TSU Fisheries Society may be facing the end

BY MADALYNN DAVIS

Contributing Writer

The Tarleton State University Subunit of the American Fisheries Society (TFS) needs to decide if it is time to let the organization go.

With only five active members in 2023, four active members in 2024 and four active members in 2025, according to Texan Sync, the TFS is struggling to maintain its member numbers in order to be classified as a student organization.

​There are no bylaws in the TFS Constitution that state the organization must have a certain number of members to stay on campus.

​According to the Recognized Student Organization Handbook, the required number of active members to be recognized as a student organization at Tarleton is three.

​According to the TFS constitution, the goals of the organization are to:

-Provide opportunities for improved communication among individual members locally           and with other subunits.

-Augment the educational opportunities for students in fisheries science at Tarleton State University.

-Prepare members for careers in fisheries science, conservation, and management.

-Encourage professionalism and high standards of scholarship.

-Foster campus and community awareness of fisheries issues.

Also, according to the TFS constitution, the objectives of the organization are to:

-Hold chapter meetings and activities on a regular basis that expand members' knowledge of fisheries science and natural resources management.

-Encourage involvement in activities and conferences sponsored by the Subunit, other Subunits, the parent society and professional organizations, as feasible.

-Provide opportunities for the Subunit members to gain field experience, research involvement, professional development and to develop an understanding of employers' objectives and needs.                                                         -

-Conduct educational programs on fisheries and fisheries education for the campus and surrounding community.

-Ensure the continuation of the Subunit through the ongoing recruitment of new members.

-Encourage the exchange of regional fisheries data between students and Subunit members.

Is it possible to complete the organization's goals and objectives with four members?

​Luke Scribner, the TFS President, said yes.

“We may not make as big of an impact as other subunits at other schools, but we meet our goals and objectives, making an impact here with the members we have,” Scribner said.

​The TFS is a subunit of the American Fisheries Society. For any organization to be successful, it must contribute to its national organization.

​“We attend the annual Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society meeting and conference every year,” Scribner said. “While meeting their goals and objectives, we also meet those outlined in the American Fisheries Society constitution.”

​Scribner is confident that the TFS meets the goals and objectives outlined in the organization’s national constitution, and its own, with four active members.

Though the continuation of the TFS may no longer be practical with only four active members, Scribner still believes in his chapter and its members.

“I don't think the organization needs to be brought to a close,” Scribner said. “I think the TFS should continue because there are people out there who care about fisheries just like we do. Just because there may not be a lot of them doesn't mean the society needs to come to a close. It takes special people to care about the future of fisheries, and those special people are what make our chapter great.”