The “Rocket Scientist” of bass biology

That’s who’s managing Florida bass! Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist Wes Porak won the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. Porak was nominated by his colleagues for his leading role in conserving black bass diversity and fisheries management. Through Porak’s leadership and the group’s pioneering work, FWC scientists have completed statewide genetic population surveys of native Florida bass, Suwannee bass and shoal bass, with important implications for conservation and management of all these bass species.