The Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) recently selected Anthony Rabern as the “Fishery Worker of the Year,” announces the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Rabern, a WRD Fisheries Biologist, works at the Lake Burton Trout hatchery. The mission of AFS is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of recent, exceptional accomplishments in fisheries science and/or management.

“Anthony Rabern has provided so much valuable work to this agency and the State, that it is hard to select just which achievements to applaud,” says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management Chuck Coomer. “Some of his recent efforts include assisting with the development and implementation of a Division education plan, maintaining and improving reservoir trout and walleye fisheries and leading northeast Georgia efforts to estimate forage abundance and biomass in five reservoirs through the use of hydroacoustics.”

Anthony Rabern has worked for WRD for 19 years and in that time, he has developed, led and assisted with many outstanding achievements. Following are several examples of his efforts:

· Lake Burton Trout Fishery: Thanks to Rabern’s research efforts and management initiative, the Lake Burton trout fishery, initiated in 2000, now provides Georgia anglers a quality reservoir trout fishery where trophy-size (5-10 pounds) brown trout may be harvested. He initially recommended this option for Lake Burton as a way to increase predation on the overabundant population of blueback herring, an option supported by anglers.

· Walleye Program: Rabern initiated an experimental walleye culture and reservoir stocking program in 2001. In 2004, over 100,000 walleye fingerlings (4-inch fish) were stocked in six reservoirs with three of the reservoirs now showing development of fishable walleye populations.

· Education Committee: Rabern serves as co-chairman of the WRD Education Committee and through his assistance, they have produced a plan, support materials and a success tracking system to help WRD staff in educating the public on natural resource issues.

· Hydroacoustics Sampling Project: Rabern has led northeast Georgia efforts in estimating forage abundance and biomass in five reservoirs through the coordination of hydroacoustics sampling with Georgia Power Company. The ability to estimate forage densities allows biologists to formulate more accurate predator stocking rates for these reservoirs.

In total, Rabern’s collective efforts in both education and reservoir fisheries management have advanced the understanding of aquatic systems and promoted their understanding by the public as well. His quality of work and commitment to protecting and promoting the natural resources of the State make him a natural choice for the “Fishery Worker of the Year.”

For more information on the AFS Fishery Worker of the Year Award, visit the AFS website at www.fisheries.org . For more information on fishing in Georgia, visit the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com .

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