The American Fisheries Society is honoring recently retired Florida Institute of Oceanography director Bill Hogarth with the Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award — one of the nation's premier awards in fisheries science - in recognition of his long career and leadership in preserving some of the world's most threatened species, advocating for environmental protections and leading Florida's scientific response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Bill Hogarth is the recipient of the American Fisheries Society's Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award. University of South Florida photo. The award recognizes a wide span of achievements in Hogarth's 51-year-career in marine science. Hogarth is credited with bringing greater international attention to preserving threatened fish species such as the Atlantic bluefin tuna and sharks.

AFS created the prestigious award, known as the "Sully," in 1991 as a memorial to former AFS Executive Director Carl Sullivan. It is awarded annually in his memory to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the conservation of fishery resources.

"It is truly an honor to receive the Carl R. Sullivan Award from the American Fisheries Society," Hogarth said. "Carl Sullivan exhibited outstanding leadership in creating the conservation movement that resulted in the passage of the Sport Fishing Restoration Act "Wallop-Breaux Amendment" that expanded the federal funding for fisheries program across the country. I am proud of personally knowing Carl and to receive the "Sully."

Hogarth retired as FIO's director on July 31.

"Bill Hogarth has had a singularly diverse but enormously influential career in fisheries," said USF professor Steve Murawski in his nomination of Hogarth for the honor. "Although his professional roles have changed over the years, he has found a way to make a significant difference in the management of fisheries and in the lives of people with which he has worked. His accomplishments have been many and diverse, but always significant."