8 SEPTEMBER 2015 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG In Jeju Island, three outstanding WAS members were recognized for their significant contributions to aquaculture. Yoram Avnimelech and Abdel-Fattah El-Sayed received Honorary Life Memberships. This award honors significant career-long services to aquaculture. JeongYeol Lee was recognized as a WAS Fellow. This award recognizes career achievements in aquaculture, as well as extensive service to WAS. Yoram Avnimelech is a Professor Emeritus at Technion - Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. He was a chief scientist of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment. His work has focused on soil science, physical chemistry, and watershed management. Yoram is probably known best for his pioneering work in biofloc technologies for intensive aquaculture systems. This technology was widely adopted by industry, leading to improved environmental sustainability of intensive systems. He has published several versions of his book “Biotech Technology: a Practical Handbook.” They have all sold out. He is a long-term WAS member and former WAS Director on the Board, where he was a very active Chair of the Promotion and Membership Committee. His work initiated a sustained effort to engage new WAS members from under-represented countries such as India and China. Abdel-Fattah El-Sayed is a Professor at Alexandria University in Egypt. He has specialized in fish nutrition research and development for 35 years. He has done extensive work with tilapias, one of the most important groups of foodfish worldwide, and produced a book titled “Tilapia Culture.” His academic work has led to widespread practical and commercial impacts, and he is considered one of the top ten scientists in his field. El-Sayed has also made significant contributions to the development of aquaculture in Egypt, in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through feed development and production systems for use in arid regions. His ultimate goal is to help aquaculture students, researchers, and producers, particularly in developing countries. El-Sayed has been a frequent consultant for FAO and is also a long-term WAS member. Jeong-Yeol Lee is a Professor at Kunsan National University in Korea, and the current Director of the Fish and Fish Culture Research Station. He is also the former Dean of the College of Marine Industrial Technology. His work on the development and implementation of marine aquaculture technologies is considered a high-impact model of research-based Extension in Korea. Lee has mentored more than 20 M.Sc. and Ph.D. students who have assumed important roles in the public and private sectors. He has been very active in professional associations, serving as the President of the Korean Aquaculture Society and the Korean Chapter of WAS. Lee has been a WAS member for 25 years, and had major organizational roles in WAS 2008 in Busan and WAS 2015 in Jeju. Two Honorary Life Members and One Fellow Recognized in Jeju TOP. Yoram Avnimelech BOTTOM. Abdel-Fattah ElSayed NOT PICTURED. Jeong-Yeol Lee countries in the region. This would assure that LACQUA could become economically feasible and still operate in alternative venues periodically. Following this arrangement, LACQUA will take place in the Convention Center of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, during November 16-19, in coordination with FENACAM 2015. Fortaleza is a place in a country of unmatchable beauty and potential. I know we are all conscious that Brazil is destined to greatness and that it is just a matter of time before it becomes a top-tier economy. I am sure that aquaculture will develop widely because water, land, weather, infrastructure and resources are all available in almost optimal quantities and/or quality. In this meeting we will all be able to see these foundations. I would like to say that we did not fail in anything, but we LACC, continued from page 5 continue to fall short in really attracting the membership we should. During this meeting the Board will change and Lorenzo Juarez, will become President of LACC for a two-year term. I will become the Immediate Past President and a new President-Elect, Treasurer and a Director will also join the Board. Do not hesitate to get to know them and enrich our project. I encourage all of you to think of how you can improve LACC and participate. Thank you all for this journey, thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. I am not sure what will happen in the next couple of years but the only thing I can say is that I will keep following my heart and still be involved in aquaculture. I hope I can contribute a little bit to make this a better world but whatever happens, I will be around. See you in WAS. — Antonio Garza de Yta, President
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