Randy
Senior Member
For more information, contact:
Mark Redden, Executive Director, Shoal Bass Alliance, 229.881.4359
Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper & Executive Director, 912.223.6761
Elizabeth Starkey, Marketing and Communications Manager, Wildlife Resources Division, 706.557.3324
Shoal Bass Saturday: Conserving Our Shoal Bass Fishery for Our Children
Perry- Georgia is famous for its longstanding world record largemouth bass. However, Georgia is also home to all the world’s other black bass species except one. Northern and Florida strains of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redeye (or Coosa) bass, Suwannee bass, and a bass from the Savannah River drainage that may yet be named ‘Bartram’ bass: all are found in the waters of Georgia. However, Georgia’s most unique bass is arguably the Shoal Bass. A joy on any tackle, the Shoal Bass is probably the world’s finest bass to target with a fly rod because of its presence in free flowing, shoal-filled rivers, its willingness to strike, its propensity for large leaps, and its hard-fighting, dogged resistance until finally landed. Native populations of Shoal Bass exist only in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system in the States of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Shoal Bass are already listed as a “threatened species” in Alabama! The populations of Florida and Georgia have declined, and have ceased to exist in large segments of the ACF that have been impounded. The fish that we all love to catch is facing intense pressure from loss of habitat, loss of water flow and quality, predation by invasive species such as the flathead catfish, and competition and crossbreeding with the invasive spotted bass. It is time to conserve our fish, before it is too late. The great economic and ecological potential of Georgia’s Shoal Bass fishery is challenged by credible threats. Conservation efforts are required to manage, sustain and increase this natural heritage for all of Georgia.
HEAR FROM SCIENTISTS & DISCUSS THE ISSUES WITH RESOURCE MANAGERS. Saturday, June 16th 2012 5-8pm Go Fish Education Center 1255 Perry Parkway Perry, Georgia 31069
AGENDA
Introduction and Welcoming Remarks: Gordon Rogers, Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Flint Riverkeeper, Inc.
Welcoming Remarks: John Biagi, Chief, Fisheries Management Section, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia DNR
Georgia’s Black Basses: Randy Vining, Fishing Guide, and affiliated with Georgia Kayak Fishermen and Shoal Bass Alliance
Upper Flint, headwaters to Blackshear: Dr. Steve Sammons, Auburn University, Scientific Vice President of the Shoal Bass Alliance
Population Trends in Upper Flint Jimmy Evans, Fisheries Section, WRD, Georgia DNR
Based on Standardized Sampling, 1984-2011:
Warwick to Chehaw: Andrew Taylor, University of Georgia, Shoal Bass Alliance member
Lower Flint (below Chehaw): Travis Ingram, Fisheries Section, WRD, Georgia DNR
Shoal bass genetics, invasive species: Dr. Mike Tringali, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
Q&A from the audience: Presenters, moderated by Rogers
What are we fishermen willing to do? Mark Redden, Shoal Bass Alliance Executive Director, and Flint Riverkeeper Board of Directors member
This is a free public event. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Go Fish Education Center during normal business hours and for regular tour ticket prices, before the Shoal Bass meeting.
This event is sponsored by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section; Flint Riverkeeper; Southeast Watershed Forum; and the Wild Rivers Campaign The mission of the Flint Riverkeeper® (FRk) is to restore and preserve the habitat, water quality, and flow of the Flint River for the benefit of current and future generations and dependent wildlife.
The mission of the Wildlife Resources Division is to conserve, enhance and promote Georgia’s wildlife resources, including game and nongame animals, fish and protected plants. Georgia ranks among the top states in wildlife diversity and offers an abundance of activities for the wildlife enthusiast.
Mark Redden, Executive Director, Shoal Bass Alliance, 229.881.4359
Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper & Executive Director, 912.223.6761
Elizabeth Starkey, Marketing and Communications Manager, Wildlife Resources Division, 706.557.3324
Shoal Bass Saturday: Conserving Our Shoal Bass Fishery for Our Children
Perry- Georgia is famous for its longstanding world record largemouth bass. However, Georgia is also home to all the world’s other black bass species except one. Northern and Florida strains of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, redeye (or Coosa) bass, Suwannee bass, and a bass from the Savannah River drainage that may yet be named ‘Bartram’ bass: all are found in the waters of Georgia. However, Georgia’s most unique bass is arguably the Shoal Bass. A joy on any tackle, the Shoal Bass is probably the world’s finest bass to target with a fly rod because of its presence in free flowing, shoal-filled rivers, its willingness to strike, its propensity for large leaps, and its hard-fighting, dogged resistance until finally landed. Native populations of Shoal Bass exist only in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River system in the States of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Shoal Bass are already listed as a “threatened species” in Alabama! The populations of Florida and Georgia have declined, and have ceased to exist in large segments of the ACF that have been impounded. The fish that we all love to catch is facing intense pressure from loss of habitat, loss of water flow and quality, predation by invasive species such as the flathead catfish, and competition and crossbreeding with the invasive spotted bass. It is time to conserve our fish, before it is too late. The great economic and ecological potential of Georgia’s Shoal Bass fishery is challenged by credible threats. Conservation efforts are required to manage, sustain and increase this natural heritage for all of Georgia.
HEAR FROM SCIENTISTS & DISCUSS THE ISSUES WITH RESOURCE MANAGERS. Saturday, June 16th 2012 5-8pm Go Fish Education Center 1255 Perry Parkway Perry, Georgia 31069
AGENDA
Introduction and Welcoming Remarks: Gordon Rogers, Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Flint Riverkeeper, Inc.
Welcoming Remarks: John Biagi, Chief, Fisheries Management Section, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia DNR
Georgia’s Black Basses: Randy Vining, Fishing Guide, and affiliated with Georgia Kayak Fishermen and Shoal Bass Alliance
Upper Flint, headwaters to Blackshear: Dr. Steve Sammons, Auburn University, Scientific Vice President of the Shoal Bass Alliance
Population Trends in Upper Flint Jimmy Evans, Fisheries Section, WRD, Georgia DNR
Based on Standardized Sampling, 1984-2011:
Warwick to Chehaw: Andrew Taylor, University of Georgia, Shoal Bass Alliance member
Lower Flint (below Chehaw): Travis Ingram, Fisheries Section, WRD, Georgia DNR
Shoal bass genetics, invasive species: Dr. Mike Tringali, Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
Q&A from the audience: Presenters, moderated by Rogers
What are we fishermen willing to do? Mark Redden, Shoal Bass Alliance Executive Director, and Flint Riverkeeper Board of Directors member
This is a free public event. Attendees are encouraged to visit the Go Fish Education Center during normal business hours and for regular tour ticket prices, before the Shoal Bass meeting.
This event is sponsored by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section; Flint Riverkeeper; Southeast Watershed Forum; and the Wild Rivers Campaign The mission of the Flint Riverkeeper® (FRk) is to restore and preserve the habitat, water quality, and flow of the Flint River for the benefit of current and future generations and dependent wildlife.
The mission of the Wildlife Resources Division is to conserve, enhance and promote Georgia’s wildlife resources, including game and nongame animals, fish and protected plants. Georgia ranks among the top states in wildlife diversity and offers an abundance of activities for the wildlife enthusiast.
