The C.A. Schultz Conservation Award
In recognition of C.A.’s work and strong conservation-based ideals, the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society developed the “C.A. Schultz Conservation Award” to be presented to individuals that promote the same conservation ideals for which C. A. Schultz was admired. The recipient of the award will be presented with an engraved plaque at the MSAFS annual meeting. In addition the recipient’s name will be added to a commemorative plaque that will be permanently displayed at the MSAFS home site (i.e., MDWFP fish hatchery at Enid Reservoir). Shortly after C.A.’s passing, Steve Ross suggested that part or all of the proceeds resulting from the sales of copies of the “Inland Fishes of Mississippi” during the 28th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society held in Biloxi, Mississippi, be used to “seed”a memorial to C.A. The EXCOM followed the suggestion and deposited the $1,000 donation resulting from the book sale along with $1,000 match from the Chapter into a new certificate of deposit account that will be used solely for the award. In February 2005, Mrs. Lawana Schultz, C.A.’s wife, donated $1,000 to the memorial fund. In addition, the Chapter will gladly accept contributions to the fund, and may initiate a fund raising campaign in the future inviting contributions from the membership and others to the memorial fund.
In recognition of his years of service and dedication in promoting the conservation of Mississippi’s natural resources, Cleburne Arthur (C.A.) Schultz was presented with a “Distinguished Service Award” by the Chapter at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MSAFS) held in Biloxi, Mississippi, 6-8 February 2002. C.A. was hired by the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission in 1958 as one of their first fisheries biologist, and quickly became respected among professionals within the state and throughout the southeast. He had a tremendous grasp and appreciation for both nongame and game species, and worked diligently to provide technical insight on numerous projects that would potentially impact the diversity of Mississippi’s native fauna. Throughout his career, C.A. was very supportive of the parent society and of the state chapter. Regretfully, C.A. passed away shortly after the meeting on 2 April 2002.
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Summary of Career for Cleburne Arthur (C.A.) Schultz
After serving the Far East Command of World War II in Tokyo, Japan, C.A. earned a B.S. Degree in Zoology with a minor in Wildlife Management from A&M College of Texas in August 1951. He worked under Dr. Gordon Gunther at the Institute of Marine Science (University of Texas) at Port Aransas, Texas gathering data on movements and identification of larval shrimp from Galveston Bay to the Rio Grande River. After seven years as a well logging engineer in the oil industry, he pursued his preferred profession of wildlife conservation in Mississippi. C.A. was hired by the Mississippi Game and Fish Commission in 1958 and shortly after became a respected biologist among professionals in the state and around the southeast. His initial duties involved monitoring pollution around the state and surveying native fishery resources. He was later involved in designing and supervising fishery research projects in north Mississippi reservoirs and streams where he formulated and implemented management plans. His integral part of the classic study at Lake Barkley in Kentucky earned him respect among his peers and the southeast. This study launched the movement to better understand the interactions of reservoir fishes to each other and their environment to form the base of knowledge upon which modern management practices were developed. He also represented Mississippi on the Reservoir Committee of the American Fisheries Society beginning in 1965 until at least 1980. Early in his career, C.A. conducted environmental assessments of flood control projects and worked intensively with other agencies such as the Corps of Engineers and the Fish and Wildlife Service. He became an important liaison for the state when it came to adjusting construction plans or proposing mitigation to reduce fishery impacts. His pre-impoundment studies in the Tombigbee River Basin prior to construction of the Tenn-Tom Waterway remain an important body of work for documenting natural conditions in that system. These studies involved water quality, habitats, and inventories of fish and macrobenthos populations which allowed him to have input into Corps of Engineers construction plans. Other areas of involvement during his career in Mississippi included management of state owned lakes, stream studies as related to channelization, a study of the state’s commercial fishery, and a wide variety of technical assistance provided to private land owners, fish farming operations, and other agencies. Even after retirement, C.A. stayed involved as a consultant to work being conducted on a unique strain of walleye native to the Tombigbee River system. C. A. Schultz remained active in the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society until his death on 2 April 2002.
** Summary prepared and presented by Donald C. Jackson at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Fisheries Society held in Biloxi, Mississippi, 6-8 February 2002.