Diversity and Inclusion Symposium

The low diversity of gender and race or ethnicity in the fisheries profession stands in stark contrast to our efforts to maintain species biodiversity as a foundation of sustainable fisheries management programs and resilient ecosystems. The inaugural 2017 AFS symposium on Diversity and Inclusion focused on providing an opportunity for fisheries professionals to identify and discuss what might be done to improve the climate and conditions for the successful inclusion of diverse scientists in the fisheries profession. The symposium consisted of fifteen fisheries professionals across the academic, federal, state, tribal, and NGO community sharing their perspective on the current state of diversity and inclusion initiatives and next steps. We recognize that leadership across disciplines and organizations is needed to turn ideas and strategies into action. The 2018 symposium will invite speakers to set the context for an audience based, interactive and in-depth discussion that will generate actionable items for improving diversity and inclusion in our profession.