Limnology and Oceanography (L&O) is published by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), which traces its roots to the Limnological Society of America (established 1936). Although North American in origin, ASLO is in fact an international society (more than a quarter of the members reside outside of North America). The purposes of ASLO are to promote the interests of limnology, oceanography, and related sciences, to foster the exchange of information across the range of aquatic science, and to further investigations dealing with these subjects. These goals are realized by publishing L&O, holding regular annual meetings, and by sponsoring occasional special symposia about controversial issues in aquatic ecology.