American Fisheries Society

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American Fisheries Society (AFS)

The American Fisheries Society is the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources. It was established in 1870 in New York City and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization guided by an executive director, a governing board, and officers, all working under a constitution and rules.

Mission
AFS aims to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals.

What AFS does
- Publishes five peer-reviewed journals, books, and the magazine Fisheries.
- Organizes seminars and workshops to promote scientific research and effective fisheries management.
- Supports fisheries education through 58 university-based student subunits.
- Has 48 chapters across four geographic regions in North America (North Central, Northeastern, Southern, and Western) plus two bi-national chapters (Atlantic International and Washington–British Columbia) and a Mexico chapter.

Publications
AFS publishes five peer-reviewed journals:
- Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
- North American Journal of Fisheries Management
- North American Journal of Aquaculture
- Journal of Aquatic Animal Health
- Marine and Coastal Fisheries

Books
By the end of 2023, AFS had published 185 books. Notable titles include:
- Managing the Impacts of Human Activities on Fish Habitat: The Governance, Practices, and Science (2015)
- Age and Growth of Fishes: Principles and Techniques (2017)
- Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 7th edition (2013)

AFS also offers many other books and resources through its publishing program.