World Aquaculture 3 President’s column As with any new President, it is with a great degree of honor and pride that I take the helm of the World Aquaculture Society. The society has just completed another successful Triennial meeting with our partners from the National Shellfisheries Association and the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society. The meeting was financially successful, as well as scientifically rewarding, with one of the largest programs ever presented during the Triennial events. There was a total of 2,549 participants (1,687 conference delegates and 862 trade show attendees). As well, there were 172 trade show booths, 91 sessions and 1,217 abstracts. I want to acknowledge the excellent job and offer my thanks to John Cooksey and team and the members of the Triennial program and steering committees. The society continues to be a very stable organization in terms of our finances, membership, services and products that we offer (web site, journal, magazine, books, conferences, etc.). However, while WAS is on a solid footing, that does not mean we should rest on our laurels. There continue to be exciting challenges in terms of the research needs to support the ongoing development of the aquaculture sector worldwide in ensuring that it grows in a responsible manner. And, the WAS has an important role to play in providing forums and vehicles for the discussion and communication of leading edge research and technology. The WAS Board of Directors has also been active in ensuring that the society continues to grow and be a globally representative organization. We will continue our efforts this year to promote and expand WAS membership in all parts of the world and to offer opportunities to hold regional conferences in areas where we previously have not met. One additional initiative that was officially launched in the last issue of the World Aquaculture Magazine is the establishment of the “Fellows of the World Aquaculture Society Program.” Fellows of the World Aquaculture Society will be individuals “who have made outstanding achievements in aquaculture science, industry, outreach or extension as recognized by their peers.” A Fellow of the World Aquaculture Society program will bring a greater level of recognition to Fellows and respectability to the World Aquaculture Society. Fellows of the World Aquaculture Society will also serve as distinguished colleagues to whom the World Aquaculture Society and its members can look for guidance as global aquaculture evolves. The World Aquaculture Society presently offers Honorary Life Membership to distinguished persons, and the Board of Directors wish to keep the current Honorary Life Membership intact as the highest recognition of the Society. The new Fellows award seeks to distinguish itself from our other awards by creating a category of recognition to the many aquaculture professionals spread throughout the world who have contributed to developing aquaculture as members of the World Aquaculture Society. We have recently sent an e-mail to all members encouraging you to submit a nomination and I do so again. Further information on this program can be found on our WAS web site at www.was.org. During my term of office, I am also committed to building our membership, further engaging students in our organization and completing and implementing our new strategic plan. I will elaborate on these topics in future editions of this column. And during my term as president, I welcome comments and feedback for any initiative or idea that you might have that will collectively allow us to continue to grow the society. Please contact me at Jay.Parsons@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. — Jay Parsons, PhD. President
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