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North American Native Fishes Association (NANFA) It's safe to state that the current incarnation of the North American Native Fishes Association is its best ever. Not evolving in an entirely linear fashion, NANFA has been through some rough times. Today, however, it boasts a strong and active membership, a very substantive and consistently interesting journal, an annual convention, a wonderful Website, and a respected reputation along a continuum from professional ichthyologists to beginning fish keepers. My own prejudice in evaluating any organization foremost concerns the quality of its publication. The quarterly American Currents is a good-looking and well edited journal, presenting a diverse mix of articles written from a variety of perspectives. The popular conception of the North American piscine fauna probably encompasses minnows, darters, sunfishes, and little more. AC dispenses with such a narrow purview, during the past two years alone offering articles on lampreys, sturgeons, gars, mudminnows, pirate perch, killifishes, endangered species, exotic invasions, as well as practical topics such as collecting and shipping fishes. There are a few pages devoted to news items and assorted current events, and a Trading Post where members list fishes that they have or are looking to get from others. This latter resource is perhaps the greatest practical advantage to membership--the opportunity to makes contacts with experienced fish collectors all over the country. An annual convention revolves around seminars and collecting trips. Regional affiliate clubs typically support lectures, slide shows, and collecting trips. I won't say much about NANFA's Website, since you can link to it directly after reading this, except to say that the links page alone is worth the visit--a great resource! The following is supplied courtesy of American Currents editor Christopher Scharpf: Featured in the Winter 2001 issue of American Currents: What is the "Trout of the Fiery Lands"? Find out as Mexican fish expert John Lyons takes us on a tour of the Rio Ayuquila in West Central Mexico......Learn how to distinguish between mottled sculpin and the newly described Blue Ridge sculpin.....Are you a conservation-conscious fish collector? Find out what it takes......Spring's just around the corner. Time to start planning that 3600 gallon gar pond!.....It's the rarest (and smallest) catfish in North America. Find out how conservation aquarist J.R. Shute bred the pygmy madtom.....Tips on winter fish collecting.....And more, in the Winter 2001 American Currents. Check out the NANFA Home page Join NANFA |
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