CONFERENCE THEME

The theme of this year’s conference is Marine and Estuarine Ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Region in a Changing Time: Interactions between Science and Governance

The meeting will bring together regional stakeholders to share experiences and present success stories from around the Gulf and Caribbean. Providing the opportunity to discuss stakeholders’ experiences related to managing marine resources and fisheries in the face of climate change will increase knowledge. By bringing together scientists, academics and practitioners to share case studies, we can collaboratively identify lessons learned and present strategies for managing multispecies fisheries options that could be scaled-up around the world.

REGISTRATION

Early registration will open in June and close on October 15, 2021 when we will shift to regular registration rates at a higher fee.  Click here to register for the conference. We have 3 registration options for our virtual conference to encourage participation. We have introduced a “Non-US” fee to facilitate participation from developing countries and small island developing states. All students, regardless of geographic location (US and Non US) will receive the same discounted registration rate.

GCFI acknowledges that some of our members may not be able to afford registration rates due to hardships experienced as a result of COVID-19. Please email [email protected] to submit a request for waiver of registration fees.

Don’t forget to become a Member of GCFI! In addition to significant savings on your conference registration, there are other perks of membership including the ability to publish your research presented at GCFI for free along with open access to our peer-reviewed journal Gulf and Caribbean Research (published by our partners at the University of Southern Mississippi). Membership dues also support GCFI Programs such as CaMPAM, the Fishers for Fishers Initiative, Education and other activities like interpretation. Learn more and Become a GCFI Member here. 

Please note that registration fees are not waived for presenters. All presenters must register by October 15, 2021 to guarantee their accepted talks / posters in the GCFI74 Program. Click here to Register for the Conference

GUIDELINES FOR UPLOADING PRESENTATIONS ONTO GCFI74 CONFERENCE PLATFORM (WHOVA)

1. Please be prepared to upload a 10 minute video which you can further supplement with handouts, slides or accompanying documents. You can use any program to record this video, but it must be saved in .mp4 or .mov format. Please see attached Guidelines on Recording Videos using Zoom.
2. You will be required to upload your video onto our virtual conference platform (Whova). Once you have registered, you will receive a set up link. Please note that if you do not register for GCFI74 by October 15, 2021, your presentation will be removed from the program. If you have registered but did not receive your email link by October 18 please contact [email protected]. Here is the link to register: https://www.gcfi.org/conference-registration/
3. Once you receive the email, open the link, fill in or update your information such as your bio and photo if needed. If there is anything not editable but you want to edit, please contact us at [email protected] and we will implement the changes
4. To upload your pre-recorded video, click Add Videoin the relevant session, and choose the video source to upload. Whova supports most video formats such as mp4, mov, etc. You may also upload handouts, share online articles, or even create a poll. Click Save once you are done.
5. You can come back to update info whenever needed. However, please note that your final video must be uploaded by Friday 29, October, 2021 23:59 EDT.

GUIDELINES FOR RECORDING A PRESENTATION USING ZOOM

(1) Start ZOOM meeting

• Log in to ZOOM
• Click on the “Meetings” button on the left hand side.
• Choose “Schedule a New Meeting”.
• Click on “Start this Meeting” on the top right.

At this point your browser might ask you to download and install Zoom. If Zoom is already installed, the browser might ask you to “open this meeting with Zoom”.

(2) Enter meeting

• Choose “Join with computer audio”.
• If you also want to record yourself with a webcam while presenting, click the “Video” button on the lower left side of the screen.

(3) Share screen

• Click on the green “Share Screen” button on the lower side of your screen.
• Choose whether you want to share the entire screen (on which you are going to run your presentation) or a specific window.

From now on, the ZOOM toolbar will be hidden until you move the cursor over the green meeting ID at the top of your screen.

(4) Open presentation

• Open your presentation in PowerPoint or any other presentation program.
• Enter the presentation mode.

(5) Record presentation

• Open the ZOOM toolbar by moving the cursor over the green meeting ID on the top of your screen.
• Click on the “…” button on the right and choose “Record on this Computer”.
• Do your presentation.
• When you are finished with the presentation, click again on the “…” button and choose “Stop recording”.
• You can now exit the meeting.
• Zoom will ask you where you want to store the recorded file. Choose a folder on your computer. If Zoom finished processing your video, it will open the folder, which contains the produced video.
• If Zoom doesn’t provide an option to choose where you save, check your downloads folder and rename the recording with the format: YourLastName_YourFirstName

GUIDELINES FOR CREATING A SINGLE SLIDE FOR DISPLAY DURING THE PANEL DISCUSSION

You are requested to provide a single, static slide with an appropriate / eye catching visual that sets the scene for your presentation and contains the following information:

• Title of Presentation
• Your name and Affiliation
• Your Email Address

Please label your file as LastName_FirstName_SessionName and submit by October 29, 2021 23:59 EDT. Click on this link to upload your file: https://www.dropbox.com/request/XbA4czdZp03vjEIMil91

Click here to view Rubrics for Oral Presentation Evaluations as part of the GCFI Student Award Competition

Click here to view Guidelines for Extended Abstracts in English

Click here to view Guidelines for Extended Abstracts in Spanish

GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING VIRTUAL POSTERS

Poster Presenters will receive an email from our app provider Whova with a unique link to upload your poster. Only presenters registered for GCFI74 will receive this link.

• If you do not register for GCFI74 by October 15, 2021, your poster will be removed from the program. Here is the link to register: https://www.gcfi.org/conference-registration/
• If you have registered and have not received an email with your link by October 18, 2021, please contact [email protected]

Poster and Video Upload Instructions

• Posters should be uploaded to the GCFI74 Meeting App in Whova (PDF Only – Max File Size: 10 MB). Recommended Poster Dimensions: Horizontal (6 ft wide x 4 ft high)
• Presenters will have option of uploading a 3 – 5 minute video describing their poster (Max File Size: 100 MB). This option is highly recommended.
• Presenters also have the option to include supplementary material such as links to publications, social media as well as a poster highlight section.
• Posters will be available for viewing by meeting registrants from November 1, 2021

1. After signing in to Whova and creating your profile, click “Add Document” to upload the PDF of your poster.
2. Click “Add Video” to upload your optional 3 – 5 minute video.
3. Click “Save.”
4. You can also add links to publications and social media during this stage

Participants must upload their poster and other materials by October 29, 2021 11:59 PM EDT.

Tips And Tricks for Creating Posters

• Start with a readable title at the top and create a simple layout that is easy for the reader to navigate
• Limit the amount of information on your poster: use bullet points rather than full paragraphs
• Negative space – don’t feel the need to fill every bit of your poster with text/images
• Keep your font large and contrast strong enough so the audience can see all of your text
• Be consistent in formats, fonts and other repetitive features
• Include contact information and eye catching visuals
• Share your poster with collaborators to ensure the information and data are accurate.

Poster Highlights: Using the ‘Description/Abstract’ section of your virtual poster exhibit, you can also provide a few highlights about your research. Highlights are three to five bullet points that help the reader to efficiently grasp the nature and scope of your research. Think of this as an ‘elevator pitch’ of your poster to grab attendees’ attention. Feel free to be creative, and click here for more tips on writing research highlights from the publisher, Elsevier.

Click here to view Rubrics for Poster Presentation Evaluations as part of the GCFI Student Award Competition

Click here to view Guidelines for Extended Abstracts in English

Click here to view Guidelines for Extended Abstracts in Spanish

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

The conference program features multi-disciplinary thematic sessions. Each session may have a mix of natural and social science, management, and technology related to the ecosystem or fisheries, highlighting the conference theme. Papers and posters are solicited in the following areas (other subjects not listed below will also be considered):

• Governance, livelihoods, and organizations
• Reefs and associated ecosystems and fisheries
  • Shallow and deep reef fishes
  • Snapper and grouper fisheries
  • Fish spawning aggregations
  • Lionfish and other invasive species
  • Artificial reefs
• Queen conch, spiny lobster, and other invertebrates
• Marine protected areas science and management
• Pelagic ecosystem and recreational fisheries
• Continental shelf ecosystem fisheries
• Shrimp and demersal trawl fisheries
• Habitats, climate change, and coastal management
• Climate change science and adaptation
• Sargassum science and management
• Aquaculture
• Marine litter science and management (including ALDFG)
• Communication and environmental education

SPECIAL SESSIONS

1) Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Research and Innovations

This special session will highlight the latest stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) research from around the Gulf-Caribbean region. The session will help share knowledge, promote collaboration, and highlight innovative research, treatment, and rescue approaches to the disease throughout the region.

Format: This half-day session will feature a series of brief presentations highlighting the latest SCTLD research, followed by a panel discussion composed of SCLTD experts from around the region.

Goals:
● Share information regarding the latest SCTLD research findings and innovations.
● Identify key research gaps and questions.
● Increase awareness among participants related to SCTLD and solutions and efforts underway to respond to the continued spread of the disease.
● Highlight management implications of research and explain how our current state of knowledge enables us to manage and address the disease.
● Promote collaboration and information sharing among disease experts, scientists, managers, and stakeholders throughout the Gulf and Caribbean region.
● Share research priorities and outstanding questions from different regions, promoting collaborative research partnerships.

Organizers: Caroline McLaughlin (Florida Sea Grant), Dana Wusinich-Mendez (NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program), Emma Doyle (Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute)

Contact: For more information, please email [email protected]

2) Celebrating the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in the Gulf and Caribbean region through recovery and resilience

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2022 as the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA 2022). Small-scale fisheries contribute greatly to the livelihoods, food security, and cultural wellbeing of thousands of persons in the Gulf and Caribbean region. Despite the important role that small-scale fisheries (SSF) play in national and local economies, small-scale fisheries are seen as poorly planned, unregulated, marginalized, and inadequately funded. The special recognition of small-scale fisheries and aquaculture in 2022 represents a key opportunity to bring increase attention to the men and women who are engaged in the industry. In the region, activities for IYAFA 2022 are being spearheaded by countries and partners who are committed to showcasing the important role small-scale fishers play in contributing to their social and economic fabric. The overall theme for the region is Resilience and Recovery, with cross-cutting attention to Gender and Youth. This theme is supported by three sub-themes: social resilience, innovation, and intersectoral linkages.

In this special session, we aim to present a sample of the diversity of actors and activities being mobilized to celebrate IYAFA in the region. To accomplish this, we have convened actors from across the region that span the small-scale fisheries and aquaculture value chain. Here, you will hear what IYAFA means to these actors and the activities they already undertaking in anticipation of the dedicated year to small-scale fisheries and aquaculture. Indeed, this diversity of speakers including fishers, policymakers, researchers, and private sector representatives will demonstrate the intersectoral linkages being highlighted during IYAFA. Through this special session, the goal is to further galvanize partners in the region to not only get involved in local activities but also to integrate dedicated IYAFA activities in their programs in 2022.

Contact: Yvette DieiOuadi ([email protected]) and Eric Wade ([email protected])

3) Science, Management, and Solutions to address Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico

This special session will bring together scientists, researchers, managers, fishers, government officials, partners, and other stakeholders to share current state of the science, lessons learned, ongoing activities, and other issues related to abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the Wider Caribbean region. The intent of this session is to bring together collective perspectives and expertise from stakeholders on ALDFG.

Organizers: Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute.

Contact: For more information, please email [email protected]

WORKSHOPS

Regional Caribbean Best Practice ALDFG Cross-Sectoral Solutions Workshop

Hosted by: Global Ghost Gear Initiative, Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Caribbean Node of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML-Caribe)

Description: This workshop will be built on the foundations laid by a series of very successful joint FAO/GGGI ALDFG workshops held in 2019 in Vanuatu, Indonesia, Senegal and Panama respectively. This workshop will draw most heavily on the workshop delivered in Panama City in November, 2019, as many of the outcomes and lessons learned will be most directly attributable to the Caribbean region. Drawing on the extensive networks of both GCFI and GGGI, this workshop will bring together stakeholders from all over the Gulf and Caribbean region to discuss ALDFG in a regional context, gather relevant data and insights from local fishers and community members, and discuss the best methods to address ALDFG successfully in the Caribbean context. This workshop will draw on the GGGI Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear as a way to frame the discussion and the various workshop activities.

Contact: For more information, or to become involved in this workshop, please email [email protected]

To CARI’MAM, and beyond

Hosted by: Agoa Sanctuary (French Biodiversity Agency)

Description: The CARI’MAM project, standing for Caribbean Marine Mammals Conservation Network, co-funded by European Interreg funds, aims to strengthen the network of marine protected areas and organizations dedicated to the protection of marine mammals in the Greater Caribbean Region. While the funding ends in November 2021, the objective is to keep this network of highly dedicated people alive.

The objective of this workshop is to wrap up three years of common actions, related to monitoring, capacity building, awareness raising and management of marine mammals in the Caribbean, and share new interesting discoveries about these species. This meeting will be a major step to organize the follow up for the next years, reinforce old partnership and create new cooperation opportunities.

Contact: For more information or to become involved in this workshop, please email Gérald Mannaerts ([email protected])

STORY SLAM

This year, the GCFI Conference will continue with our story slam focused on compelling stories from the field. We encourage submission of 5-minute contributions that will be performed via a story-telling format. There is no restriction on the topic of the story except that it cannot be only a scientific presentation unless it relates to some entertaining experience you may have had. Some examples of story topics are experiences from field-work, unexpected interactions with a person or animal, a mentor who influenced you, or any other memorable experiences.

Relive the GCF73 Story Slam here

The CINEFISH Film Festival Program is now available

(Click the image below to download)

Please Click Below for Rubrics for Student Award Evaluations:

Oral Presentations

Poster Presentations

STUDENT AWARDS

Outstanding Student Achievement Award

GCFI, through partnerships with NOAA’s Caribbean Fisheries Management Council and the Harte Research Institute is awarding $1,500 scholarships to the best oral and poster presentations (both virtual and in-person presentations are eligible). The content of the presentation must be related to final research done by the student related to their thesis or dissertation. If already submitted, this thesis or dissertation must be no older than one year. An extended abstract or a full manuscript of the oral/poster presentation must be submitted to the Student Awards Committee Chair ([email protected]) prior to the meeting to be eligible for this award. The award winners will receive their scholarship at the following year’s conference, to help support their participation in this meeting. Complete instructions and eligibility requirements are on the Outstanding Student Achievement Awards web page.

GCFI Travel Awards

GCFI in partnership with the Harte Research Institute will offer two travel awards of US$750 each to eligible students to help offset travel costs to GCFI74. The deadline for students to apply for this award is July 31, 2021. Complete instructions and eligibility requirements are on the GCFI Student Travel Awards web page. Students will be notified of acceptance/rejection of their application by September 1, 2021. Students may apply for a travel award and for consideration for the Student Achievement Award in the same year. Students who received the GCFI72 Student Achievement Award are not eligible for a travel award.

Ron Schmied Scholarship

The Ron Schmied Scholarship, a GCFI initiative supported by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and private individuals, will be offered to a qualified graduate student in support of their travel to GCFI74. The Scholarship is in the amount of US$1,500, and graduate students with an interest in social, economic, biological, ecological, or management perspectives on recreational fisheries are eligible to apply. The deadline for students to apply for this award is July 31, 2021. Students will be notified of acceptance/rejection of their application by September 1, 2021. Note that a manuscript of the oral/poster presentation must be submitted to be eligible for this award. Complete instructions and eligibility requirements for the Ron Schmied Scholarship are on the Ron Schmied Scholarship page. Students may apply for the Scholarship and for consideration for the Student Achievement Award in the same year. Students may also ask to be considered for the Ron Schmied Scholarship and a GCFI Travel Award in the same year but will only receive one award.

SCRFA Student Travel Award

Science and Conservation of Fish Aggregations (SCRFA) will offer a Student Travel Award of US$800 to a student in the Caribbean Region to attend GCFI74. SCRFA has the mission to promote responsible stewardship of fish aggregations through better conservation and management and by building capacity and knowledge based on good science. The SCRFA Student Travel Award is to encourage and help students to work in this important area and showcase their ideas and work in a presentation (talk) at GCFI. The deadline for students applying for the award and submitting an abstract and all supporting paperwork is 31 July, 2021. Students will be notified of their application success by 1 September, 2021. Applications and further information enquiries are to be sent to Martin Russell (SCRFA Chair/CEO) [email protected].

GLADDING MEMORIAL AWARD

The GCFI Gladding Memorial Award (GMA) committee is requesting nominations of outstanding fishers for the 74th GCFI GMA. This annual award is presented to select fishers (men and women) who demonstrate, as Peter Gladding did, significant commitment to the sustainable use and long-term conservation of marine resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean region.

You are invited to submit award nominations to the GMA committee at [email protected].  All nominations must be received by August 15 2021. Background information on the GMA, nomination forms with award criteria, and details of the process are available on the GCFI website.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To stay informed of all GCFI74 updates, we encourage you to follow GCFI on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the Conference Hashtag #GCFI74. More details on fun activities coming soon!

COVID-19 & GCFI74

For the last year, the GCFI team has been following the status of COVID with the intention of holding an in-person meeting this November.  However, rather than abating, the COVID delta variant has been spreading and Florida is one of the epicenters.  For this reason, regretfully we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the in-person component of what we planned to be a hybrid in-person/virtual event. Our primary consideration has always been the health of our community and this drove our decision to cancel the in-person conference.  The results of our online survey further reinforced this decision since over 60% of respondents indicated that they would no longer attend given the current conditions.

Having said that, we have always been preparing for this eventuality and have developed a very dynamic and interactive online event.  Rest assured that we are taking all steps to ensure that the virtual event will be creative and exciting for all participants. Details of this will be forthcoming.

The GCFI recognizes that the annual conference is a great opportunity to meet old friends and make new connections and we are committed to achieving this through our virtual approach. This decision has been particularly difficult, and we appreciate all the support we have had through these tough times. We can’t wait until the day when we can all meet again without the cloud of covid. We hope to see you virtually at GCFI74 and in-person in November 2022.

Creating a safe meeting whilst ensuring an enjoyable experience is our top priority.  For our members who are unable to, or prefer not to travel to the in-person part of the event, we will have live-streamed and pre-recorded presentations available.  For participants attending GCFI74 in-person, we are working with our local host and venue to create an event experience where all participants remain safe and comfortable. 

As the meeting dates approach, we are monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and are reviewing updated CDC guidelines. We will be incorporating measures that will ensure optimal health and sanitary conditions in all environments where in-person interactions take place.

The GCFI74 Conference Program is available for download in English and Spanish