Symposium 2014: Integrated Perspectives on Fish Stock Enhancement, University of Hull, 7th - 11th July

Stocking - the intentional release of wild or hatchery-reared native fish into the wild - and introduction - the intentional or deliberate release of non-native fish species and genotypes into the wild - are dominant management tools to enhance fisheries. Both tools can have a range of benefits but also undesirable impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity and affect wider ecosystem services and non fisheries stakeholders. Hence, stocking and introductions are often controversial. There is a long history of fish stock enhancement oriented science. Yet despite the body of work that has accumulated many questions remain. There is a particular need to integrate novel ecological concepts (e.g. eco-evolutionary feedback) and cutting-edge biological themes and approaches (e.g. sensory and stress ecology, cognitive sciences, genomic approaches) with more traditional fisheries-oriented stock enhancement studies. There is also a need for meta-analytical approaches to identify the factors that determine additive effects of stocking in the wild. Finally, there is little integration of institutional, socio-economic and ecological dimensions of stock enhancement to improve the outcomes of fish stocking programmes. Integrated perspectives are sorely needed to avoid the “ugly enhancements” and develop stock enhancement strategies that benefit fisheries while minimising adverse impacts or economic inefficiency. This symposium will bring together cutting edge multi- and inter-disciplinary research on the biological basis and ecological, evolutionary and fisheries outcomes of stocking and introductions. The symposium aims to attract a wide range of biologists, ecologists and applied social scientists, planners, policy makers and managers from around the world who have a particular interest in stocking and introduction of fish and their effects on fisheries and ecosystems. The aim of the meeting is to review progress in the field and present the latest research findings, with the goal of integrating biological, socio-economic, and managerial perspectives. The symposium will provide a forum for networking among science and management and foster collaborations to further develop and advance the management of this highly controversial fisheries management activity.

THEMES

Abstracts are encouraged that address any of these and related themes in the context of stocking and introduction of fish. Integrated, multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary papers are preferred. Case studies are encouraged, preferably taking a holistic perspective on the wider social, economic and ecological dimensions of fish stock enhancement.

• Physiological, cognitive and behavioural determinants of fitness of stocked fish in the wild
• Ecological and fishery conditions for additive effects of stocking
• Eco-evolutionary dynamics and impacts of stocking programmes
• Ecological and genetic impacts of stock enhancement
• Social and economic dimensions of fish stocking
• Institutional dimensions and governance of stocking
• Planning and risk management in stocking and introduction programmes

INVITED SPEAKERS

JACK JONES MEMORIAL LECTURE:

Kai Lorenzen (University of Florida, USA)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

Miran Aprahamian (Environment Agency, UK)
Robert Arlinghaus (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany)
Sigurd Einum (Norwegian University of Science & Technology, Norway)
Jeffrey Hutchings (Dalhousie University, Canada)
Jörgen Johnsson (University of Gothenburg, Sweden)
Phil McGinnity (University College Cork, Ireland)

EIFAAC Workshop

In addition the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission (EIFAAC) will run a one-day workshop on Stock Enhancement on Monday 7 July 2014 please contact the conference organisers for more details.

Registration

Online registration is available for delegates paying by credit or debit card only. Online registration can be found here. Registration will remain open until 30 June 2014.

• Full Fee – £200.00
• Student Fee – £100.00 (Conditions apply; see website)
• Day delegate fee – £100.00

If you are not able to use the online registration form, or wish to pay by cheque or be invoiced and pay by BACS transfer then please use the offline registration form and contact the Conference Office.
Tel.: +44 (0)1482 466429 Email: fsbi2014@hull.ac.uk .

We look forward to seeing you in Hull in July 2014.