New England Science Symposium 2025
SRING 2025
Fisheries Science Symposium
WOODS HOLE, MASSACHUSETTS
ASGA FISHERIES SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM
In May 2025, ASGA hosted our second Fisheries Science Symposium with the goal of further unifying the angling community, fostering productive discussion and inspiring stewardship across sectors.
ASGA Science Symposiums foster a collaborative learning environment for industry leaders, including guides, brands, small business owners, media, scientists and state representatives. The Spring 2025 event was a huge success. You can access a full library of presentation coverage on the ASGA youtube by scrolling below:
Spring 2025 Presentation Library:
Mystery of the Migrators: Tracking Highly Migratory Species
In this guest lecture, Dr. Walt Golet from the University of Maine provided an in-depth exploration of the remarkable physiology and global movements of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Dr. Golet highlighted the species’ exceptional adaptations, such as their ability to regulate body temperature and sustain high-speed, long-distance migrations, which contribute to their status as apex ocean predators. The seminar discussed extensive lab research efforts, including the collection and analysis of over 12,000 bluefin tuna samples since 2011, focusing on biological data like age, growth, and stock origin to enhance stock assessments and inform management strategies. Dr. Golet also emphasized the importance of understanding the mixing between eastern and western Atlantic stocks, a factor critical to sustainable fisheries management. As an active contributor to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Dr. Golet integrates his scientific findings into international policy discussions, aiming to ensure the long-term sustainability of bluefin tuna populations through informed, science-based management practices.
The Economics of Catch & Release Fishing
How much is a fish worth? Most anglers would immediately default to answering that question based on what the cost of that fish sells at market. The real answer, however, is much more complex! In this engaging and informative seminar, Dr Ben Meadows of the University of Alabama at Birmingham provides viewers an in-depth look into the economics of catch & release fishing. Using striped bass as a case study, Meadows engages listeners with relatable prose that helps dispel many of the myths of fisheries economics and provides a better understanding of how we should value the fish we all love.
Living With Great White Sharks
Throughout the history of time, there have been few other animals that evoke such a strong emotional response from the general public as the great white shark. From Hollywood-driven fear to sublime fascination, the great white shark has captivated the imaginations of hundreds of millions of people. Few know this species better than Dr Greg Skomal, of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Since 1987, he has served as the senior fisheries biologist at MA DMF and has become one of the world’s leading authorities on Great Whites. In this riveting presentation, Dr. Skomal highlights his research on these apex predators, which includes some amazing video and visuals that help dispel a lot of myths surrounding great whites. Dr. Skomal gives us an insider’s look into the lives of the most notorious fish in the ocean!
BETTER BUSINESS THROUGH COMMUNITY
A special thank you to the entire SIMMS Fishing team for their continued commitment to the fisheries science community. SIMMS’ love for our saltwater fishing community hasn’t wavered, from supporting guides that make their living with these fish to sponsoring research, tournaments and community events that fight to conserve them. SIMMS was the presenting sponsor all ASGA Fisheries Science Symposiums since the beginning.
If you want to learn more about the Symposium and attend future ASGA events, we encourage you to become a member. If you are business owner or brand representative interested in involvement with future events, please email: