The Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA) network is set to hold its annual Advisory Board Meeting (ABM) online from September 16 to 18, 2024. This year's meeting is particularly noteworthy as it will focus on adopting new Terms of Reference that aim to modernize ASFA's governance and streamline its operations.

Transition to a steering committee

A central agenda item is the proposed replacement of the existing Partnership Agreement with new Terms of Reference. This change will transition ASFA's governance from the current Partnership Agreement that has been in place since 1987, to a more agile and flexible framework that allows partners to participate in ASFA at different levels. Partners are urged to review these Terms carefully, as they will need to confirm their participation under the new structure to continue their institution's involvement with ASFA.

Meeting highlights

• Day One – September 16, 2024: Dedicated to discussing the new Terms of Reference. Two sessions will be offered to accommodate different time zones. Partners need to register for one session only.
• Day Two – September 17, 2024: Presentation of ASFA's financial overview, including income and expenditures for 2023 and the first half of 2024. The session will also cover budget planning for 2025 and discussions on ASFA's financial sustainability.
• Day Three – September 18, 2024: Focus on OpenASFA developments and the activities of various working groups. The meeting will conclude with discussions on ASFA's business model and future initiatives.

Embracing change while honoring the past

As ASFA prepares to adopt the new governance structure, this ABM may be the final gathering of the Advisory Board in its current form. The organization extends heartfelt gratitude to all past and present Advisory Board members for their invaluable contributions over the years.

Looking ahead

The meeting will also include a call for proposals to host the in-person ASFA meeting in 2025, signaling a hopeful return to face-to-face collaboration. Institutions interested in hosting are encouraged to express their interest during the meeting.