Dr. Zohar has over 40 years of substantial record in the field of marine biotechnology with a focus on sustainable aquaculture. He is recognized globally for his pioneering research and technology development on high value marine fish, which he has translated into commercial applications in the aquaculture industry. Early during his research career, Dr. Zohar made the breakthrough discovery that a key brain hormone, gonadotropin releasing hormone (which he also discovered as a novel fish hormone), malfunctions in captivity, which is why in aquaculture setups many fish fail to spawn. He then synthesized super-active analogues of the hormone and incorporated them into biodegradable implants that very efficiently induced captive ovulation, spawning and milt production in scores of farmed fish. More recently, Dr. Zohar has led an industry-funded research program aimed at using transient gene silencing technology to generate reproductively sterile fish.

His work has gained worldwide recognition and he has received several prestigious national and international honors and awards, including the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Fish Endocrinology.

Dr. Zohar is Presidential Professor and Chair of the Department of Marine Biotechnology, Director of the Aquaculture Research Center at the Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, and former Director of the Institute that is part of the University System of Maryland.

Dr. Straus is one of the most valuable scientists working in US aquaculture based on the practical significance of his research and his professional and industry service. His years of contributions, dedication, impacts and tireless service to USDA/ARS - Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center, the United States Aquaculture Society, and the entire warmwater aquaculture industry make him well deserving of this award.

Dr. Straus served as Lead Scientist developing information on fish diseases and effectiveness of therapeutants for the FDA-drug approval process on copper sulfate and potassium permanganate. He also conducted research with Aquaflor and methyltestosterone. He worked with a group of international collaborators to introduce peracetic acid for use in aquaculture.

As an example of his versatility, while attempting to produce triploid hybrid striped bass by temperature shock and pressure shock, he researched different compounds to prevent egg adhesion. He found that whole or evaporated milk worked best, and a major hybrid striped bass producer in the United States began using it immediately.

Dr. Straus has authored over 85 refereed journal articles, and many reports, abstracts/proceedings, popular articles, and newsletters in addition to mentoring several graduate students. Besides research, he has contributed many other ways to promote aquaculture, among them being his time on the Board of the United States Aquaculture Society, the Steering Committee for Aquaculture America 2017, and ultimately serving as President of USAS 2018-2019.

Dr. Rubino transformed federal aquaculture policy, research, and development and is a preeminent thought leader in the fields of seafood, fisheries, aquaculture, and marine policy. As Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture from 2004 to 2019, he led the rebuilding of NOAA’s Aquaculture Program, which includes activities at NOAA Fisheries, the National Sea Grant College Program, and NOAA’s National Ocean Service. Since 2019, he has served as NOAA’s Senior Advisor for Seafood Strategy.

Dr. Rubino has been the driving force behind numerous federal aquaculture actions including:

• the first National Aquaculture Development Plan since 1983

• the National Shellfish Initiative which inspired a dozen state shellfish initiatives

• the USDA‐NOAA Alternative Feeds Initiative

• and many many more built by strong, collaborative, working relationships with other federal agencies, such as U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environment Protection Agency - EPA, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Prior to his work at NOAA, he spent a decade at the World Bank, and earlier was a partner in a shrimp farm in South Carolina and an aquaculture R&D company with facilities in South Carolina and the Caribbean. He holds a PhD from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Carole Engle is considered THE most recognized economist in the field of aquaculture, applying her expertise to issues across 22 different countries in all major world regions. She has served as Editor-in-Chief to two prestigious journals Aquaculture Economics and Management and the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, both of which can thank their current recognition and high-impact factors to this individual’s vision and efforts.

Dr. Nathan Stone is widely regarded as one of the best extension specialists in the country. His expertise ranges from aquaculture production, water quality, effluents, farm pond management, aquatic nuisance species, and alternative species development. He instrumented the first research verification program in aquaculture in 1993. Working with Arkansas fish farmers and the Arkansas Bait and Ornamental Fish Growers Association, he created a nationally recognized inspection and certification program to prevent the introduction and spread of disease and aquatic nuisance species. 

These recipients received their graduate degrees... and met... at Auburn University.  After that, they dedicated a lifetime of service to aquaculture development, first in Nicaragua and Panama, and then back here in the United States. They have produced hundreds of refereed journal articles, extension fact sheets, press articles, and dozens of book chapters. They have also served on countless task forces, committees, and boards. This impactful and proliferative work has lead to what seems like an equal number of well-deserved honors and awards. The impact of their work is palpable.

Together they spent 27 years at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. They created and directed the UAPB Aquaculture/Fisheries Center and worked hand in hand with catfish, baitfish, and sportfish producers to apply their respective economics and production skills to real farm problems. These include contributing to the adoption of commercial baitfish hatcheries, the adoption of Best Management Practices and a Baitfish Certification Program, and economic research to inform effluent guidelines, food safety and inspective services, invasive species, and risk management. Their efforts transformed baitfish farms in Arkansas and had a tremendous impact on the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the industry. In “retirement”, they continue to have a profound impact on aquaculture producers, colleagues, and the community. Notably, they provided COVID-19 pandemic economic impact analyses to the USDA resulting in inclusion of US aquaculture in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Individuals and businesses have found their footing, survived hardship, and thrived as a direct result of these remarkable individuals.

Their industry and scientific contributions will reverberate even after they “actually” retire and the US aquaculture industry is the biggest beneficiary of their tireless efforts and knowledgeable contributions. 

Dr. Shumway dedicated almost 50 years to enriching and informing commercial aquaculture through basic research in marine science and leading organizations and journals with a passion for excellence.

She spent the last 20 years at University of Connecticut, Avery Point, and secured over 50 competitive grants to support her proliferative research portfolio which includes work on harmful algal blooms, microplastics, and all aspects of the culture of commercial shellfish. She authored almost 200 research publications and almost 50 books, book chapters, and technical reports (including the book Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment). 

Dr. Shumway served as President of the National Shellfisheries Association and as a WAS Board member, Secretary, and Vice President. Her record of achievement and devotion to aquaculture has been affirmed by numerous awards and recognitions that include the honor of the distinguished title “fellow”.  She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Erasmus Mundas Scholar, Aldo Leopold Leadership Fellow, Honorary Fellow, University of Wales, and a Fellow of The World Aquaculture Society.

She served as Associate Editor for JWAS, Editor of the Journal of Shellfish Research (38 years), Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture (13 years), Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (18 years), Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Harmful Algae (18 years). She served as Chair of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Advisory Board, Chair of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council Technical Advisory Group, and member of the CERES Advisory Board. Notably, Dr. Shumway was instrumental in organizing the first Triennial conference of WAS/NSA/AFS Fish Culture Section and has since chaired the steering committee for the past 7 triennial conferences.

Tirelessly devoted to the development of young professionals, her time and mentorship is ensuring a legacy of well trained and well-educated practitioners to carry on the work and surpass expectations. She has been a dedicated contributor to US aquaculture on all levels, an outstanding ambassador, a strong spokesperson, the inspiration for the species Pseudopfiesteria shumwayae, and the first EVER female recipient of the USAS Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.

Steven Rawles is one of the country’s leading scholars in fish nutrition with notable contributions to the fields of foundational fish nutrition and striped bass production. After a few different life experiences, including work in extension and a kibbutz in Israel, he landed in Arkansas and has dedicated his 40-year career to advancing the domestic production of hybrid striped bass and other aquaculture target species such as tilapia, rainbow trout, and catfish. For the last 24 years of his career, his research efforts helped shape the aquaculture program at the USDA ARS Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center into what it is today… and  his scientific expertise, especially in complex statistical analysis, has helped many of us.

Steve published 79 peer-reviewed papers and presented at 46 international and national aquaculture conferences and workshops. The digestibility database he developed for ingredients pertinent to hybrid striped bass diets, in the words of one industry representative, is “a game changer”. He also served as the Associate Editor for the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society for 15 years and regularly served as a reviewer for 6 additional publications and 5 extramural funding programs. Additionally, he has been a go-to consultant to 8 major industry producers and feed manufacturers, including Silverstreak Bass Company (the largest hybrid striped bass producer in the nation), and feed companies Rangen, Cargill, Zeigler, Skretting, and AB vista. 

Steve served on the USAS board two separate times as a Member at Large, sat on the Technical Program Committee for three Aquaculture America conferences, organized many Special Sessions and workshops on Statistics and Best Management Practices at World Aquaculture Society conferences, and chaired and organized five US Aquaculture Society/American Fisheries Society - Fish Culture Section Continuing Education Workshops. Throughout his career, he advised 18 graduate students, numerous undergraduate students and student interns, and many aquaculture professionals who are lucky enough to call him a collaborator and friend.

Steve’s career achievements through his service and scientific output stand as a testament to his dedication and love of the industry, but the impacts he has had on colleagues, friends, collaborators and students is immeasurable. It can be difficult to consolidate these impacts likely due to the fact that he is more than happy to forego recognition and remain behind the scenes while his sizeable contributions speak for themselves.

Dr. Jimmy Avery is no stranger to USAS members and aquaculture producers. He is a past President of USAS (2007-2008) and has co-chaired the Catfish Special Session at USAS meetings since 2007. He also served as Chair of the USAS Elections Committee and Awards Committee and was a long-time member of the Publications Committee. He is an advisor to many commodity organizations, including the Catfish Farmers of America since 1995, the Catfish Farmers of Mississippi since 1999, and the Catfish Institute since 2002. He has assisted in the formation, organizational procedures, and writing of bylaws for the U.S. Catfish Improvement Association (2003), US Freshwater Prawn and Shrimp Growers Association (2002), Louisiana Aquaculture Association (1991), and Louisiana Catfish Farmers Association (1986). He is currently the Director of the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, which has a board comprised of producers and university personnel that decide annually on research and development projects for the southeastern US, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He has also served on several USDA committees regarding aquaculture, which are too numerous to list. 

Dr. Avery has been most impactful in two crucial federal programs:  The USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Catfish Inspection Rule and the USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) Assistance Programs. In 2008, FSIS contacted him to provide their personnel with educational opportunities concerning the production process and treatment regimens for disease and water quality. This was a direct result of the proposed Catfish Inspection Rule when the U.S. imported Siluriformes from Asia and domestic catfish sales declined. The inspection of Siluriformes and U.S. catfish products was initially under the FDA but was switched to the USDA in the 2008 Farm Bill.  As a result, he arranged educational sessions, farm tours, and processing plant visits to educate FSIS personnel. He also supplied supplemental information to give USDA inspectors the knowledge they needed to be stationed in U.S. processing plants for domestic catfish. In addition, he has continued to provide short courses for FSIS personnel on these topics. Additionally, he provided the same information to non-government agencies (NGOs) by providing overviews and industry tours regarding the need for the catfish inspection program. This was a great success, and the NGO groups were in full support.

As a result of the inspection of U.S. catfish, there have been a few recalls of fish based on the finding of dye residues in processed products.  Additional findings from fish found positive caused concern of environmental contamination. Fish, water, and sediment from ponds identified as positive for dye residues were collected and samples were split between the various labs for analysis. Findings were not consistent between labs or among ponds. Based on the inconsistencies, FSIS changed its testing protocol. 

After the two domestic catfish recalls by USDA FSIS, Dr. Avery approached Catfish Farmers of America about forming a committee called the Recall Task Force to investigate the sources of these two identified contaminants. The Task Force served in a consulting capacity to the catfish industry. The initial membership of the Task Force consisted of him, CFA’s FSIS consultant, a representative from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce Plant Industry Board, and a member of the CFA Executive Committee. The recalls made clear that FSIS was not going to do a trace back to find the source and state agencies had no authority since it was not a pesticide. After several meetings, the Recall Task Force unanimously decided that the effort needed to be refocused on prevention via the education of producers.  As a result, the Quality Assurance Educational team was formed in August 2017. Dr. Avery was made the leader and recruited technical experts from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Alabama. The goal was to produce a stand-alone educational program. Three educational sessions on Quality Assurance: Avoiding Residues in Catfish were held in November and December 2017.

Throughout the years, terrestrial livestock producers have had opportunities for supplemental agriculture assistance programs. When these programs were offered to aquaculture producers, Dr. Avery was instrumental in informing and educating producers on how to become eligible through workshops. These programs include the USDA Farm Services Agency Disaster Assistance Program, USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), 2008 Feed Assistance Program, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Catfish Farmers Program, 2009 Aquaculture Grant Program, Financial Assistance to Catfish Farmers due to Impact of COVID-19, and USDA FSA Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) to name a few. 

Don Webster, a specialist with the University of Maryland Extension, has been the consummate role model for what an aquaculture extension agent and specialist should emulate. He has been the driving force behind the advancement of the shellfish aquaculture industry in the Chesapeake Bay region. He has done more to educate the public, watermen, scientists, and politicians about the value aquaculture brings not only to Maryland and Virginia but to the nation as a whole. His affable, disarming nature affords him the ability to move protagonists and antagonists who stand “toe-to-toe” defending their views about aquaculture to a point where common ground is established and meaningful, thoughtful advances and conversations take place. 

Over the years, Mr. Webster sat with governors, US Congressmen and Congresswomen, and Senators, Secretaries of Agriculture (state and federal), Natural Resources, Interior, and other agencies and have discussions on a level that is appropriate, informative, and constructive. The next day he would be at a waterman’s dock having the same conversation at a level that was just as meaningful and germane to him as it was for the politicians. He is the prime driver behind Maryland having a citizen-driven, legislatively-appointed Aquaculture Coordinating Council that advises responsible agency heads and Maryland’s legislators as to what are the substantive issues that need to be addressed to advance the industry while simultaneously protecting the resource and commercial fishermen’s way of life.

Dr. Masser served as Extension Specialist at Kentucky State University and at Auburn University and was Head of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at Texas A&M. Dr. Masser has mentored and advised hundreds if not thousands of farmers, students and industry personnel in fisheries and aquaculture. He has authored over 175 publications and presented over 300 national and international talks on aquaculture, private impoundment management, in-pond raceways and aquatic vegetation management. He has consulted or participated in educational conferences in at least fourteen counties.

While at Auburn University, Dr. Masser conducted some of the foundational research on in-pond raceways. These production units have continued to evolve and are now widely utilized, including tens of thousands of units now active in China. Truly his research has had national and international impact.

During his time at Texas A&M, Dr. Masser created an online resource known as AquaPlant (aquaplant.tamu.edu), a website that allows individuals to accurately identify aquatic plants and recommends control measures if needed. This tool is used in aquaculture, fisheries and aquatic resource management. In 2021 alone, over 278,000 unique users viewed over 687,000 web pages at the AquaPlant website.

Additionally, Dr. Masser led the Southern Regional Aquaculture Center publications project for over five years. These publications are primary extension tools covering the full range of aquaculture subjects that have been useful to industry, academia and extension within the southern US, but have also been widely used nationally and internationally.

For over 20 years, he has served on the organizing committees of the Triennial Aquaculture meetings. Finally, Dr. Masser has proudly served as President of the USAS and of WAS. 

One colleague wrote, “There is no question that Michael meets the criteria of having made broad, significant and sustained impacts on U.S. aquaculture.” Another letter of support noted that, “He is an excellent example to our young people who are interested in careers in aquaculture and extension.” Finally, another nominator summarized, “Dr. Masser’s lifelong passion for fishing, managing private waters, and educating the public on aquaculture and aquatic ecology is the very embodiment of this esteemed award.”

Dr. Terry Hanson is an Aquaculture Economist at Auburn University (AU) School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences in Auburn, Alabama. For over thirty-five years, Terry has conducted research on various aspects of fish culture economics, including production cost analysis related to fish nutrition, fish health, water quality, production systems, genetics, and value chain analysis. His worked has focused on catfish, freshwater prawns, crawfish, hybrid striped bass, tilapia, shrimp and baitfish grown in ponds, raceways and recirculating systems.

He discovered aquaculture when he was attended a two-week fishery biology training AU in 1978 before he began his two-year Peace Corps experience in West Africa. There he worked as a fishery biologist and worked with local fishermen in a cooperative. He admired the people, their culture, knowledge and happiness they had in such poor conditions. Terry met the love of his live, Diane, a fellow volunteer there whom he later married. They went to AU in 1982 where Terry received his Master of Science degree in Fisheries and Aquaculture (1984) and a Masters of Agriculture in Production Agriculture (1985). After four years of international work as a Red Cross drought relief specialist and as an Associate Peace Corps Director, they returned to AU where he worked in international aquaculture development and in 1998 obtained his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics and Natural Resource Economics. He enjoyed his educational years at AU and met amazing folks like Len Lovshin, Tom Popma, Upton Hatch, Howard Clonts and Curtis Jolly. They liked him enough to bring him in on many exciting aquaculture grants. 

From 1998-2008 he conducted economic research, teaching and extension activities related to catfish, hybrid striped bass, freshwater prawn, crayfish and marine shrimp industries at Mississippi State University in the Agricultural Economics Department. It was here that he developed a lasting relationship with many superb researchers and extension folks, such as Drs. Lou D’Abramo, Jimmy Avery, Jim Steeby, Craig Tucker, Ed Robinson, John Hargreaves, and Keith Coble. Together, we investigated many aquaculture issues of the day in the US farm-raised catfish industry, such as economic evaluation of catfish modular production systems, off flavor prevention, Trematode Bolbophorus infection mitigation, market studies of aquaculture species, and quantifying the effects of imported fish on the US farm-raised catfish industry. We conducted two Trade Adjustment Assistance programs for catfish producers after imports had negatively affected their livelihoods. He may good friends with many catfish farmers and leaders in their catfish farming associations. A large USDA Risk Management Agency grant was obtained during this period that led to a five-year study of risks affecting the catfish, salmon, trout and baitfish industries and development of insurance policies for the industry.  

From 2008 to present, he has conducted research and extension activities at Auburn University in the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences. It was here that he teamed up with many leading scientists, such as Allen Davis, Claude Boyd, Rex Dunham, Cova Arias, Luke Roy, Ben Beck, and superb extension leaders such as John Jensen and Jesse Chappell. These years were productive with efforts to improve the US farm-raised catfish industry through an innovative Pond-to-Plate project that sought to reduce wastes and improve efficiency using LEAN manufacturing techniques across the value stream. Many grants ensued that allowed work on industry issues and my economic input on projects involving yield verification, off-flavor/yellow fillet mitigation, fish health-disease reduction, feed trials, genetic improvement, new production systems and integrated fish-vegetable aquaponic systems.

During his career, Terry has been involved in publishing over 75 peer reviewed journal articles, 14 book chapters, 120+ scientific abstracts, 280+ scientific/professional presentations, 300+ presentations to industry groups, associations, extension meetings and popular press articles. He has conducted 45+ Extension workshops and produced 14 educational videos, one with over 187 thousand hits as measured by Google Analytics. Terry knows that his career achievements have been built upon the many mentors he has had and to graduate students who he enjoys helping get started in their careers. 

As a child, William (Bill) Lee Shelton kept animals (much to his mother’s chagrin!), raised bees, and spent many happy hours in the woods. Bill was the first in his family to go to college. He earned a B.S. and M.S. at Oklahoma State University, then earned a Ph.D. in fisheries and aquaculture at the University of Oklahoma. He was a professor at Auburn University, then the University of Oklahoma, mentoring 48 graduate students. He also spent several years training Peace Corps students, where he met his wife, Kiki Hiott, herself a Peace Corps trainer and research scientist. Bill published more than 140 research papers and he traveled to consult in fisheries or train students in at least 15 different countries. He was extremely interactive and outgoing with colleagues in the USA and abroad, and at his home lab in Oklahoma he hosted many visiting scientists from countries worldwide for research and networking.

Bill Shelton received a Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the US Aquaculture Society in 2019, and was active in WAS, including co-organizing a 2009 Paddlefish Symposium, serving on the Aquaculture Scientific Advisory Panel from 2003 to 2014, serving as liaison from WAS to the American Fisheries Society, and serving as organizer and session chair in aquaculture at 2004 and 2009 meetings.

Bill also was active in the American Fisheries Society, was an AFS Fellow, a 50-year Gold Member of AFS, and President of the Fish Culture Section in 2002-2003. He was editor of the Progresive Fish-Culturist and the North American Journal of Aquaculture (1995-2009), and editor of the North American Journal of Fisheries Management (1990-1992). He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Chapter of AFS in 2016,

Bill’s research in fisheries and aquaculture was wide-ranging but emphasized early life stages or production of many species (gars, shads, paddlefish, sturgeons, Asian carps, catfishes, striped bass and tilapia, among others). He collaborated with scientists from all over the world, including colleagues at Kentucky State University, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife and Idaho Department of Fish and Game. For two decades, Bill collaborated with Dr. Shmuel Rothbard at Kibbutz Gan Shmuel in Israel. In 2015, Bill worked for a year at the University of South Bohemia’s Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters in Vodnany, Czech Republic.

Bill’s research addressed topics ranging from sex control, sex reversal and sperm motility as potential tools in management of wild fish stocks, to development of technologies for the culture of paddlefish, including reproduction through artificial propagation, nursing of juveniles, and grow-out for commercial production, to ploidy manipulation, sperm physiology, cryopreservation and minimally invasive surgical technique, to general fishery biology, particularly reservoir and large river fisheries, with emphasis on evaluation of sampling techniques, predator/prey and growth relationships. He developed a steroid delivery technique through intra-peritoneal implants, making possible sex reversal in fish for which feeding hormone-contained diet is not an option. His collaborative experiments at Kentucky State University confirmed production of gynogenetic paddlefish. He and colleagues at Vodnany later developed a method for collecting oocytes from female paddlefish without killing them, obtained information about sperm quality and quantity, and developed technology for the storage of sperm. In 2019 he coauthored a chapter “Sex Control and Chromosome Manipulation in Cyprinidae: Common Carp and Grass Carp,” in which he summarized his longtime work with grass carp. In his last research until the time of his passing, Bill had been working with colleagues from Idaho and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife on a common carp feminization project, toward a goal of building a YY-chromosome carp.

In addition to his lifelong career in fisheries research, Bill was a veteran of the US Air Force, first as an enlisted Air Evacuation Technician, then as a pilot with the rank of Captain. He flew C-97s and C-124s across the Pacific, moving cargo in and out of Vietnam during the war. He also leaves behind many close friends and colleagues. His warmth as a person and his input to fisheries will be greatly missed!  

Excerpt from: "Obituary - William L. Shelton, 1939-2021" by William J. Matthews, Edie Marsh-Matthews and Ana (Kiki) Hiott; Dec. 16, 2021; World Aquaculture Society 

With 275 peer-reviewed publications, 50 articles, 20+ book chapters and 4 books published, Dr. Gatlin has contributed quite the multiplier effect through his mentoring of over 60 graduate students. Many of these students have excelled in the field of aquaculture through higher education, industry and government agencies both nationally and internationally.

He personified and instilled in his student that hard work was intrinsically virtuous and to always value the contribution of others, for the integrity with which research is conducted, defines how others will value the results.

Dr. Craig Tucker received his undergraduate degree in Zoology from Humboldt State University (CA) and his Masters in Fisheries and Ph.D. in Microbiology from Auburn University, followed by a post-doc at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.  Craig started his career at the Delta Branch Experiment Station (Stoneville, MS); he was the first scientist employed in the aquaculture research program at Stoneville; he’s still in Stoneville, but moved down the hall (literally a few hundred feet) to work with the USDA/ARS.  He has served as Director of the MS State program, the SRAC program and the USDA/ARS program.  

His research interests have evolved over the years, and now include developing new pond-based production systems, environmental management practices for pond aquaculture, and control of pre-harvest off-flavors in pond-grown fish.  He is known around the world because of his expertise in so many areas.  

Craig has authored or coauthored books, refereed journal articles, popular articles, extension publications, etc., etc.  He also kept busy as editor or associate editor of several journals.  With all this knowledge of what it takes to make a good journal article, he has received many journal honors for writing or co-authoring scientific papers.

Most recently he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Humboldt State University (2018), the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Auburn University College of Agriculture (2017) and is a Fellow of the WAS (2017), its highest honor.  

Dr. Les Torrans received his undergraduate degree in Fisheries Biology from Michigan State University and his doctorate in Zoology from University of Oklahoma.  He has worked in the Peace Corps, on commercial catfish farms, and on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

He was Director at the USFWS, Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory (AL) and joined the USDA Agricultural Research Service 20 years ago (Stoneville, MS).  He has served as a consultant for FAO and USAID for aquaculture projects in 21 countries in Africa and Asia.

Les is regarded as one of the nation’s preeminent specialists in oxygen physiology and aeration in fish culture, and his research in those subject areas profoundly impacted catfish hatchery and pond management.  In short, his work changed the way catfish are grown, with significant increases in productivity and production efficiency.

He has received numerous catfish industry and national awards for his research and technology transfer.  He was co-author on a paper named “best paper of 2014" in World Aquaculture and has published hundreds of scientific papers.  He is also an award-winning photographer, with much of his work reflecting the beauty of aquaculture.  

Dr. Jim Tidwell received his his Ph.D. in Aquaculture from Mississippi State University.  After graduation in 1987, he moved his family to Frankfort, KY and set about to develop a very strong aquaculture program at Kentucky State University which has expanded exponentially, developing new areas of research, undergraduate degrees, and gained accreditation for a Master’s degree program in 1999 under his direction.  

Jim’s research interests include many areas of aquaculture, but he has 2 notable areas in particular: freshwater shrimp and largemouth bass.  His freshwater shrimp research demonstrated that they have superior growth and reduced cannibalism in cooler waters (KY vs. MS) because of delayed sexual maturation.  This research led to development of an industry in KY, IL, OH and other surrounding states and a co-authored book on their culture. 

He also started a program on largemouth bass culture and has a comprehensive book coming out soon.  Much of his research has been nutritional but included environmental constraints and other factors affecting production.  His research has spawned an industry forlargemouth bass in KY and other places.

Most importantly, he has been a great mentor to students and colleagues.  Oh, and by the way, Jim has also been heavily involved in both USAS and WAS serving on many committees and ultimately President of each Society.

With a rare vision for the future, an undying passion for good science and innovation and a sound business compass, Dr. Tom Zeigler has been a pioneer and a leader in the development of US commercial aquaculture since the 1960s. After completing a Ph.D. from Cornell University in Animal Nutrition, Biochemistry and Veterinary Pathology, Tom joined the family business, taking over as President of Zeigler Bros. Inc. in 1967. He led the company from being a local manufacturer of farm animal feeds to an internationally recognized producer and distributor of aquaculture feeds and other specialty animal feeds.

He created and led the research effort that found, researched, manufactured, marketed and in the end sold the technology and company associated with ascorbyl-2-tripolyphosphate, a novel, patented, and stable form of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The commercialization of stable vitamin C technology had a highly significant impact on the industry, improving the performance of aquafeeds and improving formulation efficiencies. 

Dr. Zeigler has been a key player in the development of super-intensive shrimp aquaculture technologies and high-quality finfish feeds for a wide variety of species, further contributing to the development and growth of domestic aquaculture. At the same time, he led marketing efforts that created jobs and grew the company’s export and licensing business for aquaculture products and technologies, eventually resulting in being recognized as small business exporter of the year by the US Department of Commerce. As author or co-author of 19 scientific publications, and over 35 presentations by invitation, he has served as officer/director of eight scientific and/or trade associations, including President of the US Aquaculture Suppliers Association. 

Dr. Zeigler developed, formulated and marketed numerous unique feeds and supplements for exotic and endangered animals leading efforts to reduce dependence on live or fresh frozen feeds for aquaculture. Tom has been one of the most familiar faces of US aquaculture for many decades. A vast network of current and former employees, collaborators, colleagues, and customers all consider him as a true friend. As a man of great intellect, rare integrity and indominable spirit, his mission for over 50 years has been to build value to life through innovative nutrition.

After beginning his career working on an offshore lobster boat, Sebastian Belle now holds the position of Executive Director of the Maine Aquaculture Association. He holds degrees in fisheries biology and agricultural economics. Mr. Belle was project manager of the Bluefin Tuna Project at the New England Aquarium in Boston. Before joining the aquarium, Sebastian was operations manager for Connors Aquaculture Inc. in Eastport, Maine, one of the largest Atlantic salmon farms in the United States. He served as a technical consultant on over 20 major commercial aquaculture ventures for investment groups in Europe, and North and South America. Before returning to North America in 1989, he spent four years managing a commercial scale aquaculture research and development foundation in Norway.

Sebastian has served as the state aquaculture coordinator, working for the Maine Department of Marine Resources. He also has his own consulting firm and works with another firm specializing in aquaculture farm management, financial due diligence, and risk analysis and control. He has also worked with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Coalition for US Seafood Production, the International Salmon Farmers Association, the World Wildlife Federation’s Salmon Dialogues, the National Organic Standards Board, the Soy Aquaculture Alliance, the USDA Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center and the Working Waterfront Coalition.

He more recently worked with the Maine Legislature and Department of Marine Resources to create the regulatory rules to allow for seaweed farming in Maine. There are now six commercial kelp farms in Maine and two in Massachusetts, creating jobs in coastal communities, a direct result of Sebastian’s hard work on the industry’s behalf.

When asked about the details of his current “emeritus” designation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), where he was employed as a fish nutritionist for more than 14 years, Rick Barrows joked, “What it really means is you don’t get paid but you get to volunteer and help out.”

Many would agree that Barrows has helped aquaculture quite a bit over his career. As the industry undertook a massive initiative to reduce its dependency on marine resources, the aquafeed sector needed to innovate in order to keep fish healthy and nutritious sources of protein, only with less fishmeal and fish oil in their diets. Assistance from government agencies like the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the fish nutrition and physiology work that Barrows headed up were instrumental in achieving progress on that front.

Barrows’ retirement from the USDA became official in August, and he is now building his consulting firm Aquatic Feed Technologies to carry on the work he did with ARS. The Advocate caught up with him in November at his home in Bozeman, Montana, and found him still hard at work and looking forward to an F3 Challenge meeting in January, where the “fish free feed” contestants will convene for presentations. The Global Aquaculture Advocate will be reporting from the invite-only meeting.

Excerpt from: "Aquaculture Exchange: Rick Barrows - Fish nutritionist speaks on the importance of finding ‘complete’ and viable alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids" by James Wright; 5 December 2016; Global Seafood Alliance. 

In an emotional moment during the plenary at Aquaculture America, USAS President Kathleen Hartman presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to Douglas Drennan, accepted by Catherine, Doug's widow. and their three children, to extended applause and a standing ovation from the assembly. Douglas received a Master's degree from Mississippi State University, worked as the aquaculture specialist for Mississippi Delta Community College and then for the Civil Engineering Aquatic Systems Laboratory at Louisiana State University. In 1995, he founded Aquaculture Systems Technologies, LLC. Until the time of his death, he served as Managing Member and President of Aquaculture Systems Technologies, LLC. He had a long-term commitment to the aquaculture industry, especially on the suppliers' side. He promoted aquaculture as a teaching tool to secondary and vocational schools and worked closely with several schools in the New Orleans area. He authored several peer-reviewed publications and numerous conference papers and presented scientific papers at national and international conferences. He has been a member of WAS since 1987 and served as Vice-President of the U.S. Aquaculture Society in 2002, Director in 2003 and 2004, and became President-Elect n 2008, President in 2009 and Immediate Past-President in 2010. Since then, he served as an industry liaison and coordinated student trips to the annual meetings. He was also a member of the American Tilapia Association and the Aquacultural Engineering Society. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the U.S. Aquaculture Suppliers Association in 1997 and was serving his final year as President of that organization at the time of his untimely passing. In 1998, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Aquaculture Association and was serving his second term on the board when he died. As a member of the NAA board of directors, he twice served as chairman of the Auction Committee and was the chairman of the Research and Product Development Committee. He also served as a member of the WAS Long Range Planning Committee from 1999 until his passing. 

Dr. Jenson has been active in fisheries and aquaculture since 1970, first as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador, to several university posts, and then on to the USDA. He was appointed in 2010 to serve as chair of the federal Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture. Gary's work and dedication to US aquaculture exemplifies commitment and passion.

For more than 20 years Ted Batterson has energetically supported aquaculture development in Michigan, the North Central Region, and the U.S. He has been an active member in a number of professional aquaculture organizations including the World Aquaculture Society, United States Aquaculture Society, Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society and the Michigan Aquaculture Association. In 1997, he was received a Leadership Award from the Michigan Aquaculture Association for outstanding service, leadership and promotion for aquaculture in the state. Through exceptional personal effort and initiative for over 20 years, he has directed a nationally respected research program that has supported a diverse array of topics and has never lost sight of the need to connect re search to stakeholders.

The level of organization with which he managed the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center (NCRAC) pays testament to his driven personality. His talent for building effective collaborations among a variety of academic, federal and aquaculture industry personnel allowed the NCRAC to leverage its limited funding and help maintain the fledgling Midwestern aquaculture community against long odds. He was an administrator who exhibited a rare combination of research intellect and real-world understanding. He was a skillful consensus builder, with the ability to turn a broad vision into a set of ambitious but achievable goals. He has provided the leadership in building the team responsible for molding the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center into a successful and well-recognized program. He was responsible for developing much of the original vision for the NCRAC and is commended for his wisdom in relying on and involving his colleagues and co-workers to assist him in making the vision a reality. These characteristics have translated into a positive impact on the continued development of the aquaculture industry in the Midwest over the past two decades.

His dedication to US aquaculture can also be demonstrated by his participation on countless panels and review committees as well as his service to numerous professional organizations and workgroups. While serving as USAS President his plan for USAS was forward thinking and methodical and the policy and procedures that he outlined for awards, as well as the roadmap he co-developed through the Five-Year Strategic Plan, will allow the Society to not only maintain the status quo but to advance in a way that benefits not only the US Chapter but the entirety of US aquaculture through the goals and benchmarks that he defined for both.

One of his greatest legacies is the growing list of professionals on whom he has left his mark. They have learned many things from Ted, not least of these is the power of process and group consensus on the development of effective research and extension aquaculture programs in the Midwest.

Dr. Bill Simco's entire professional career was spent as a faculty member at the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University) in Tennessee USA where he worked since 1966. He has been characterized as conducting research that has been timely or even prophetic. He also spent a summer working together with Robert Stickney at the federal government fish research laboratory in Stuttgart, Arkansas during a summer in the late 1960s. 

Bill made many significant contributions to aquaculture through his research and has mentored a number of graduate students who have also gone on to successful careers in the aquaculture field including in private industry, government, and academia. He and his colleagues conducted pioneering work on recirculating systems, nitrite toxicosis, stress, and sex manipulation. All this while working at a non-land grant university. 

Dr. John Jensen has served on numerous local, state  and national committees including serving as co-chairman of the former Alabama Fish Farming Conference.  He has also been  involved in meetings and/or served on committees with commodity groups,  industry leaders, legislators and congressmen, government agencies, major  corporations and agribusiness representatives.  

 John's enthusiastic personality, his  ability to communicate and his uncanny diplomacy without a doubt has led  him to earn the respect of not only his peers in the aquaculture community but  also his constituency. John has a distinct vision of the future and a unique  ability to get things done. One example would be the development of the  Alabama Aquaculture Plan. Another would be the Alabama Quality Assurance  Program, a microbial testing program for Alabama catfish processors to ensure  the consumers with a safe and wholesome product. Dr. Jensen takes  aquaculture seriously.  

 While Extension Fisheries Specialist and Department Head of Fisheries  and Allied Aquaculture at Auburn University, John’s commitment to serving  the aquaculture industry was exemplary. John’s role as interim Dean, College  of Agriculture and now as Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture,  Auburn University, further highlights his abilities, talents and commitment to  agriculture in general.