Contact US
The Organization
- South Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
- 217 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 953-9365 (phone)
http://scafs.fisheries.org(web)
SCAFS Officers
Amy Dukes, President-elect (DukesA@dnr.sc.gov)
South Carolina DNR, Office of Fisheries Management, Charleston SC (1999 to current)
I have had the pleasure to work within the agency for over 21 years. Hired just after graduating from Coastal Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science, it has been an adventure to work alongside and get dirty with a wide variety of colleagues with a multitude of saltwater species. Joining AFS early in my DNR career, participating in executing 2 successful Southern Division Meetings with the Chapter, and now serving as an officer, has allowed for me to showcase and share my desire to improve the conservation and sustainability of these fisheries resources. I look forward to furthering my professional development with the countless opportunities for networking with other fisheries professionals through the AFS community, which will allow me to achieve my next goals in my career!
Julie Vecchio, SCAFS President Elect (vecchioj@dnr.sc.gov)
South Carolina DNR, Marine Resources Division, Reef Fish Survey (2020 to current)
I lead non-traditional research methods in the Coastal Research Section of the South Carolina DNR, including analysis of reef fish populations using video camera footage and reef fish ecology using stable isotopes. Growing up a midwestern kid, I dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. No one, including myself, thought that dream would come true, but here I am. I have a B. A. in Biology from Albion College in Michigan, a M.S. in marine biology from the College of Charleston and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of South Florida. After 16 years in Florida, I am relieved to have returned to South Carolina in 2022, and love getting to work with the South Carolina AFS chapter, one of the most integrative chapters around.
William Wood, Secretary (woodw@dnr.sc.gov)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Freshwater Fisheries, Region I (2020 to present)
I have been blessed to be working for SCDNR since the beginning of 2020. I earned my B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from N.C. State University and my M.S. in Biology from Tennessee Tech University. Since graduating from Tennessee Tech, I’ve been in the upstate helping manage all our amazing fisheries by conducting monitoring surveys, habitat enhancement efforts, modifying stocking strategies, fisheries research projects and outreach to our local angling clubs, university students and the general public. SCAFS gives me the opportunity to meet other fisheries professionals from throughout South Carolina and learn how to better manage, research, and enhance our fisheries.
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Wiley Sinkus, Treasurer & SCAFS Webmaster (sinkusw@dnr.sc.gov) -
South Carolina DNR, Marine Resources Division, Reef Fish Survey (2014 to current)
- I am Wildlife Biologist working in the Coastal Resources Section at South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. I graduated from Wofford College in 2012 with a BS in Biology and earned a masters degree from the College of Charleston in 2016. I have been working on and off at SC DNR since 2014. At DNR, I currently help manage the histology lab and am involved in field work aboard the RV Palmetto, RV Lady Lisa, and RV Silver Crescent. I am also part of the SC DNR Dive team, servicing South Carolina’s coastal receiver array. In my spare time, I enjoys spending time with is family, cooking, fishing, biking and football.
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Joe Evans, President (EvansJ@dnr.sc.gov)
South Carolina DNR, Marine Resource Division, Reef Fish Survey (2012 to current)
I have always had an appreciation for the sea, my grandparents used to take me and my brothers camping near the beaches in New England every summer when I was young. So naturally, I gravitated back to that area for college. I received my BS in Marine Biology from Roger Williams University in 2007 and since then my career path has been joined to the sea in some way, from the Florida Keys to the Aleutian Islands I have been lucky to be able to get my feet wet quickly. Working with the SCDNR has enabled me to stay in one place for a while and connected me with a lot really interesting people, this is how I got connected with the South Carolina Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in 2013. Being a part of AFS connects us with other professionals not just from saltwater but freshwater fisheries as well. These relationships have enabled me to further my career and inspire new ideas for current projects. As the current President of the chapter I hope to energize membership and increase collaboration with student sub-units.