Speakers
We are pleased to have three outstanding speakers as part of our symposium. They are internationally-recognized scholars in a variety of themes related to salmonid introductions around the world.
Meet the invited speakers:
Dr. Eva B. Thorstad is a researcher at the Norwegian Institute of Nature Research and an academic at the Norwegian Arctic University. She is also a Member of the Norwegian Scientific Advisory Committee for Atlantic Salmon Management. With 25 years of experience managing research projects and methodological expertise in electronic telemetry tagging and other fish monitoring methods, her expertise lies in fish ecology, population assessment, behavior, and migrations in both freshwater and marine environments. Her research experience includes studying the impacts of salmon escapes and the rapid expansion of the invasive alien species, pink salmon, in the North Sea. Dr. Thorstad applies her expertise in consultancy, communication, and education, contributing to national and international research projects while serving as a scientific advisor to various entities, including management agencies, governments, organizations, and companies.
key papers:
- Diaz Pauli, B.D., Berntsen, H.H., Thorstad, E.B., Homrum, E., Lusseau, S.M., Wennevik, V. & Utne, K.R. 2023. Geographic distribution, abundance, diet, and body size of invasive pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in the Norwegian and Barents Seas, and in Norwegian rivers. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 80:76-90.
- Matley, J., Klinard, N.V., Barbosa Martins, A.P., Aarestrup, K., Aspillaga, E.,Cooke, S.J., Cowley, P.D., Heupel, M.R., Lowe, C.G., Lowerre-Barbieri, S.K., Mitamura, H., Moore, J.-S., Simpfendorfer, C.A., Stokesbury, M.J.W., Taylor, M.D., Thorstad, E.B., Vandergoot, C.S. & Fisk, A.T. 2022. Global trends in aquatic animal tracking with acoustic telemetry. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 37: 79-94.
- Forseth, T., Barlaup, B.T., Finstad, B., Fiske, P., Gjøsæter, H., Falkegård, M., Hindar, A., Mo, T.A., Rikardsen, A.H., Thorstad, E.B., Vøllestad, A. & Wennevik, V. 2017. The major threats to Atlantic salmon in Norway. ICES Journal of Marine Science 74: 1496-1513.
Bernd Hänfling
Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, Molecular Ecology, eDNA.
Dr. Bernd Hänfling is director of research at the Institute for Biodiversity and Freshwater Conservation, University of the Highlands and Islands, UK. He is a molecular ecologist with over 25 years of experience studying the ecology and evolution of freshwater organisms. His primary expertise lies in developing and applying molecular tools for research and conservation management. Dr. Hänfling’s research aims to understand both natural and anthropogenic processes shaping freshwater biodiversity distribution, with a focus on phylogeography, population genetics, and the colonization history of invasive species. He employs population genomic approaches to investigate local adaptations and has recently shifted his focus to the development of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for biodiversity monitoring. This includes eDNA metabarcoding for estimating fish community diversity and using eDNA approaches to address key ecological questions in aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Hänfling is also committed to evidence-based conservation and endeavors to translate fundamental research into effective management strategies and policies, actively engaging with stakeholders to facilitate knowledge transfer.
key papers:
- Harper, L. R., Buxton, A. S., Rees, H. C., Bruce, K., Brys, R., Halfmaerten, D., Read, D. S., Watson, H. V., Sayer, C. D., Jones, E. P., Priestley, V., Mächler, E., Múrria, C., Garcés-Pastor, S., Medupin, C., Burgess, K., Benson, G., Boonham, N., Griffiths, R. A., … Hänfling, B. (2019). Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring in freshwater ponds. Hydrobiologia, 826(1), 25–41.
- Hering, D., Borja, A., Jones, J. I., Pont, D., Boets, P., Bouchez, A., Bruce, K., Drakare, S., Hänfling, B., Kahlert, M., Leese, F., Meissner, K., Mergen, P., Reyjol, Y., Segurado, P., Vogler, A., & Kelly, M. (2018). Implementation options for DNA-based identification into ecological status assessment under the European Water Framework Directive. Water Research, 138, 192–205.
- Hänfling, B., Lawson Handley, L., Read, D. S., Hahn, C., Li, J., Nichols, P., Blackman, R. C., Oliver, A., & Winfield, I. J. (2016). Environmental DNA metabarcoding of lake fish communities reflects long-term data from established survey methods. Molecular Ecology, 25(13), 3101–3119.
Iván Arismendi
Freshwater Ecology and Conservation; Aquatic Invasions; Food Webs.
Dr. Ivan Arismendi currently holds an Associate Professor position at Oregon State University, USA. Growing up in southern Chile, his interest for aquatic ecology was sparked as he witnessed the invasion of trout and salmon in his native waters. He leads scientific research focused on global environmental change, invasion biology, and aquatic food webs. To date, Dr. Arismendi has published more than 110 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has received various awards, including the “Savery Outstanding Young Faculty Award” from the College of Agricultural Sciences at Oregon State University, and the Emmeline Moore Prize from the American Fisheries Society (AFS), a career achievement award that recognizes efforts in the promotion of demographic diversity in AFS. His research lab includes members from a variety of identities and backgrounds including racial and gender minorities, veterans, and international scholars. He self-identifies as a LatinX scientist with a strong commitment to serve as an example to students that science is available to everyone.
Key papers:
- Flitcroft, R. L., Abell, R., Harrison, I., Arismendi, I., & Penaluna, B. E. (2023). Making global targets local for freshwater protection. Nature Sustainability, 6(12), 1499–1502.
- Soto, D., Arismendi, I., Olivos, J. A., Canales-Aguirre, C. B., Leon-Muñoz, J., Niklitschek, E. J., Sepúlveda, M., Paredes, F., Gomez-Uchida, D., & Soria-Galvarro, Y. (2023). Environmental risk assessment of non-native salmonid escapes from net pens in the Chilean Patagonia. Reviews in Aquaculture, 15(1), 198–219.
- Arismendi, I., B.E. Penaluna, D. Gomez-Uchida, C. Di Prinzio, D. Rodríguez-Olarte, F.M. Carvajal-Vallejos, J.I. Mojica, R. Mazzoni, V. Cussac, M. Maldonado, E. Pellegrini, A.J. Zeballos, A. Villalba, P.A. Van Damme, L. Córdova, R. Iglesias-Rios, D. Cañas-Rojas, M. Cañas-Merino, J.N. Benavente, M. Núñez-Flores, S.S. Musleh, P. Savaria. 2019. Trout and Char of South America. In: Trout and Char of the World. Kershner J, J Williams, R Gresswell and J Lobon-Cervia (Eds.). American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, MD. pp 279-311.