THE RON SCHMIED SCHOLARSHIP

About Ron Schmied (1949-1996)

GCFI and IGFA Announce Partnership for Ron Schmied Scholarship - Sept-2010

This scholarship seeks to remember a colleague and friend who thought marine recreational fisheries needed much more management attention than they have received previously. He worked for the National Marine Fisheries Service from 1978 until his passing in 1996. In the early days, he was charged with developing a regional program to encourage the growth and stability of saltwater recreational fisheries in the southeast U.S. Not only was this a first of its kind but it was accomplished at a time when there was resistance to the very concept of recreational fisheries. Beginning in 1982, he assumed the position of Special Assistant to the Regional Director for Recreational Fisheries in the Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Here he helped establish agency policy and program guidance on recreational fisheries, acted as the agency spokesman on recreational fisheries issues, stimulated recreational fisheries research agendas, and opened lines of communication with recreational fishery organization and industry leaders. In short, he was “Mr. Recreational Fisheries” for NMFS for over 18 years. Many of the programs and ideas he implemented in the Southeast have been replicated elsewhere in the agency. Ron had a holistic view of recreational fisheries that transcended the boundaries of a single discipline. He understood the need for fisheries management to be responsive to stakeholders and was committed to making it so. Those of us who had the good fortune to work with Ron over the years are all better for the experience. He was an enthusiastic person and it was contagious. He understood what it meant to be a team player, and was interested in producing workable solutions. He had a great sense of humor and always made people feel good about themselves. Most of all, he was a professional in every sense of the word. Ron was an avid supporter of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. He attended many annual meetings, organized sessions on marine recreational fisheries and tourism, and always presented thoughtful and stimulating papers. It was his favorite meeting because it was practical in orientation and an easy place to talk “shop” and make friends.

The Ron Schmied Scholarship

An endowed scholarship fund in Ron's name will support graduate student travel to the annual meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. Since students are the life blood of any educational organization, the intent of this scholarship is to make it possible for the next generation of fishery professionals to experience the benefits that come with participation in international meetings in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean region. Because of Ron's interest in and dedication to sustainable marine recreational fisheries, students with a social, economic, biological, ecological, or management perspective on recreational fisheries will be eligible to apply for the travel scholarship. Each scholarship will cover the costs of airfare, lodging, and meals to attend the GCFI annual meeting. Selection of awardees will be based on the level of achievement, innovation, and promise demonstrated in abstracts submitted for the annual meeting as well as a vita and statement of career goals in fisheries management. This will be an endowed scholarship in that interest income only will be used to make awards. It is envisioned that more than one award will be made annually in the future.

Past Winners

The scholarship has been awarded annually since 2006. The past winners include:

Applying for the Award

AWARD APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE - 15 SEPT 2010

For information regarding the scholarship including required application materials, download the pdf file [101kb].

Sponsors

IGFAThe Ron Schmied Scholarship is a GCFI initiative supported by the International Game Fish Association as well as numerous private individuals. For a list of private constributors, please email

Help Support the Scholarship

The GCFI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Ronald L. Schmied Scholarship Fund and forwarded to the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, c/o Mel Goodwin, PhD, PO Box 21655, Charleston, SC 29413 for processing. All contributors will receive an annual report on total funds raised and information on awardees when scholarships can be awarded.