Every four years—much like the Olympics—the World Fisheries Congress brings together delegates from around the world. Organized through the World Council of Fisheries Societies, the conference is a premier opportunity to exchange ideas and perspectives about new research, emerging issues, scientific breakthroughs, and governance related to fisheries science, industry, conservation, and management. For the first time, the World Fisheries Congress was held in the United States, and in early March, Seattle hosted more than 1,600 attendees from 80 different countries. 

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USGS scientists from around the country participated in the conference, demonstrating the bureau’s role and commitment to fisheries science by building collaborations, organizing several symposia, and providing 24 presentations. Director Applegate highlighted the amazing work of the USGS to all World Fisheries Congress participants in a plenary session focused on sustainable fisheries, and then participated on a panel focused on the federal response to fisheries-related climate change impacts.

For the past two years, Climate Adaptation Science Center (CASC) Senior Administrator Doug Beard, Jeff Duda from the Western Fisheries Research Center, and Abby Lynch from CASC worked closely with the American Fisheries Society to bring the World Fisheries Congress to fruition. Other USGS members participating on the organizing committee included Dave Beauchamp, Jeff Falke, Dave Hu, and Craig Paukert.

During the Congress, Director Applegate met with NexGen Mekong fellows, all of whom were hosted by USGS science centers for two weeks before coming to the Congress. NexGen Mekong is a Department of State-funded program that aims to empower early career professionals in the Mekong Region of Southeast Asia to increase science-policy engagement, build working relationships among future leaders, and foster responsible and sustainable stewardship of the Mekong River Basin and its natural resources. During their conversation, NexGen Mekong fellows shared experiences working with USGS scientists, and Director Applegate emphasized the importance of partnerships to support relationship building.

The trip to Seattle for the Congress gave Director Applegate the opportunity to visit several USGS science centers in the Puget Sound area, including the Washington Water Science Center, the Western Fisheries Research Center, and three USGS offices co-located at the University of Washington: the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, and the Earthquake Science Center field office. 

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At the Washington Water Science Center’s main office in Tacoma, many staff welcomed Director Applegate by donning their own signature bowties and were quickly dubbed the “bowtie brigade.” Staff provided a tour of the facility and convened for an all-hands meeting that included lightning talks from WAWSC scientists that highlighted the breadth of the center’s science.

At the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center’s (WFRC) Seattle Headquarters, Director Applegate and colleagues from the WAWSC toured office and laboratory spaces, peered into experimental fish tanks, explored the inner workings of the extensive water treatment system, and enjoyed the newly painted mural depicting the mission of the WFRC. Throughout the visit, WFRC staff eagerly shared their expertise and passion for science, providing Director Applegate insights into a myriad of topics, including environmental DNA, bioenergetics, chemical threats in stormwater, visual ecology, Klamath sucker research, and much more. These engaging discussions underscored the breadth and depth of WFRC’s research efforts, highlighting our dedication to addressing environmental challenges and advancing our understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

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Director Applegate’s visit to the University of Washington (UW) included three USGS offices and a number of university partners from the College of the Environment, showcasing the broad range of collaborations and student engagement made possible through these co-location agreements at the university. The Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit was Director Applegate’s first stop at UW. Unit Leader Sarah Converse and Assistant Unit Leaders Mark Scheuerell and Alex McInturff introduced Director Applegate to some of the Coop Unit’s research projects, from gray wolves to chronic wasting disease to Kokanee salmon. The Director then met with a group of Coop Unit graduate students to talk about their research and his outlook on careers in federal science.

Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center shared climate adaptation science and practices that are being implemented in the Northwest. NW CASC Regional Administrator, Nicole DeCrappeo, and University Director, Meade Krosby, provided a broad overview of the NW CASC’s programs and partnership engagement, while NW CASC scientists, Tribal climate resilience liaisons, fellows and funded principal investigators highlighted the center’s climate adaptation success stories.

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UW also hosts a field office of the Earthquake Science Center, co-located with the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, a regional network within the USGS Advanced National Seismic System that is jointly managed by USGS and UW. The visit was a chance to hear from USGS and UW staff about the latest progress on earthquake early warning in the Pacific Northwest, seismic hazard investigations, and other research collaborations with the Department of Earth and Space Sciences. 

All of these visits and interactions underscored the power of partnerships in meeting the USGS mission and delivering science that is put to use every day across the Pacific Northwest and around the globe.