheries professionals based on Society standards. Members serve three-year terms.
- Nominating Committee – Recommends candidates for Society leadership positions.
- Ethics & Professional Conduct Committee – Educates members on professional standards and reviews ethics cases while maintaining confidentiality.
Communications & Public Engagement
- Communication Committee – Develops and oversees AFS’s communications strategy to ensure consistency across the Society, units, and publications.
- Electronic Services Advisory Board – Manages AFS website, digital communications, and electronic tools to enhance member engagement.
Financial & Development
- Development Committee – Guides and executes fundraising efforts to support AFS programs. Financial Planning & Procedures Committee – Reviews financial trends and annual audits to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Professional Growth & Membership
- Membership Committee – Works to recruit, retain, and engage Society members through surveys, outreach, and professional development programs.
- Professional Development Committee – Assesses training needs and collaborates with AFS Chapters, Sections, and Divisions to provide educational opportunities.
Science, Conservation & Resource Management
- FishCAST (Fisheries Community Advocacy & Sustainability Team) – Promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in fisheries and advises AFS leadership on DEI-related initiatives.
- Imperiled Aquatic Species Committee – Provides leadership on endangered species conservation and ecosystem protection.
- Resource Policy Committee – Identifies opportunities for AFS to engage in fisheries and aquatic resource policy discussions.
- Names of Fishes Committee – Standardizes common and scientific fish names in coordination with international ichthyology organizations.
Publications & Meetings
- Publications Overview Committee – Oversees AFS editorial policies and publication programs.
- Meetings Oversight Committee – Ensures cohesive planning and execution of Society and unit meetings.
Fisheries Support & Impact
- Hutton Committee – Manages the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, which mentors high school students in fisheries science.
- Resource Policy Committee – Provides expertise on fisheries science, management, and policy issues.
To learn more about AFS Committees, or to volunteer as an AFS Committee Member, visit the AFS Committees webpage.
Last updated March 2025. Spot an error, missing info, or broken link? Contact NED-AFS Webmaster Sarah Hudak at shudak@searisksolutions.com.
