Draft : for approval at 2003 Business Meeting
THE 55TH
CANADIAN CONFERENCE FOR
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(CCFFR)
Empire Landmark Hotel
Vancouver, British Columbia
January 4, 2002
1.
Introductions
President Eric Taylor called the meeting to order at 1713 hrs Friday January 4, 2002, using a referee’s whistle in appreciation for Pierre Magnan’s « natural » whistle at last year’s meeting, and noting that this device was particularly appropriate since Canada had won silver, not gold, in today’s junior hockey game. He suggested that future CCFFR Chairs use locally significant noisemakers, for example a cowbell for Chairs from Guelph.
2.
Acknowledgements.
Eric Taylor thanked the long
list of those who had contributed to the success of this year's meeting:
·
The Nomination Committee for nominating him as President, a duty he had
enjoyed.
·
Scott Hinch as a Committee of 1, for the outstanding local arrangements
– a round of applause ensued.
·
Jim Reist for the excellent program which had been developed through
wide consultation, and Theresa Carmichael who had helped put the program
together.
·
The guest speakers, John Fraser, Ken Beal, Jack Vallentyne and Pierre
Pepin who between them had provided a very diverse and thought-provoking
opening session.
·
All the presenters, questioners and session chairs who had kept the
sessions on time.
·
Those who had contributed financially to the meeting, who were listed in
the Program (see list at end of minutes).
·
Rob Mackereth who had taken on the Selection Committee Chairship for the
Clemens Rigler Travel Fund this year and for years to come.
·
The Canadian Aquatic Resources Section of American Fisheries Society for
managing the Clemens Rigler Fund, particularly President Martin Castonguay and
Treasurer Dave Conley.
·
The Society of Canadian Limnologists for continuing to meet jointly with
CCFFR; particular appreciation for the joint session on climate change.
·
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans for supporting the CCFFR
Secretariat, and particularly Mary Allan, John Moores and Howard Powles.
·
Chris Taggart for maintaining the CCFFR web site.
·
The UBC students for their excellent work at the registration desk, on
the audiovisuals and for overall organisational support.
·
UBC Media Relations who had helped to develop a press release on the
meeting and get information on the meeting out to the press. It was noted by
Peter Leavitt of SCL that several articles had appeared in media as a result of
these efforts and that this corresponded to advice from this morning’s guest
speakers to communicate science results to the public and decision-makers.
3.
Minutes of last meeting
Minutes of the 2001 meeting
were approved as modified (J. Lark/A. Curry).
4.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer’s Report for the
year ending March 31, 2001 was tabled (attached), showing that CCFFR’s cash
position had improved substantially with a balance at end of year of some
$17,000.
Scott Hinch noted that local
organisers should have access to funding in advance of the meeting (for example
for deposits on meeting rooms) and it was agreed that a bank balance would be
maintained to allow for this. Jim Reist noted that we were obtaining free web
site maintenance from Chris Taggart and could consider underwriting this, and
noted that obtaining translation services might be appropriate in future.
Chris Taggart has indicated
that he would like to hand the web site maintenance on in the coming year. Leon
Carl indicated that he would be prepared to consider this, depending on the
work involved, and this was greeted with broad approval. Michael Fox indicated
that Trent might be able to host the web site through an arrangement with a
specialist there although there would probably be some expense. It was agreed
that the Secretary Treasurer could use up to $500 to support maintenance of the
web site (moved J. Lark, seconded J. Brown).
There was general agreement
that the accumulated funds should be drawn down (keeping a reserve of around
$10K) to support the Clemens Rigler Travel Fund, and that this should be done
for St. John’s (2004) since travel costs were likely to be high.
The Treasurer’s Report was
adopted unanimously.
5.
Clemens Rigler Travel Fund
The report on operations of
the Clemens Rigler Travel Fund for the 2001 meeting was tabled (attached),
indicating that 32 awards totalling $10,600 had been made. Three students had
not claimed awards and as a result a balance of $5700 remained on March 31,
2001.
Rob Mackereth, the new Chair
of the CRTF Selection Committee, noted that 42 students had applied to the Fund
for the current meeting, 3 had declined, so that 39 awards were made for a
total of $18,050. The maximum award was $600.
It was noted that that maximum
award would be inadequate for St. John’s and again the meeting agreed to use
the accumulated CCFFR surplus to contribute to the CRTF in 2004.
The report was adopted
unanimously.
6.
Officers and Arrangements – 2003
President : David
Noakes, University of Guelph
Program Chair : John
Gunn, Laurentian University
Local Arrangements : John Lark, Fisheries and Oceans,
Ottawa
Nominations : Warren
Dunlop, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
(reports in 2002)
Christine Brereton reported
for John Gunn on ideas for next year’s program. The meeting agreed on three
themes from the list presented – Invasive species; studies of aquatic biodiversity
at the landscape level; cumulative effects/multiple stressors. These would
allow for good integration of CCFFR and SCL. John Gunn is open to considering
further suggestions for next year’s program.
John Lark led the discussion
on arrangements for next year. Jim Reist noted that many more oral
presentations had been submitted than could be accommodated in the time
available for oral sessions this year. Options for including more oral papers
were considered. There was no support for reducing paper duration from 20 to 15
minutes and it was decided to extend the meeting an additional half-day.
Accordingly the 2003 meeting will begin Thursday January 2, 2003 (registration
mixer) and sessions will go January 3, 4 and to noon on Sunday January 5.
Concern was expressed at the
potentially high room rates at the Westin (Ottawa) as participants might stay
elsewhere and jeopardise the room nights needed to get free meeting rooms.
Catered lunches as an option for getting more business to the hotel were discussed,
as was moving to another venue (eg the National Museum) which did not seem
feasible. The meeting agreed that John Lark should continue with the
arrangements.
7.
Officers and arrangements – 2004.
A message from Nominations
Chair Warren Dunlop was presented by Eric Taylor. Officers nominated are :
President : Moira
Ferguson, University of Guelph
Program Chair : Dave
Scruton, Fisheries and Oceans, St. John’s
Local Arrangements : Joe Brown/Bob Gregory/George
Rose, Memorial University
Nominations : Bill
Tonn
(reports in 2003)
These candidates were elected
by acclamation.
There was considerable discussion on dates for the
2004 meeting and as a result of a vote the meeting will be on the weekend of
January 8-10 rather than the preceding weekend. Exact duration and dates will
be determined at next year’s meeting.
8. Venue – 2005
Scott Hinch indicated that Dan Heath, University of
Windsor, might be interested in hosting the 2005 meeting. The meeting approved
of this.
University of Calgary was named as a strong contender
for the 2006 meeting.
9. Canadian Journal of
Fisheries and Aquatic Science
As a result of a decision at last year’s meeting the
editors of CFJAS were invited to make a presentation to the meeting. Moira
Ferguson indicated that the Journal was doing well and had celebrated its 101st
birthday. The number of papers per year has stabilised. Approximately 400 pages
per year are available for special issues, symposium publication etc, and Moira
invited participants to make use of this for groups of related papers. Pierre
Pepin noted that most other journals were increasing their number of pages;
Moira indicated that CFJAS would take more if quality papers were submitted.
Moira acknowledged the work of the CJFAS office staff
especially Holly Foster, students who assist, the associate editors, and the
writers of articles, in maintaining the quality of the CFJAS.
10. Other business
Peter Leavitt thanked Scott Hinch for the manner in
which the CCFFR and SCL programs were integrated this year.
Scott Hinch noted the importance of running the
process earlier than in the past year and moved that the call for papers be
sent out in July and the deadline for abstract submission be September 15,
2002. This was adopted unanimously. It was noted that the meeting should be
advertised in CJFAS and elsewhere early in the year so potential participants
were aware of the meeting well ahead of time.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1835 hrs.