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FISH BUSTERS’ BULLETIN
November 2006
By Bob Wattendorf, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Fisheries Biologists
For the past year, I have referred to myself and
other ‘fisheries biologists’ in this column. It has come to my
attention that many readers don’t understand the role of a state
fisheries biologist. So my goal this month is to rectify that.
“Fisheries” is a term that refers to both the
fish (either a species group or geographic area) and the people
that use them, and “biologists” are scientists who study living
things. So “fisheries biologists” are professionals who are
trained to know about how fishes’ bodies work, fish populations,
habitats, anglers and others who use the state’s waters.
It takes a special person with a wide variety of
talents to be a truly successful fisheries biologist with an
agency such as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC). A case in point is Phil Chapman. He is a
consummate fisheries biologist who, after 36 years of service to
Florida’s angling community, retired on Oct. 31 — an unfortunate
Halloween ‘trick’ for those of us in freshwater fisheries
management.
But all Floridians can relish the ‘treats’ his
commitment has generated. As a career fisheries biologist,
Chapman’s professionalism resulted in his being recognized in
2003 with the Louise Ireland Humphrey Award—the highest
recognition given by the FWC to its employees.
Chapman began his career in 1970 as an assistant
regional fisheries biologist in Lakeland. In 1971, he
coordinated evaluation of Florida’s largest pollution-caused
fish kill. His assessment of the destruction of 70 miles of the
Peace River led to the nation’s first successful prosecution of
its kind, with fines totaling $900,000.
Chapman became a regional biologist in 1973 and
led studies to pioneer techniques for artificially culturing and
rearing striped bass, sunshine bass and snook. His work on snook
filled in informational gaps in their life history that provided
valuable groundwork for spawning and rearing techniques.
Another of Chapman’s significant contributions
came from his investigation into biological impacts of bass
tournaments. Though Chapman found that tournaments do not
significantly impact the fishery as a whole, tournaments did
impact trophy bass fisheries. The finding led to statewide
harvest regulations to protect this hallmark resource.
In 1982, Chapman was instrumental in the state’s
acquisition of Tenoroc Fish Management Area, once a 6,000-acre
phosphate mine. This nationally recognized fishery provides high
quality recreational opportunities to thousands of anglers
annually. Chapman’s research into restrictive harvest
regulations and support for family fishing produced a unique
approach to fisheries management at Tenoroc. Nearly a
quarter-century later, that approach continues to be highly
successful in sustaining and promoting this quality fishery.
Beginning in 1989, Phil took over the Aquatic
Education Project and supervised the Joe Budd Aquatic Education
Center in Midway, the Boca Raton Aquatic Program and the
statewide Fisheries Outreach Program. Phil is widely known for
his efforts to inform the public about resource issues, and for
leadership in promoting catch-and-release fishing.
Subsequently, Phil became involved in the
Special Projects Section and was instrumental in creation of
numerous publications and posters and developed the most widely
used archive of freshwater fishing photographs in the division.
His shots have graced several covers of the Florida Freshwater
Fishing Regulations Summary and been prominent in the Education
Series that included magazines about Florida bass, striped bass
and catch-and-release. Publications such as the Florida Bass
brochure and poster, catch-and-release commandments and
quarterly editing of the Web-based Florida fishing sites and
forecasts, and annual top-10 lists for bass, bream, crappie,
catfish and striper fishing destinations all resulted from his
skill and commitment.
During his career, Chapman received numerous
awards for his work in conservation including: Water
Conservationist of the Year (1985) from the Florida Wildlife
Federation, the Daiwa Youth Conservation Award, the Conservation
Award from the Coastal Conservation Association, and the Warm
Water Management Award from the National Federation of Fly
Fishers. Moreover, he is the only member of the Florida Outdoor
Writers Association to make a clean sweep of their major awards
pertaining to conservation, lifetime achievement and service to
media members.
Chapman’s expertise as a fisheries biologist,
fly fisherman, part-time fishing guide, writer, photographer and
editor as well as his interpersonal skills have consistently led
to superlative outcomes that reflect great credit on both him
and our organization.
At his recent retirement party, another group
came forward to recognize these accomplishments. Capt. Pat
Kelly, executive director of the Florida Guides Association
(FGA) presented him with the first FGA Conservationist of the
Year Award — an award that henceforward will be known as the
Phil Chapman Conservationist of the Year Award. It was a fitting
tribute to a world-class example of what being a fisheries
biologist is all about.
See
MyFWC.com/fishing/updates for more Fish Buster columns.
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