WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • JUNE 2013 19 Aquaculture 2013 in Nashville The joint, triennial meeting of the World Aquaculture Society, the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society and the National Shellfisheries Association convened in Nashville, Tennessee in late February under the theme “Strike a Chord for Sustainable Aquaculture,” an appropriate reference to the Music City meeting venue. The Steering Committee was chaired by Jesse Trushenski and the Program Committee led by Sandy Shumway. The fruits of those committees’ labors was a conference with more than 2400 participants from 79 countries providing 1200 oral or poster presentations in 95 sessions over 4 full days. As described by Jesse Trushenski, the program covered everything from “Algae to Zebrafish.” The conference also had a trade show with 140 booths and steady foot-traffic. The plenary got underway with Jim Bowker of the Fish Culture Section of AFS, who made an impassioned appeal for volunteerism, emphasizing the value of such an experience, saying that volunteering to serve a professional society allows demonstration of leadership skills in a supportive environment. He also discussed the difference between the tangible value and benefits of membership in a professional society and the elusive, intrinsic values of membership. WAS President Kevan Main named three new Fellows: Michael Masser, Lou D’Abramo, and Jay Parsons. A Fellow is defined as “a member who has made outstanding achievements in aquaculture science, industry, outreach or extension as recognized by his/her peers.” President Main also presented the Honorary Life Award to a surprised Hillary Egna (see page 16). John and Mary Cooksey received a standing ovation when President Main presented the Exemplary Service Award on behalf of a grateful Society. Craig Browdy of Novus International awarded a stipend to the winner of the 2012 Novus – World Aquaculture Society Internship Challenge, João Manuel Cura Rito of the University of Coimbra, Portugal. In turn, USAS President Gary Fornshell presented the Distinguished Service Award to Craig Browdy and the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award to Drew Mitchell. The David H. Wallace Award was presented to Kevin Stokesbury by National Sellfisheries Association President Leroy Creswell. Mike Freeze of the National Aquaculture Association presented the Joseph P. McCraren Award for distinguished lifetime contributions to the aquaculture industry to catfish pioneer and innovator Leo Ray. The plenary address was provided by Edward Allison of the University of East Anglia, who discussed “Aquaculture in a Changing Climate.” He suggested that there are three complementary strategies for global aquaculture to deal with climate change: 1) reduce exposure to hazards, primarily through technical solutions or relocation, 2) reduce sensitivity to climate change by increasing the tolerance of species to more extreme conditions through breeding and 3) increase adaptive capacity through forecasting and early warning systems. Look for an article on this topic in a future issue of World Aquaculture. The technical program was solid, with all the essential and regular sessions expected of a WAS conference. Sessions in the big rooms were well attended, including a multiday shrimp program with separate sessions on nutrition, production, disease and health, genetics, biofloc technology, and indoor systems. The other large multi-day program was on aquaculture engineering, including sessions on aquaponics and denitrification. Sessions on IMTA and modeling rounded out sessions in the big rooms. The program was no less dynamic in the smaller rooms. The Fish Culture Section of AFS organized their usual session on insights from fish physiology. With NSA involved, there were multiple shellfish sessions. Single-species sessions included catfish and hybrid catfish, baitfish, tilapia, sturgeon and paddlefish, percids, freshwater prawns, flatfish, tuna and ornamentals. There were sessions on nutrition, disease (including one on sea lice), genetics, economics and water quality. There were formal opportunities to engage US federal government agency officials, including regulators and policy makers, at the always lively “Town Hall” and a session on organic aquaculture. After a long delay, officials of the National Organic Program pledged action to give impetus to the complicated process of regulatory approval. A session on certification featured participation by representatives of all the major aquaculture seafood certification programs. My favorite sessions to attend these last few years have been about aquaculture “pioneers” and history. The experiences related by speakers was rich and broad, the wisdom imparted unassailable, and the stories fascinating. Having worked in his lab, Drew Mitchell presented a terrific presentation on the life and work of fish disease pioneer Stanislas Snieszko, speaking with emotion about his accomplishments and humanity. WAS Past-Presidents James Avault, Paul Sandifer, Dave Aiken, Dan Fegan, and Kevin Fitzsimmons also made presentations in the history session. All in all, Aquaculture 2013 was a solid WAS conference. Participants exploited the numerous opportunities provided for networking and informal discussion. Social events were complemented by close proximity to the heart of the downtown Nashville entertainment district, where conference attendees could be found sampling the ample musical offerings most evenings. — John Hargreaves, Editor-in-Chief ABOVE: Full representation of the Cooksey extended family plus Mario Stael. Photo: Joe Tomasso.
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