2002 Letter of Invitation | ASIH - American Society of Ichthyology and Herpetology

Summary of the Meeting 2001

SUMMARY OF THE MEETING 2001

The 81st annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) was held at the Penn State Conference Center (Penn Stater), State College, Pennsylvania from 5-10 July 2001, in conjunction with the 16th annual meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society (AES). The meeting was hosted by the School of Forest Resources (Larry Nielsen, Director), College of Agricultural Sciences (Robert Steele, Dean), and the Outreach and Cooperative Extension of Pennsylvania State University. The Local Committee was chaired by Dr. Jay Stauffer.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING: 5 JULY 2001

The meeting of the ASIH Board of Governors (BOG) was called to order by President Brooks M. Burr at 1605 h at the Penn Stater Conference Center. Forty- eight governors, 21 members, and two guests from Kansas State (Jan Hudzicki and Sharon Brookshire) and were in attendance as indicated by the responses on the signature sheets provided.
No late reports were received by Secretary Donnelly. The reports to the BOG will be posted to the ASIH web page (www.asih.org) by the end of the year.
Secretary Donnelly conveyed messages of regret from Governors Janalee P. Caldwell, Daniel Cohen, Marty Crump, Susan A. Foster, James Hanken, Robert Jaeger, Carol Johnston, Julian C. Lee, John D. McEachran, F. Harvey Pough, C. Richard Robins, Richard Rosenblatt, Jay M. Savage, Wayne C. Starnes, Linda Trueb, Marvalee H. Wake, Susan Walls, Kentwood D. Wells, and Dawn Wilson. Secretary Donnelly received messages of regret from Governors Joseph Mitchell and Linda S. Ford after the BOG meeting.
Secretary Donnelly announced the passing of former members Fred Berry, Genie Bohlke, Wilfred Neill Jr., David Lindquist, Theodore Monod, Don McAlister, and W.L. Minckley. The ASIH sends our best wishes to Governor Carl Gans and to Governor Susan Foster and her family.
The minutes as published in Copeia 2000, number 4, pages 1156-1168 were unanimously accepted by the board.
President Burr announced that the Resolutions Committee for 2001 is chaired by Phil Pister and includes Jim Williams and Walt Courtney. President Burr also announced that the Stoye and Storer judges were selected and their names will be announced at the annual meeting.

Future Annual Meetings

President Burr called on Prior Past-President Cashner to describe venues for future meetings. Bob Cashner called on Ed Wiley to describe the 2002 meeting which will be held in Kansas City from 3-8 July. Hotel rooms in Kansas City will be in the range of $80+/night for a single, double, triple, or quad. The Westin Crown Center, site of the meeting, is highly accessible to a new science museum, a zoo, art museum, water park, shopping centers, and other attractions. Additionalinformation on future annual meetings will be described for the ASIH membership during the business meeting.

Executive Committee Meeting

President Burr called on Secretary Donnelly to read the minutes from the Executive Committee (EXEC) Meeting held earlier on 5 July 2001. This meeting covered items not covered in the reports distributed to the BOG. First, the Copeia editorial office will move from Arizona State University to Colorado State University and Mike Douglas will continue as the Editor. Second, Editor Douglas will work closely with production staff at Allen Press regarding the quality of black and white photos published in Copeia. Third, EXEC approved changing the instructions for authors to include using approved lists of common names for North American fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. Fourth, because we are charter members of BioOne, electronic publisher of Copeia, we will recover a portion of any lost revenues (from lost institutional subscriptions) for the first three years. Individual access to BioOne is not currently available, but this issue will be raised by our representative to the AIBS to determine how to best serve ASIH members that lack access to the BioOne package at academic institutions.
Fifth, EXEC endorsed the adoption of the AllenTrack system for electronic tracking of manuscripts. Editor Douglas gave an overview of the system and answered questions about potential cost reductions for sectional editors. Sixth, EXEC approved contributing $3000 from the General Operating Fund to support Public Policy outreach efforts of the AIBS. The EXEC also voted to move $4000 from the General Operating Fund to the Fitch Award Fund. An annual award of $1000 will be given from the Fitch Award Fund on a regular basis beginning in 2002. Seventh, EXEC reviewed our holdings of back issues of Copeia and voted unanimously to give away copies of Copeia (over and above the 150 copies of each issue we will keep on hand) at the 2002 Kansas City meeting. All unclaimed volumes will be recycled on site. Eighth, EXEC moved unanimously to increase annual support for the secretary's office from $15,000 to $23,000.
Ninth, the EXEC approved spending up to $500 to support Hank Bart's travel to finish the revision of the guidelines for the care of fishes. Tenth, the EXEC approved paying the 2001 Raney and Gaige Awards from the General Operating Fund to conserve the principal in the award funds.
Eleventh, EXEC discussed the status of current committees. If any of the governors or members are interested in serving on ASIH committees, please contact President Burr or Secretary Donnelly. Twelveth, EXEC recommends that we work with the Graduate Student Participation Committee to update and improve our electronic careers pamphlets. If any governors or members are interested in helping with these revisions, please contact us. Lastly, Secretary Donnelly announced that she will be circulating a draft of revised guidelines for care of fishes in research. We will ask for comments to be sent directly to Hank Bart and we will then circulate a final draft and call for a vote to endorse the finalized guidelines. If you are interested in assisting with this process, please contact Hank Bart.

Reports to the Board

President Burr called for a motion of blanket approval of reports provided in the BOG book after reports were exempted. Governor Mayden wanted to discuss the Editorial Policy Committee Report and Governor Stewart wanted to discuss the Secretary's report. Governor Allen moved and Governor Crother seconded the motion to accept the reports. The motion carried unanimously.
Governor Mayden asked Editor Douglas about deposition of sequence data. Editor Douglas reported that current policy suggested that sequences be deposited in GenBank, but that it was not a requirement. Discussion ensued and Editor Douglas announced that he will require that DNA sequence data be submitted to GenBank. Governor Wiley asked about whether or not the sequences would be aligned. Governor Zamudio reported that aligned sequences could be submitted to GenBank so that researchers could use the aligned sequences for future studies.
Governor Hartel then asked Editor Douglas about the AllenTrack system for electronic submission and if hard copy manuscripts would be accepted. Editor Douglas replied that in unusual circumstances hard copies would be accepted. Editor Douglas also informed the Board that hard copy reviews could also be submitted if necessary. The Editor's report was then unanimously accepted by the board.
Governor Stewart asked Secretary Donnelly about the directory information for LIFE members and Secretary Donnelly replied that she would work with Sabrina Mowry at Allen Press to make sure that LIFE members had an opportunity to update their directory information. Secretary Donnelly urged all governors and members to visit the website (www.asih.org) to update their directory information. The secretary's report was also accepted unanimously by the governors.

Old and New Business

President Burr then called for any items of old business, there being none, he moved on to items of new business.
The Governors considered the ballot presented by the Nominating Committee and no additions were made to the ballot. The governors then voted unanimously to close nominations. The governors unanimously approved the ballot for the honorary foreign member in Ichthyology. The governors then elected a new member to serve a three-year term on the Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award Committee. Of the three candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee of ASIH (NOMC), Hank Bart of Tulane University, was elected.
President Burr called on Secretary Donnelly to present the proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws. All proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws needed to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the governors prior to the annual business meeting. All changes were approved unanimously by the governors. The old version of the constitution or bylaw is presented and the new version follows. The revised constitution and bylaws will be available on the ASIH web page by the end of the year and will be published in Copeia as soon as possible. The procedures manual will also be updated. If any member has suggestions for changes to themanual, please contact Secretary Donnelly.

CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION

OLD: Article VI: Meeting of the Society
Section 2. The Time, Place and Program Committee shall solicit and receive invitations from prospective home institutions for the Annual Meetings, shall evaluate such invitations, and shall report its recommendation(s) to the Board of Governors.
NEW: Article VI: Meeting of the Society
Section 2. The Meetings Management Committee shall solicit and receive invitations from prospective home institutions for the Annual Meetings, shall evaluate such invitations, and shall report its recommendation(s) to the Board of Governors.
OLD: Article VIII: Quorum
At the Annual Meeting, one hundred members shall constitute a quorum of the Society and thirty a quorum of the Board of Governors.
NEW: Article VIII: Quorum
At the Annual Meeting, one hundred members shall constitute a quorum of the Society and thirty a quorum of the Board of Governors.
If the Board of Governors votes electronically between annual meetings, 30 votes shall constitute a quorum of the Board.

CHANGES TO THE BYLAWS

OLD: Article I: Dues
Section 3. The following is the schedule for dues and subscriptions to be paid in United States dollars or equivalent: Student Members $25.00 annually, Regular Members (United States, Mexico, and Canada) $50.00 annually, Associate Members $10.00 annually, Foreign Members $50.00 annually, Regular subscribers (institutional) (United States and Mexico) $90.00 annually, Foreign subscribers (institutional) (including Canada) $90.00 annually, Sustaining members $65.00 annually. Life Members: 25 X regular annual membership in a single payment or in four equal consecutive annual installments.
NEW: Article I: Dues
Section 3. The following is the schedule for dues and subscriptions to be paid in United States dollars or equivalent: Student Members $30.00 annually, Regular Members (domestic and foreign) $60.00 annually, Associate Members $10.00 annually, Institutional Subscribers $100.00 annually, Sustaining members $75.00 annually. Life Members: $1500.00 in a single payment or in four equal consecutive annual payments of $375.00.
OLD: Article VII: Meetings
Section 1. The Chair of the Local Committee shall be appointed by the President if possible, at least six months before the time of the meeting.
Section 2. The Chair of the Local Committee shall be responsible for all local arrangements including the arrangements for printing the program.
NEW: Article VII: Meetings
Section 1. The Chair of the Local Committee shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the chairs of the Meetings Management Committee and Meetings Planning Committee if possible, at least six months before the time of the meeting.
Section 2. The Chair of the Local Committee will work with the chairs of the Meetings Management Committee and Meetings Planning Committee to make all local arrangements including the arrangements for printing the program.
OLD: Article VIII: Committees
Section 2. Except as provided for separately in the CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS all committee appointments are made by the President and carry a tenure of appointment of one year. By arrangement between the President and the incoming Committee Chair subcommittees may be appointed and delegated to specific functions. Subcommittees are not listed separately and exist at the discretion of the President and the full Committee.
Section 5. Standing Committees are provided for separately in the CONSTITUTION and/or BYLAWS, and/or are those which must be renewed yearly to conduct society business. Standing Committees are as follows:

ANBM Annual Business Meeting
BOFG Board of Governors
EDBD Editorial Board
EDPC Editorial Policy Committee
ENFC Endowment and Finance Committee
EXEC Executive Committee
GFAC Gaige Fund Award Committee
GSPC Committee on Graduate Student Participation
LOCL Local Committee for the Annual Meeting
LRPP Long Range Planning and Policy Committee
NOMC Nominating Committee
RFAC Raney Fund Award Committee
RHGC Robert H. Gibbs, Jr., Memorial Award Committee
STAC Student Awards Committee
TPPC Time, Place and Program Committee

NEW: Article VIII: Committees
Section 2. Except as provided for separately in the CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS all committee appointments are made by the President and carry a tenure of appointment of one year. By arrangement between the President and the incoming Committee Chair, subcommittees may be appointed and delegated to specific functions. Subcommittees are not listed separately and exist at the discretion of the President and the full Committee.
Section 5. Standing Committees are provided for separately in the CONSTITUTION and/or BYLAWS, and/or are those which must be renewed yearly to conduct society business. Standing Committees are as follows:

ANBM Annual Business Meeting
BOFG Board of Governors
EDBD Editorial Board
EDPC Editorial Policy Committee
ENFC Endowment and Finance Committee
EXEC Executive Committee
GFAC Gaige Fund Award Committee
GSPC Committee on Graduate Student Participation
HSFC Henry S. Fitch Award Committee
LOCL Local Committee for the Annual Meeting
LRPP Long Range Planning and Policy Committee
MMGT Meetings Management Committee
MPLN Meetings Planning Committee
NOMC Nominating Committee
RFAC Raney Fund Award Committee
RHGC Robert H. Gibbs, Jr., Memorial Award Committee
STAC Student Awards Committee

OLD: Section 3. Committee service, including that of Committee Chairs, is upon a calendar year basis, commencing January 1 and ending December 31.
NEW: Section 3. Committee service, including that of Committee Chairs, is upon a calendar year basis, commencing January 1 and ending December 31, except for the Nominating Committee and Chair, which serve from meeting to meeting.
Article IX: Nominating Committee
OLD: Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members; three in the discipline of the President-Elect to be elected, and two in the alternate discipline. Five ASIH members in good standing shall comprise the Nominating Committee:
NEW. Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members; three in the discipline of the President-Elect to be elected, and two in the alternate discipline. Five ASIH members in good standing shall comprise the Nominating Committee and serve meeting to meeting:

Other New Business

The governors then discussed some of the issues associated with electronic voting by the BOG. The governors decided that the "reply to all" option was the best way to discuss issues prior to votes. Secretary Donnelly then announced that the next World Congress of Herpetology will be held in Sri Lanka from 2-9 December 2001. The meeting was adjourned at 1740 h.

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING: 9 JULY 2001

The meeting was called to order at 1532 h by President Burr in President's Hall I and II of the Penn Stater Conference Center.
President Burr called for a motion to approve the minutes of the annual business meeting held 19 June 2000 at the Hotel Araiza Inn Palmira, La Paz, BajaCalifornia, Mexico. These minutes were published in Copeia 2000:1156-1168 and are posted on the website (www.asih.org). Governor Hubbs moved to approve the minutes, Governor Pister seconded the motion which carried unanimously. President Burr called on Secretary Donnelly to read the minutes from the Board of Governor's meeting. Regarding the distribution of excess holdings of Copeia in Kansas City, Larry Page reiterated that we will keep 150 copies on hand at Allen Press and will give away any additional stock.
President Burr gave a ten-year overview of ASIH activities. During the last decade, we have published a procedures manual that is invaluable to all officers, committee chairs, committee members, and members. The Graduate Student Participation Committee was established as a Standing Committee. We published two special publications. The Endowment Fund has grown to over $105,000 dollars. The Henry S. Fitch Award was established. Our net assets increased under the watchful eye of Larry Page during his tenure as treasurer. Our funds are currently managed professionally by Salomon Smith Barney (SSB). The Life Membership category was resurrected. We donated over 50 sets of Copeia to Latin American Institutions. We have improved our annual meetings and improved the programs for the meetings. Membership has increased overall. The website was established and our former webmaster, Lori Bockstanz, deserves thanks for excellent management of our website. The Board of Governors can vote electronically on issues that arise between meetings. The Business Office (subscription control, business matters, and the website) has moved to Allen Press and Management. Electronic publication of Copeia will take place soon as BioOne moves forward. The pages published by Copeia, the cost of production, and overall quality have remained stable. President Burr also extended great thanks to Historian Meg Stewart for her efforts in publishing information about members of our society.
President Burr then discussed future endeavors, including a possible membership drive that would try to recruit AES, HL, SSAR, and AFS members that are not ASIH members. President Burr wants to tackle the cost-associated problems with storage of materials at Allen Press. In addition to volumes stored in Lawrence, Kansas, Prior Past-President Cashner is storing materials at the University of New Orleans (UNO). President Burr wants to have a color plate published in each issue of Copeia. President Burr would like to revisit consideration of a monograph series despite protests from Editor Douglas. In addition to the Gibbs Award and the Fitch Award, President Burr would like to establish awards for members and suggested the following possibilities: President's Conservation Award, which would be presented annually to an individual for a singular accomplishment or activity that advances fish, amphibian, or reptile conservation at the national or international level; Excellence in Public Outreach, which would be awarded annually to an ASIH member who goes the "extra mile" in sharing the value of research on fishes, amphibians, or reptiles with the general public through the popular media and other communication channels; Honorary Membership, which would be awarded to individuals who have given outstanding service to the Society; Best Paper in Copeia Award given to the best paper in each section as determined by the sectional editors and the other members of the Editorial PolicyCommittee; Best Book in Ichthyology and Best Book in Herpetology are awards which could also be given annually.
President Burr then announced he would form an ad hoc committee to look at the issue of capitalization of common names of fishes, amphibians, and reptiles and report back so that an editorial policy on common names can be implemented for Copeia.
President Burr then called for announcements. Phil Pister announced that the first two talks in the pupfish symposium (10 July 2001) would be switched. Clark Hubbs will give the first paper at 0800 h and Phil Pister would follow at 0830 h.
President Burr then called on the Resolutions Chair Phil Pister and Environmental Quality Committee member Frank McCormick to read the substantive resolutions which are reproduced below. After discussion of each resolution, all of them were approved unanimously by the assembled members.

Substantive Resolutions

RESOLUTION FOR JOHN MCEACHRAN.--WHEREAS John D. McEachran is a Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, and
WHEREAS John served for one year with John R. Gold as co-editor of the Genetics, Development and Morphology sections of our journal Copeia, and
WHEREAS John then served subsequently for three solo years in that capacity, and
WHEREAS John has relinquished his position as sectional editor effective at the close of the 2001 annual meeting,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists respectfully acknowledges his selfless commitment of time and energy to the endeavors of the society, and sincerely appreciates his professional contributions to the thought and content of our journal. Thank you, John!!

RESOLUTION TO HONOR DR. W. FRANK BLAIR.--WHEREAS the University of Texas School of Biological Sciences has requested that the heretofore unnamed building at the Brackenridge Field Laboratory be named for W. Frank Blair, a late eminent herpetologist, and
WHEREAS Dr. Blair was the principal investigator of the National Science Foundation grant that provided all of the funds to establish the laboratory,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, at its 81st annual meeting held from July 5-10, 2001 at Pennsylvania State University, hereby supports the efforts by University of Texas biologists to honor Dr. Blair in this manner.

RESOLUTION FOR THE SMITHSONIAN REGENTS.--WHEREAS, ichthyologists and herpetologists from the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, including affiliates from the National Marine Fisheries Service and United States Geological Survey, have played a long and important role in the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, and
WHEREAS National Museum of Natural History and affiliated ichthyologists and herpetologists continue this tradition by serving the Society in many and varied ways, including two current staff who have served as president, and others who have served as Secretary, Treasurer, members of the Board of Governors, on various committees, and as faithful participants in Society annual meetings, and
WHEREAS four National Museum of Natural History or affiliated ichthyologists have been honored by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists by receiving the Robert H. Gibbs Jr. Award for An Outstanding Body of Published Work in Systematic Ichthyology, and
WHEREAS National Museum of Natural History and affiliated agency ichthyologists and herpetologists have contributed as authors and editors to recent and soon to be published books such as Sharks in Question; Snakes in Question; Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for Amphibians; Interrelationships of Fishes; Encyclopedia of Fishes; Phylogeny and Classification of Neotropical Fishes; Tadpoles: The Biology of Anuran Larvae; Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference; Cladistic Biogeography; The Diversity of Fishes; Fishes of Bermuda; Herpetology; Fishes of the Gulf of Maine; and Ecology of the Marine Fishes of Cuba, and
WHEREAS National Museum of Natural History and affiliated agency ichthyologists and herpetologists participate actively in a variety of public outreach and educational activities that include, but are not limited to, maintaining sites on the World Wide Web that are used extensively by ichthyologists and herpetologists for information and communication on research, collections and educational outreach as well as an ever-increasing public seeking information on fishes, amphibians and reptiles from Museum scholars, serving as advisors to undergraduate students in the Research Training Program, and as advisors to graduate students at a host of universities, and advising on the content of exhibits at the Museum and elsewhere, and
WHEREAS the fish, amphibian and reptile collections of the National Museum of Natural History are each the largest or among the largest in the world, document national and international biodiversity, and are studied by hundreds of museum and university scientists every year, both professional and student, either through loans of material or personal visits, because these collections are critical to research on systematics and biodiversity studies worldwide, and
WHEREAS these collections are maintained by the curators and collection staff of the National Museum of Natural History and affiliated agencies in a manner that sets the standard for collections maintenance both nationally and internationally as evidenced by the ever growing numbers of collections staff from institutions worldwide who visit the National Museum of Natural History to learn how to maintain large collections of natural history specimens, and
WHEREAS the excellence and diversity of the staff of the National Museum of Natural History, including affiliated agencies, their many significant contributions to the increase and diffusion of knowledge, their critical role in basic research on fishes, amphibians and reptiles, and their support of the research of ichthyologists and herpetologists world-wide, as well as the value of the large and diverse natural history collections, are neither recognized nor appreciated by higher-levelSmithsonian administration,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, at their 81st Annual Meeting at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 5-11 July 2001, urges the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to review carefully any plans to restructure science at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, to ensure that the collections continue to be maintained at world-class standards and are made available for study to the international scientific community, and to ensure that the Museums's pivotal role in research in systematics and biodiversity, biogeography, comparative morphology, ecology, and conservation biology in ichthyology and herpetology is maintained and supported well into the future.

RESOLUTION FOR SPINY DOGFISH CONSERVATION.--WHEREAS the Northwest Atlantic population of spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is overfished, the targeted mature females are depleted, and recruitment has fallen to record low levels in recent years, and
WHEREAS the National Marine Fisheries Service has implemented a federal Atlantic spiny dogfish fishery management plan developed by the Regional Fishery Management Councils to rebuild the spawning stock over ten to twenty years, and
WHEREAS complementary measures in state waters are essential to the success of the federal dogfish management plan, and
WHEREAS the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) has yet to adopt coast-wide state dogfish conservation measures beyond several temporary emergency actions, and
WHEREAS excessive state landings led to a 67% overage of the 2000 quota, and
WHEREAS inconsistent measures stand to undermine the federal dogfish plan and risk further damage to the spiny dogfish population,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the ASMFC to adopt and maintain spiny dogfish limits and measures that are at least as stringent as those contained within the federal dogfish management plan.

RESOLUTION FOR CONSERVATION OF COASTAL SHARKS.--WHEREAS several populations of Northwest Atlantic large coastal sharks are seriously overfished and depleted, and
WHEREAS a significant commercial quota reduction and minimum sizes for large coastal sharks, deemed necessary by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) based on a 1998 population assessment, have been delayed for years pending settlement of a commercial fishing industry lawsuit, and
WHEREAS the parties to the lawsuit agreed that if an independent scientific review upheld the conclusions of the 1998 large coastal shark population assessment, the large coastal shark fishery would remain closed for the remainder of 2001, and
WHEREAS the independent review was not completed in a timely manner in accordance with the settlement agreement and the National Marine Fisheries Servicefailed to negotiate default measures for large coastal sharks in the event of such a delay, and
WHEREAS failure to complete the review according to terms has resulted in a waste of agency resources, the reopening of the 2001 large coastal shark fishery contrary to scientific advice, continued overfishing contrary to the Sustainable Fisheries Act, a postponement of the overdue update of the large coastal shark assessment and delays in needed shark management measures in state waters, and
WHEREAS, there is currently no assurance that the assessment dispute will be resolved in time for the opening of the 2002 large coastal shark fishery,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists calls upon the National Marine Fisheries Service to expedite renegotiation and implementation of an agreement to settle disputes related to the large coastal shark fishery; such an agreement must include deadlines and default measures to ensure that the 2002 large coastal shark fishery does not open until the independent scientific review is complete.

RESOLUTION FOR SKATE CONSERVATION.--WHEREAS the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has conducted peer-reviewed assessments and determined several stocks of Northwest Atlantic skates to be overfished thereby prompting a management plan under the United States Sustainable Fisheries Act, and
WHEREAS a review in the journal of the American Fisheries Society has listed both barndoor (Dipturis laevis) and thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) in this region as "vulnerable," meaning that they are at risk of becoming threatened or endangered with extinction in the near future, and
WHEREAS skate landings in the Northeast United States have reached record high levels in recent years and the level of skate bycatch has been estimated at two to three times that of landings, and
WHEREAS there are currently no limits on skate landings or skate bycatch in the United States Northwest Atlantic, and
WHEREAS the lack of data collected on skate catches and bycatch stands to hinder more precise assessments, rebuilding estimates, and effective management, and
WHEREAS the New England Fishery Management Council requested authority to manage skates and yet has since failed to give skate management the priority that is warranted by the life history and depleted status of these species, and
WHEREAS under the law, the New England Fishery Management Council's skate fishery management plan was due to be submitted to the National Marine Fisheries Service in March 2001 and remains at least a full year behind schedule,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists calls upon the New England Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service to expedite development and implementation of a fishery management plan for skates that dramatically improves skate data collection, is consistent with the bycatch and overfishing provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act and includes prohibitions on possession of both barndoor and thorny skates.

RESOLUTION FOR PROTECTION OF THE SMALLTOOTH SAWFISH.-- WHEREAS smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) are among the most endangered elasmobranchs in the world, and
WHEREAS the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has completed a comprehensive status review of smalltooth sawfish in United States waters and has determined that a distinct segment of this population is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and
WHEREAS the National Marine Fisheries Service has proposed listing the smalltooth sawfish as "endangered" under the United States Endangered Species Act and is soliciting comments regarding this proposal, and
WHEREAS there are no federal protective measures for sawfish and existing state measures are inadequate to rebuild the smalltooth sawfish population, and
WHEREAS listing under the Endangered Species Act would prompt not only prohibition on possession but important investigation into habitat requirements and bycatch of sawfish as well as much needed public awareness of the species' population status, and
WHEREAS there have been significant delays in the Endangered Species Act review and listing process since the petition to list was filed in 1999, and
WHEREAS the United States has previously acknowledged the precarious status of the species by proposing its listing under the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists strongly supports the United States National Marine Fisheries Service recent proposal to list and protect the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata) under the Endangered Species Act and urges the agency to do so expeditiously, as a matter of priority.

RESOLUTION FOR THE KLAMATH BASIN.--WHEREAS the existence of Upper Klamath Lake sucker (Deltistes luxatus, Chasmistes brevirostris) and salmonid (Oncorhynchus kisutch) populations are threatened by low water levels resulting from the current drought conditions in the Western United States, and
WHEREAS the livelihood of families on 1500 farms dependent on water from the Upper Klamath Basin Irrigation Project are threatened by closure of the
irrigation system,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, a professional society of 3000 scientists concerned with the study and conservation of fishes, amphibians and reptiles, urges the Bureau of Reclamation to maintain water levels in Upper Klamath Lake to protect endangered fish and urges the Department of Agriculture to compensate farmers for financial losses incurred due to losses of irrigation water, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Bureau of Reclamation and Department of Agriculture work to establish water levels in Upper Klamath Lake that takes into account the inevitable long-term fluctuations in water levels and that ensure sustainable fish populations and agriculture in Upper Klamath Lake and Klamath River valley.

RESOLUTION FOR PHANTOM LAKE SPRING.--WHEREAS Phantom Lake Spring contains two federally listed species (Gambusia nobilis and Cyprinodon elegans), and
WHEREAS the Bureau of Reclamation in response to falling water levels established an artificial refugium at Phantom Lake Spring, and
WHEREAS the pump installed at Phantom Lake Spring causes the water level to fluctuate over short periods of time which has resulted in catastrophic declines in numbers of Gambusia nobilis to 10% of the numbers observed in 1998,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, a professional society of 3000 scientists concerned with the study and conservation of fishes, amphibians and reptiles, urges the Bureau of Reclamation to take immediate action to modify the pumping system to stabilize water levels in the artificial refuge.

Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws

President Burr then called on Secretary Donnelly to read the changes to the constitution and bylaws previously detailed in this report. The proposed changes were unanimously accepted by the Governors were unanimously accepted by the members.

Election of Officers

President Burr then moved to the election of ASIH officers, including the President-elect, a Copeia Genetics, Development and Morphology editor, new members of the Board of Governors, the Nominating Committee Chair, and members of the Nominating Committee. The slate of nominees as provided by the Nominating Committee and the BOG will be available on the website by the end of the year. Nominations from the floor were invited, there being none, it was moved that nominations be closed. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Results of the elections were announced at the Banquet and are listed here [an asterisk (*) denotes reelection of an incumbent officer]: President-elect: Lawrence M. Page; Secretary: Maureen A. Donnelly*, Treasurer: Margaret A. Neighbors*; Editor: Michael E. Douglas*; General Ichthyology Editor: Scott A. Schaefer*; General Herpetology Editor: Craig Guyer*, Ecology and Ethology Editor: W. Linn Montgomery*; Genetics, Development, and Morphology Editor: Robert M. Wood; Physiology and Physiological Ecology Editor: Robert E. Gatten*; Index Coeditors: Subject Index, Frances Cashner*, Taxonomic Index, James W. Orr*; Book Review Editors: Herpetology, Kentwood D. Wells*, Ichthyology, William D. Anderson; Board of Governors Class of 2006 Herpetology: Lee Fitzgerald, Stanley Fox, Maureen Kearney, Jim McGuire, Laurie Vitt; Board of Governors Class of 2006 Ichthyology, Kathleen S. Cole, Marlis Douglas, William J. Matthews, Frank McCormick, Stephen T. Ross. The chair of the Nominating Committee is Laurie Vitt and the members of the nominating committee are Al Savitzky, Kassie Cole, and Deanna Stouder.

Old and New Business

President Burr indicated that he had no additional items of old business but requested additional items of old business from the members.
Under old business, Governor Clark Hubbs brought up the problem with members that failed to show up for their presentations. Governor Hubbs asked someone to look into this. President Burr charged the new Program Planning Committee to develop a policy that will be circulated through EXEC and will be included in the call for papers.
Under new business, President Burr reported that EXEC voted unanimously to expend endowment funds to support ASIH symposia beginning in 2003. Proposals will be submitted to the chair of the Program Planning Committee in March of the year prior to the planned symposium (e.g., symposium proposals for 2003 need to be submitted by March 2002). The ASIH will use monies from the Endowment Fund to support no more than two symposia in any one year (each symposium can be funded at $1500 and a total of $3000 will be expended each year).
President Burr then called on Steve Ross to report on the status of Life Memberships. Steve reported that the Life Membership Category was first established in 1933, for a total contribution of $75 (regular annual dues were $3.00). The category was terminated in 1969 with at least 215 life members at $150 (regular annual dues were $8.00). Life membership costs ranged from 18.75 to 25 times the annual dues. The life membership category was reestablished in 1993 with the cost set at 25 times the regular annual membership. At the time there were 179 life members on the ASIH membership list. Life memberships were reestablished to provide benefits to members and the society. Life members benefit by not having to pay annual dues and by not being affected by periodic increases in dues. The society benefits by having increased working capital to use as part of the endowment fund. Based on the current annual dues of $50, a life membership costs $1250. Life memberships may be paid in a single sum or in four equal payments (note: with the dues increases voted by the membership the current cost of Life Membership is $1500 or four consecutive annual payments of $375). As before, life members receive all of the benefits of annual membership from the time of payment of the first installment until their death. As of 3 July 2001, there are a total of 187 life members (143 "old" life members and 44 "new" life members). There is approximately $57,468 in life membership funds split between cash, equity, and bond funds. The Life Membership funds will be placed into the SSB TRAK account. Life membership funds generate income for the society. After five years and after paying all expenses, per-membership gain to the society would range from $150 to $558 depending on market yields. The lower figure is based on a 7.5% gain in equities, the higher value is based on a long-term market average of 12.8%. Thus after five years, our 44 new life members will generate $6,600 to $24,552 for the society.
President Burr then called on Prior Past-President Bob Cashner to present information on future meetings. Bob pointed out that in 1999 we had to call anemergency meeting of the BOG to find a meeting site for 2001. We are now set with places and dates for 2002, 2003, and 2004. We have a letter of extreme interest from Henry Mushinsky and Phil Motta for South Florida in 2005. Five different institutions are talking about 2006, and other institutions are interested in hosting meetings through the end of the decade. Paulo Petry presented information and showed a video to the members of the 2003 venue in Manaus, Brazil. Paulo explained that there is a four night hotel-airfare package from Miami for $762. The Tropical Hotel Manaus is a five star hotel with 601 rooms located on the banks of the Rio Negro. George Barlow reported that the hotel accommodations are wonderful and the food is outstanding. The target is a June meeting because of booking problems in July. During June, the water will be high and daytime temperatures vary between 85 and 90ºF. There is a shuttle that connects the hotel to downtown Manaus. The 2004 meeting will be held on the University of Oklahoma campus and the hosts will be Jan Caldwell, Laurie Vitt, Edie Marsh- Matthews, and Bill Matthews. The 2002 meeting will be in Kansas City and it marks the first time the ASIH has organized the meeting. Ed Wiley, local chair for the 2002 meeting, announced that power point projectors will not be provided during the meeting in an effort to hold costs down, but if members brought their own projectors, they could be used during the meeting.
The Annual Business Meeting adjourned at 1720 h.

ANNUAL BANQUET: 10 JULY 2001

The banquet was called to order by emcee Lynne Parenti at 2002 h. The banquet was held in President's Hall I and II at the Penn Stater. Lynne introduced her "rule enforcement" device, and she announced that the person with the greatest number of "honks" at the end of the evening would be part of Paulo Petry's experiments with the candiru in Manaus.
Lynne introduced the Local Chair, Dr. Jay Stauffer, and the Senior Conference Planner for the 2001 meeting, Janet Patterson. Lynne also acknowledged Conference Planner Katie Earley, Program Assistant Denise Kowalski, and informed us that Penn State Hospitality Services provided the food. Lynne then introduced the officers of ASIH and their significant others seated at the head table: Brooks M. Burr, President; Harry W. Greene, Past President and his wife Kelly Zamudio; Maureen A. Donnelly, Secretary; Margaret A. Neighbors, Treasurer, and Carl Luer, President of the American Elasmobranch Society.
A total of 510 registered participants were present at the 2001 meeting and 40% of the participants are student members. The registered members represented the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, and 18 foreign countries including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and New Jersey. The Past Presidents of ASIH and AES were asked to stand and be recognized. Robert Rush Miller, a former ASIH president and recipient of the Gibbs Award, was not able to attend the meeting this year, and we asked Fran Cashner to send our warm wishes to her father.
Lynne called Mo Donnelly to the podium to present certificates ofappreciation to: John McEachran for his service as Sectional Editor for Genetics, Development, and Morphology; to Larry Page for his service as Treasurer; to Al Savitzky for his service as Past President; to Robert Cashner for his service as Past President; to Harry Greene for his service as Past President.
Lynne took the podium only to hand it back to Mo so she could announce the results of the election. Mo extended thanks to Kristin Bakkegard, Michelle La Rue, Felix Martinez, Eric O'Neill, and Cristina Ugarte for help with the distribution and tallying of ballots. The election results were described previously in this report. Due to the passing of Dr. Monod, we needed to elect a new Honorary Foreign Member in Ichthyology during the 2001 meeting. Both candidates, Phillip C. Heemstra (South Africa) and Maurice Kottelat (Switzerland) had strong vitae and the vote was very close. The new Honorary Foreign Member in Ichthyology is: Phillip C. Heemstra. The society again thanks everyone for placing their name in nomination and for their willingness to serve the society.
Emcee Parenti then called on Secretary Donnelly to read the names of the Raney Award Winners for 2001 on behalf of Edie Marsh-Matthews (Chair) and committee members Keith Gido and John Friel: Benjamin Ruttenberg, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, Larval retention and population connectivity in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. $1,000.00; Mara S. Zimmerman, Biology Department, University of Michigan, 1122 Natural Sciences Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, Ecological and life history contributions to morphological differences among brook stickleback populations. $1,000.00; Jameal F. Samhouri, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 100 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02882, Consequences of early life-history attributes for the survival and population persistence of Thalassoma bifasciatum. $500.00; Clare Wormald, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island, 100 Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02882, Reef fish migration and source-sink dynamics: relevance to management of protected areas. $470.00; Matthew T. Craig, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 9500 Gilman Dr., Mail Code 0208, La Jolla, CA 92093, Phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the genus Epinephelus (Teleostei: Serranidae). $853.00; Tanya L. Darden, University of Southern Mississippi, Department of Biological Science, Southern Station Box 5018, Hattiesburg, MS 39496, Evolutionary processes within dystrophic blackwater habitats: Dispersal, speciation and historic biogeography in Enneacanthini sunfishes. $1,000.00; Jennifer S. Rehage, 101 Morgan Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, Population performance and community function of invasive vs. noninvasive Gambusia: Is there a difference? $177.00
Lynne then called on Maureen Kearney to announce the winners of the Gaige Awards for 2001. The Gaige Committee was chaired by Sharon Emerson and included Maureen and Joe Pechmann. Each of the Gaige awardees received $500 to support their research projects: Tomasz Owerkowicz, Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Function of the postpulmonary septum in monitor lizards; Michael Rubbo, Department of Biology, 208 Mueller Lab, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802. Multiple causality of frog deformities: the relationshipbetween environmental stressors and parasitic infection; Ryan O'Donnell, Department of Zoology, 3029 Cordley Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331. The effects of temperature on sex ratio in garter snakes; Lauren Chan, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Corson Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Evolutionary consequences of habitat heterogeneity: maintenance of polymorphism in three species of desert lizards; Valerie Simon, Department of Biology, Duke University, Box 90338, Durham, NC 27708. The influence of predation intensity on signal use in an Anolis lizard; Christopher Leary, University of Oklahoma, Department of Zoology, 730 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019. Alternative mating strategies, steroid hormones, and the potential for sequential hermaphroditism in the Great Plains Toad; Aaron Krochmal, Department of Life Sciences, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809. Evidence for the use of facial pits in the thermoregulatory behavior of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes; Becky Williams, Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322. The occurrence, longevity, and distribution of tetrodotoxin in tissues of the common Garter snake after ingestion of the rough- skinned newt; Shannon O'Grady, Department of Biology, 257 South 1400 East, University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112. Significance of colonic nematodes in the digestion of fiber by reptilian herbivores; Jessica Stapley, Division of Botany and Zoology, Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, AUSTRALIA. The evolution of female mate preference and male mating success in lizards.
Lynne then called on Storer and Stoye Award Chairs to present the 2001 awards for the best student paper. Lynne called on Susan Jewett to present the Tracy Storer Award for the best poster in Ichthyology. The posters were judged by Susan, Richard Broughton and Kenneth Thompson. The winner of the 2001 competition is: Ryan J. Heise, University of Southern Mississippi, "Migratory cues for Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) in the Pascagoula River Drainage, Mississippi." Tod Reeder, chair of the Storer Competition for the Best Poster in Herpetology announced that John Wiens also served on the committee and the winner of the 2001 competition is: Brian I. Knapp, Ohio University, "Evolution of female-biased sexual size dimorphism in Sceloporus undulatus." Mo Donnelly presented the Stoye award for Conservation for chair Russell Burke and committee member Barry Chernoff. The committee awarded an honorable mention to Maria R. Giambanco, Hofstra University "Comparison of fertility rates and hatchling survivorship of field and laboratory incubated nests of diamondback terrapins." The winner of the 2001 Stoye Award in Conservation is: Sabrina Drill, University of California Los Angeles, "Community based fisheries management and conservation in Lake Malawi." Mo Donnelly presented the Stoye Award in Ecology and Ethology for Chair Jackie Webb. The other members of the committee were Reid Harris, Kirk Winemiller, and David Heins. The winner of the 2001 award is: Ken Longenecker, University of Hawaii, "Life history of the Hawaiian blackhead triplefin, Enneapterygius atriceps (Blennioidei, Trypterigiidae)." Carole Baldwin and Adam Summers served as judges for the Stoye Award in Genetics, Development, and Morphology. Carole, on behalf of the committee, presented an honorable mention to: Rebecca K. Thomas, Field Museum of Natural History and University of Chicago, "Developmental timing, ossification, and morphometric variation in thezebrafish, Danio rerio." and the winner of the 2001 Stoye Award for best paper in Genetics, Development, and Morphology is: Joel L. Carlin, University of Florida, "Pelagic larval duration and phylogeographic structure in two holocentrid reef fishes." Kevin de Queiroz and Jess Maisano were judges for the Stoye Award in General Herpetology and Kevin announced that the 2001 winner is: Patrick R. Stephens, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Museum of Natural History, "Phylogeny, ecological diversification, and community structure in emydid turtles." Marlis Douglas chaired the Stoye group that judged papers in General Ichthyology. Carol Stepien, Tom Dowling, and Melanie Stiassny also served on the committee. An honorable mention was given to John S. Sparks, University of Michigan, "A phylogenetic analysis of cichlid fishes (Teleostei: Cichlidae) using morphological and nucleotide characters, with emphasis on the Malagasy and South Asian genera." The winner of the 2001 Stoye Award in General Ichthyology is: Michael S. Taylor, Louisiana State University, "Population structure in a widely distributed Neotropical goby, Elacatinus evelynae."
Lynne announced that the students raised $1380 during the book raffle in 2001, and that amount will be matched by the society.
Lynne then called on Phil Pister, chair of the resolutions committee to read the resolutions. Phil took the podium in his Alabama hat in protest of our not recognizing Alabama as a foreign country. Before Phil began his reading, he shared with us how he was asked to take on the chairpersonship by President Burr. He earned at least three honks from Lynne Parenti during the reading of the following:

RESOLUTION FOR PENN STATE I.--WHEREAS the State of Pennsylvania, through its state university, otherwise known as Penn State, is apparently using the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists to balance its state budget, as reflected in the exorbitant fees assessed to ASIH members in the course of its annual meeting, and
WHEREAS the ASIH membership is scarcely thrilled by having to pay approximately 50 dollars to attend the banquet, and
WHEREAS many ASIH members keenly remember their days as graduate students when they could subsist for the better part of a month on 50 dollars,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, meeting on July 5-10 at Pennsylvania State University for its 81st Annual Meeting, does hereby express its deep gratitude to the World Bank for providing low interest loans that made it possible for many members to attend this year's meeting and tonight's banquet.

RESOLUTION ON HOUSING.--WHEREAS the availability of comfortable housing is eagerly anticipated at the end of a journey across the United States to attend the annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, and
WHEREAS such housing was assured both verbally and in writing from Penn State Conference Services well in advance of the meeting,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists, meeting from 5-10 July 2001 at Penn State, does hereby express itsgratitude to Penn State Conference Services for allowing the compiler of these resolutions to find suitable housing in only three attempts after arriving at Pollock Commons late at night on July 5, the first two attempts being greeted by extremely ugly, sleepy, and disgruntled males who were already occupying the single, 30-inch beds.

RESOLUTION ON DORM BREAKFASTS.--WHEREAS the general lack of activity inherent in attending such meetings as those of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists often results in an unwanted weight gain of between 5 and 10 pounds during a week's time,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the residents of the Nittany Hall and Apartment complexes hereby express their deep appreciation to Penn State Conference Servicesfor withholding the continental breakfasts promised them on the mornings of July 5, 6, and 7 in the spurious advertising sent out in advance of the meeting, all of which measurably decreased the caloric intake of the chagrined and starving residents of the above residential facilities.

RESOLUTION ON POWERPOINT I.--WHEREAS the plenary speakers expend much effort in preparing their talks, and
WHEREAS the effectiveness of such talks is strongly related to the use of properly-functioning projection systems, and
WHEREAS during the plenary session held on July 6 in President's Hall I the PowerPoint presentations failed miserably,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the firm of PowerPoint Plenary Presentations henceforth be restricted to activities within the realm of its demonstrated competence, such as planning and conducting fire drills within the State of Alabama and other far-eastern nations.

RESOLUTION ON POWERPOINT II.--WHEREAS MAKING your point in ANY program is better than NOT making it in Power Point, and
WHEREAS the primary special effect in several PowerPoint projections seemed to be associated with Control-Alt-Delete, and
WHEREAS annually upgrading the data in a presentation enriches science but annually upgrading one's software only enriches Bill Gates,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED NO POWERPOINT!!!!

RESOLUTION ON DON'T ASK-DON'T TELL.--WHEREAS the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists has a tradition of open submission of abstracts, and
WHEREAS George Burgess introduced the ugly specter of drug testing during Ray Troll's presentation, and
WHEREAS the ability of many senior members of the ASIH to pass drug testing during their early days is questionable,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and its affiliated societies adopt a "don't ask - don't tell" policy, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT whatever perspective-enhancing compounds may be involved in Ray Troll's reality, WE WANT SOME!!!

RESOLUTION ON THE CANDIRU.--WHEREAS the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists will be meeting in the year 2003 in Manaus, Brazil, and
WHEREAS it is a common procedure for the ASIH membership to consume large quantities of beer during the course of such meetings, and
WHEREAS the consumption of large quantities of beer brings with it a significant diuretic effect and the consequent elimination of even larger quantities of urine, and
WHEREAS it is a common procedure for ASIH members to make field and collecting trips in the course of ASIH meetings, and
WHEREAS it is not unusual for ASIH members during their field activities to sneak behind trees and/or bushes for purposes of elimination, and
WHEREAS there exists in certain Brazilian waters an endemic fish, commonly known as candiru, but more accurately known as Vandellia erythrura, of the family Trichomycteridae, and
WHEREAS this species of fish falls within a group properly known as "Vicious Fishes," and
WHEREAS our knowledge of the biology of this species is minimal, and
WHEREAS its possible benefits to humankind are likewise relatively unknown, and
WHEREAS this species exhibits an alarming tendency to ascend descending streams of urine, in a manner not unlike spawning anadromous salmonids, which fortunately restrict their migrations to the tributaries of streams in the Pacific Northwest and show no particular interest in inhabiting the urethrae of Homo sapiens,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the leadership of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, in anticipation of the Manaus meeting in 2003, admonishes its members to drink no liquids for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, or, if they should find it necessary to urinate during the meeting, to do so from an elevation of at least 500 meters above the surface of applicable waters, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any beer served to members at the Manaus meeting be supplemented with an additive containing a concentration of no less than five percen t rotenone extract.

RESOLUTION ON BEER.--WHEREAS the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists has been meeting annually for more than 80 years, and
WHEREAS during this major time period, now approaching geologic proportions, ASIH members have established their well-deserved reputation of consuming huge quantities of beer, and
WHEREAS most of this beer is consumed during the annual picnic, and
WHEREAS sufficient data are available to justify and support the availability of adequate quantities of beer for the picnic, and
WHEREAS approximately 48 hours prior to the reading of this resolution, at the annual picnic, the beer supply quickly dwindled to non-existence within a few minutes following the start of the picnic, and
WHEREAS this inexcusable circumstance resulted in both disappointment and distress among the great majority of those in attendance, and
WHEREAS the disappearance of the beer supply has been deemed to be totally inexcusable and to constitute gross negligence in its worst form,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists condemns for all eternity the organizing committee for this 81st meeting of the Society, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this tragic circumstance never be allowed to happen again!!!

RESOLUTION FOR PENN STATE II.--WHEREAS the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists met successfully at Pennsylvania State University in 1999, then again in 2001, and
WHEREAS Dr. Jay Stauffer has shown unusual compassion and competence in arranging such meetings, and
WHEREAS even Penn State is closer and more accessible (though not necessarily less expensive) that places such as Manaus, Brazil,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, meeting at Pennsylvania State University for its 81st Annual Meeting from 5-10 July 2001, does hereby state its intent to continue to meet every other year, appropriately in odd years, at Penn State, and that Dr. Jay Stauffer should be informed of his good fortune in this respect.

RESOLUTION FOR JAY STAUFFER.--WHEREAS the production of such an imposing phenomenon as the annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists is an extremely complicated and monumental task, fraught with critics and otherwise ill-tempered individuals, and
WHEREAS Dr. Jay Stauffer of Penn State has undertaken this heroic endeavor for two of the past three years, and
WHEREAS this task is GREATLY appreciated by the ASIH membership,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, meeting for its 81st Annual Meeting at Pennsylvania State University from 5-10 July 2001, does hereby express its deep appreciation to Dr. Stauffer for his efforts in producing this highly successful meeting, and in so doing, commend him more for his enthusiasm and efficiency than for his good sense! THANK YOU, JAY!!!!

Presentation of the Gibbs Award

Lynne Parenti called on President Burr, in his role as the chair of the Gibbs Award Committee, to the podium to present the 2001 Gibbs Award. Brooks announced that Bruce Collette and Bill Anderson were also members of the committee and then he gave a slide show presentation. In addition to introducingRobert Gibbs and briefly describing his influential career, Brooks described the characteristics of previous winners: the average age at the time the award was presented was 67 years, seven of 13 winners studied marine fishes, four concentrated on freshwater fishes, and two of the previous winners worked on both marine and freshwater fishes. All previous winners were associated with large collections of fishes, all had written books or book length monographs, and all had moderate to extensive field experience, and all of the previous winners are male. The previous winners have described 750 species of fishes (both fossil and recent), and 15 families have been monographed. Brooks pointed out that there is clearly much work left to do. The winner of the 2001 Gibbs award is an authority on North American and Neotropical freshwater fishes, he is an expert on darter systematics, life history, and behavioral ecology, he is one of six scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey to be named Principal Scientist. The 2001 winner of the Robert H. Gibbs Award is Lawrence M. Page. Larry emphatically pointed out during Brooks' presentation that he was not close to the average age of winners and he quickly grabbed the check as Brooks presented him with the plaque.
Lynne then called on Ed Wiley to invite all of us to attend the 2002 meeting in Kansas City and then announced that because he was the only one to be honked at, Phil Pister was the missing link. See you all next year in Kansas City.

Respectfully submitted,
Maureen A. Donnelly
ASIH Secretary
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING 2001

SUMMARY OF THE MEETING 2001

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING: 5 JULY 2001

Future Annual Meetings

Executive Committee Meeting

Reports to the Board

Old and New Business

Other New Business

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING: 9 JULY 2001

Substantive Resolutions

Changes to the Constitution and Bylaws

Election of Officers

Old and New Business

ANNUAL BANQUET: 10 JULY 2001

Presentation of the Gibbs Award

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