World Aquaculture December 2018

30 DECEMBER 2018 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WA S.ORG James W. Avault, Jr., 1975-1976 I served as the first secretary/treasurer of the WMS, elected in 1970. Special sessions were held at conferences, resulting in proceedings. All papers presented at the annual meetings were peer reviewed. I served as editor of the proceedings for the first 16 years. I used the proceedings as a place to record the archives of the WMS. For the first 16 years of the Society, the archives are well documented. Along the way I was told by some that they would like me to serve as president but I declined to be considered. I had a full-time job. Then, at the annual conference in South Carolina in 1974, the meeting was about to close when someone in the audience said that we had not elected a new president. A long silence. Buck Byrd, then Director of Wildlife and Fisheries for Alabama, was sitting next to me. I nudged Buck and said “Buck, nominate me (for president).” He did and then someone raised a hand and said, “I second the motion,” followed by a third who said, “I move that nominations cease.” That’s how I became president. Paul Sandifer, 1979-1980 My initial exposure to the World Mariculture Society was the 1973 annual meeting held in Monterrey, Mexico. This was not only my introduction to the Society, it was also my first trip outside the U.S. and the first meeting of the Society outside the U.S. The conference was truly an eye-opening experience. I was completing my first year as an Assistant Marine Scientist for the Marine Resources Division of what was is now the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and had been given responsibility for developing its aquaculture research program. I was immediately hooked and have been a WAS member ever since. The following year, I had the pleasure of being part of the South Carolina organizing committee for the first annual meeting held in Charleston, SC. Shortly thereafter, with the encouragement (better described as a kick in the pants) frommy boss’s boss, Dr. Jim Timmerman, and Louisiana’s legendary Dr. Ted Ford, and being young, foolish and idealistic, I started up the officer ladder for the Society, serving first as Secretary-Treasurer (1975), then as Secretary (1976) and President (1979). It was also my honor to serve on numerous committees and to have a major role in organizing Charleston’s second time to host the Society (1982). I presided over the 11th annual WMS meeting held in New Orleans in 1980. This was only the second time that the WMS had met with other aquaculture organizations. At this conference, the WMS, the Catfish Farmers of America, the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society, and the U.S. Trout Farmers Association met together. We were also joined by the mid-year Board meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association and had a technical session sponsored by the aquaculture engineering committee of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. Although still technically the WMS, the Society was rapidly becoming a powerhouse aquaculture organization. Sometime during those relatively early years of the Society, the Board considered an initial proposal to change the name fromWMS Reflections of WAS Past-Presidents to WAS. I remember arguing vehemently against this from the floor at the business meeting, based on my feeling that marine aquaculture needed its own home. Was I ever wrong —what we needed was an international technical organization that would provide an umbrella for all forms of aquaculture. Thankfully, wiser heads than mine prevailed and the name change was eventually made. While there are a number of things about the years involved in governance of the Society of which I am proud, the most significant and long-lasting was establishment of a permanent, professional Home Office for the Society during my term. This decision was based on the need for continuity in basic services and to ensure professional management of the growing organization going forward. Prior to this time, the Society’s base of operations moved around with its President. We conducted an open, competitive process that attracted several good proposals and based on review of these proposals, LSU was chosen. Today, WAS has become the world’s powerhouse technical organization for aquaculture in its myriad forms and the WAS Home Office serves a truly global clientele. W. Guthrie Perry, Jr., 1981-1982 It’s amazing how unplanned events that are meant-to-be develop. One afternoon in January 1969, I received a call to attend a gathering of pond culturists at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Marine Research Laboratory. Dr. Ted Ford and staff and Mr. Frank Ritchie of the Louisiana Land and Exploration Company were hosting a gathering to discuss brackishwater pond culture projects and challenges. During these presentations it was suggested that meetings such as this should continue and a platform be developed. Several pioneer members took this to heart and a second meeting was held September 9, 1969 at the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The World Mariculture Society evolved. Over time, I saw the Society grow as affiliates were added, beginning in 1975. Like any world organization there were growing pains and around 1980, some groups felt the Society was not truly a world organization. They were considering splitting off from the parent Society, a problem that could not be solved overnight. Taking a step back to let things cool during my 1981 term as President, and with much support from the Board and help from various committees, we organized two annual meetings the same year: one in the United States and one in Europe. The one in the USA was held together with the North American Oyster Workshop in Seattle, Washington. In Europe, working closely with Martin Bilio and Guido Persoone, the historic 1981 World Conference on Aquaculture was held in conjunction with the European Mariculture Society in Venice, Italy. I appreciate the honor of serving in the development of the Society and association with many legends in aquaculture. It’s a special feeling when I now see the many seafood items listed as “farm raised.” Today the WAS is on solid ground. George S. Lockwood, 1982-1983 This was a busy year for the WAS board and leadership. We