ASFB 50th: “The informal camaraderie and long-lasting connections.”
More than 30 years later, one ASFB member still laughs about the time our President broke a wine glass while trying to formally open the conference.
ASFB member Genevieve Phillips conducted fieldwork on the Great Barrier Reef in 2015.
This year, the Australian Society for Fish Biology celebrates 50 years of supporting fish and fisheries research in the Australasian region. We invite ASFB members, past and present, to help fill the gaps in our history by sharing their memories.
There are three ways you can contribute:
Tell us your favourite ASFB memory
Send us your favourite photo from an ASFB event, or a photo of yourself in action undertaking some fishy work (send your photos, with a descriptive caption, to asfb50th@gmail.com)
Answer 10 quick questions about yourself
Here are some of the submissions we have received so far:
ASFB in pictures
“Presenting at the ASFB Conference in Canberra in 2019 on digital transformation in Australia’s fisheries as part of the speed talk panel.” Submitted by Genevieve Phillips
“The Fisheries Queensland contingent at the 2019 conference in Canberra, enjoying the social aspects of the conference.” Submitted by Genevieve Phillips
“Conducting fieldwork on the Great Barrier Reef in 2015 as part of my PhD on coral reef fish visual ecology. I am releasing a slingjaw wrasse back onto the reef after training it in behavioural experiments that tested their visual capabilities by hiding patterned prey fish against a variety of backgrounds – “Where’s Wally” for fish!” Submitted by Genevieve Phillips
10 questions
John Koehn
Are you a robot fish? No
First ASFB conference: Narrandera, 1983. Shared a room with Martin Gomon above some old pub. I remember the RSL club and, while standing at the bar under a photo of the Queen, being accosted by an old digger who rather vigorously asked why I was wearing the Southern Cross on my windcheater. Luckily, he was also in favour of Australia being a republic, so I made a new friend.
Favourite fish: Murray cod. They captured my imagination as a kid, then I got to study them.
Main fish biology interests: Habitats, ecology and the restoration of native freshwater fishes.
Memorable ASFB conference experience: Canberra, 1987.
I had just met, and I was standing next to, Richard Tilzey, as he tried to catch the attention of the crowd to open the conference icebreaker. After several attempts to verbally get attention, he grabbed a spoon to tap his glass full of red wine.
Tap, tap, tap. No response.
Louder: tap, tap, tap. No response.
Even louder: TAP, TAP, SMASH. “Oh f*** it! Well, ladies and gentlemen, now that I have your full attention…”
I am still laughing at that scene, which also says something about the friendliness and unpretentious nature of ASFB.
Memorable field experience: Cold mornings on the misty Murray River. Gently easing the first Murray cod to the surface on a set line, watching it watch me. In the cold dark, bogged to the arse trying to retrieve boats on some riverbank somewhere, while dreaming of a warm fire.
Which fish would you most like to be? Probably the Murray cod, as I think that the grace and speed of the Australian grayling is beyond me.
Which fish would you least like to be? A groper — how inappropriate, and imagine the repercussions! Or a gudgeon — too many unnamed relatives!
Do you have any fishy aspirations? Hmmm, the company of chips?
Favourite reads: Autobiographies, especially of rock musicians.
Are there any other special ASFB memories you would like to share?
The warmth by which many members welcome the young 'newbie' members. The informal camaraderie and long-lasting connections. The opportunities it presents, both to be helped and also help.