ARLINGTON, Va.- Eddies, the award winning conservation magazine created and published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a 2011 Excellence in Craft Award in the Industry Public Relations category from the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) at the group's 2011 conference in Branson, Mo.

Eddies: Reflections on Fisheries Conservation is published quarterly with story content describing the efforts of the department's staff and programs. Debuting in Spring 2008, the publication continues to feature original content bylined by conservation leaders, professional journalists and department employees along with exceptional supporting photography.

Eddies is led by Executive Editor, Stuart Leon; Deputy Editor, Richard Christian; and Editor, Craig Springer in the Service's Division of Fisheries and Aquatic Resource Conservation.

"Eddies seeks to inform its readers of the conservation work - past, present and future - of the Division of Fisheries," said Leon.

Each issue has several feature stories and five regular departments. Assistant Director, Bryan Arroyo, leads each issue with his Headwaters column. Additional regular features include the newsy and noteworthy Watermarks section, American Fishes covers the life history of an important fish, Pioneers with stories about the men and women of conservation from the past - those who have worked in fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1871 and Meanders which closes each issue.

To view Eddies, go to www.fws.gov/eddies.