The Virginia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (VCAFS) is a subunit of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), the world's oldest and largest organization promoting the scientific management of aquatic resources for the optimum use and enjoyment by the people of North America. VCAFS was established in 1990 to provide fisheries professionals in Virginia with increased access to AFS; encourage the exchange of information among fisheries and other aquatic resource professionals; provide a forum for the discussion, debate, and resolution of aquatic resource issues within Virginia; and serve the Commonwealth by providing expert scientific knowledge to allow for informed decisions concerning the use and development of the state's natural resources. The Virginia Chapter membership includes many of the professional fisheries scientists of the Commonwealth.