History

The Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (GA-AFS) began in 1986.  Initially, the meetings were held in conjunction with the Georgia Fisheries Workers Association (GFWA).  In 1990, the American Fisheries Society officially recognized GA-AFS with approval of GA-AFS Bylaws.  In 1991, Spud Woodward (GA-AFS President) proposed the combining of GFWA and GA-AFS. In 1992, the two groups voted to merge and continue as the GA-AFS Chapter. 

The complete history, compiled by Ronnie J. Gilbert, GA-AFS Historian, is available as a downloadable PDF document (537KB):  "A History of the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society"

Also, Ronnie Gilbert and Tom Reinert produced a "History of the GA-AFS" poster and presented it at the 50th Anniversary of the Southern Division, during the 2002 Midyear Meeting in Little Rock, AK.  View the poster here:
"A History of the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society" (POSTER) (in PDF format).

Past Presidents and Chairmen of GFWA and GA-AFS

Some Past-Presidents and Chairmen include (l to r): Lee Keefer, Bubba Mauldin, Jerry German, Mac Rawson, Scott Hendricks, Bob Reinert, Dan Holder, Ronnie Gilbert, Spud Woodward, Rob Weller, and 2002 President David Higginbotham.

Meetings History

Year

Organization(s)

Location

Comments

1986

GFWA, GA-AFS

Atlanta, GA

First meeting of newly formed GA-AFS

1987

GFWA, GA-AFS

Columbus, GA

 

1988

GFWA, GA-AFS

Augusta. GA

 

1989

GFWA, GA-AFS

Jeckyll Is., GA

 

1990

GFWA, GA-AFS, AL-FWA

Auburn, AL

Joint meeting with Alabama Fishery Workers Assoc.

1991

GFWA, GA-AFS

Athens, GA

 

1992

GFWA, GA-AFS

Macon, GA

Vote to consolidate GFWA and GA-AFS

1993

GA-AFS, TN-AFS, SD-AFS

Chattanooga, TN

 GA & TN AFS chapters hosted the Southern Division Midyear meeting

1994

GA-AFS

Columbus, GA

also met at SEAFWA in Atlanta in the Fall

1995

GA-AFS

Athens, GA

 

1996

GA-AFS

Brunswick, GA

 

1997

GA-AFS

Helen, GA

 

1998

GA-AFS, GLMS

LaGrange, GA

Joint meeting with GA Lake Management Society

1999

GA-AFS

Tifton, GA

 

2000

GA-AFS, SC-AFS, SD-AFS

Savannah, GA

GA & SC AFS chapters hosted the Southern Division Midyear meeting

2001

GA-AFS

Athens, GA

First Student/Professional mixer hosted

by UGA Student Subunit 

2002

GA-AFS

Augusta, GA

 

2003

GA-AFS

Rome, GA

First meeting in Rome

2004

GA-AFS

Athens, GA

 

2005

GA-AFS

Ft. Gaines, GA

 

2006

GA-AFS

Gainesville, GA