One of the biggest mistakes that people make when they become involved in conservation is that they think it will be a relatively quick, direct, and definitive process
By Aaron Adams, Ph.D.
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost of the time, people eventually realize that it’s more likely to be a long slog, with many unexpected twists and turns. This can be frustrating and has caused many to lose energy and step out of the fray. In this context, it’s important to look at the bigger picture and to take stock of progress that has been made.
International Bonefish and Tarpon Symposium is where science gets translated into fisherman’s terms
BTT hosts the International Bonefish and Tarpon Symposium every three years in part to provide an update on progress. It provides an opportunity to get up to speed on all that has been learned, progress in conservation efforts, and to lay out objectives for moving forward. It’s the perfect place to re-energize for the next leg in our efforts to ensure healthy fisheries for the future – in some locations it will be holding the line, in others addressing threats, and in some it will be about restoration and recovery. All are important, and all require your support and participation. I would encourage you to attend events, donate auction items, participate in the film and art festival, or volunteer to help with any of our currently ongoing projects.
About Dr. Aaron Adams, Director of Operations at BTT
Aaron is the Director of Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and a Research Associate Professor at Florida Institute of Technology. He received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College in Maryland, a Master’s from the College of William and Mary, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Boston, and also holds a Coast Guard Captain’s License. He has lived, worked, and fished on both coasts of the US, as well as throughout the Caribbean, where he has been conducting fish research for more than 25 years. His pursuit of effective fisheries and habitat conservation are rooted in his years growing up near Chesapeake Bay, where he witnessed the decline of the Bay’s habitats and fisheries. His scientific focus has been on conducting applied research with conservation implications (from coral reef to recreational species), with particular interest in fish habitat ecology.
As Director of Operations for Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, he executes BTT’s collaborative efforts as a science-based conservation organization to apply research findings to conservation needs for coastal fisheries. In addition to more than thirty research publications, he spends considerable effort translating science into fishermen’s terms, and has authored three books, many magazine articles, and has been part of TV shows applying fish science to recreational fishing and fish conservation.
