The Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership is seeking nominations for the 2026 Melissa Laser Fish Habitat Conservation Award, recognizing individuals who have furthered the conservation, protection, restoration, and enhancement of habitat for native Atlantic coastal, estuarine-dependent, and diadromous fishes in a unique or extraordinary manner.
The award was established in memory of Dr. Melissa Laser who passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2010. Melissa was a biologist with the Maine Department of Marine Resources where she worked tirelessly to protect, improve, and restore aquatic ecosystems in Maine and along the entire Atlantic coast.
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Nominations should include:
- How and to what project the individual or individuals contributed. Please note if the individual or individuals are directly associated with ACFHP (i.e., a member of a committee, working group, or funded/endorsed project team).
- A description of how this project furthers the mission or vision of ACFHP (mission and vision can be found at https://www.atlanticfishhabitat.org/mission-and-vision/).
- What qualities the individual or individuals possess that set them apart from others.
- Letters of support are welcomed but not required.
Nominations should be 250 words or less and submitted through an ACFHP partner organization or ex-officio member of an ACFHP committee or working group. Please see the partner contact list or visit https://www.atlanticfishhabitat.org/our-team/.
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For additional information on submitting a 2026 nomination for the Melissa Laser Fish Habitat Conservation Award, please visit:
On the site, you can also learn about past award recipients, including Annie Roddenberry, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who was honored last year for her outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to improving habitat for native fish and wildlife along Florida’s Atlantic coast.
The 2026 award will be presented at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission in Newport, RI this fall (November 9-12, 2026).
Please send nominations to Simen Kaalstad, ACFHP Director (SKaalstad@asmfc.org), by Friday, September 18, 2026.
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