WWW.WA S .ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2022 13 Since first becoming an extension agent, he would spend the next 48 years working on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, fostering the state’s shellfish aquaculture industry. He is currently a regional specialist with the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. Don joined WAS in 1980 and was a charter member of the USAS. In a workshop this past January, Don joked that he was “midcareer.” In some small way, this shows a glimpse of who Don is – a mentor, friend, pioneer, leader, champion and perhaps most of all, a genuinely great human being. One nominator wrote, “I will note that it is not only an impressive career, it is a career that has been freely dedicated to sharing and educating. Don is one of the best examples I can note of an extension agent extraordinaire. He knows his field inside and out – more importantly, he shares his knowledge with all potential users – commercial, academic, students, communities – and does so with enthusiasm.” —Dennis McIntosh Distinguished Service Award – David Cline Some people seem to have a calling and David Cline is one of those people. He is one of the most passionate, animated and dedicated figures in aquaculture extension, specifically aquaculture education. Dave curates arguably the largest aquaculture video resource library on the internet. In fact, there is a good chance that if you have done a Google search for aquaculture educational resources anytime in the last decade or two you have found some of Dave’s work. Moreover, he has led the USAS webinar series since 2016, bringing science-based aquaculture research and education to thousands of people around the world at no cost, evidence of his fitness to receive the USAS Distinguished Service Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding personal contributions to the USAS and/or the US aquaculture industry. The award emphasizes significant leadership and overall impact in research, education, extension or industry development in aquaculture. One of the nominating letters sums up Dave’s body of work very well: “Dave has been actively involved in the commercial and educational sectors of aquaculture for over 25 years. Currently, Dave is an Associate Extension Professor at Auburn University, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, where he specializes in aquaculture education, freshwater fish production, small-scale marketing and pond management. Extension plays a vital role in agriculture and support of rural communities. This is even more so true for aquaculture, aquaculture producers and coastal and rural communities, as well as the entire world. In the US, aquaculture struggles against myths, agenda-ized science and poorly informed consumers. However, Dave has dedicated himself to changing this by improving the understanding and appreciation for aquaculture through extension and education. At a minimum, Dave’s work has touched over a million people through his Aquaculture Education and More YouTube channel, online aquatic education sites, and other social media forums.” Dave continues to support the aquaculture industry through his long history of service to USAS. He has been a member of WAS and USAS since 1993. As a member of USAS, he served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2012-2013, Vice-President from 2014-2015, President-Elect in 2016, President in 2017 and Past-President in 2018. When you think about what it takes to make USAS function, it can be quite intimidating, and Dave has played a substantial role in USAS’s success for the past decade. Dave continues to chair the USAS Aquaculture Education ad hoc committee. Additionally Dave was elected to serve as a member of the WAS Board in 2020 – continuing his commitment to our professional society. As impressive as Dave’s accomplishments and service have been, perhaps one of the most exciting things to note is that is Dave Cline continues to lend his support to USAS and he continues to push for excellence in extension. —Dennis McIntosh Distinguished Early Career Award – Ganesh Kumar Karunakaran The USAS is thrilled to recognize individuals early in their professional careers in US aquaculture with the Distinguished Early Career Award. The Distinguished Early Career Award recognizes an individual who has been involved with US aquaculture for ten years or less. This award recognizes outstanding leadership or innovation in research, education, extension or industry development in aquaculture. This award specifically emphasizes significant personal contributions made to further advance US aquaculture. The USAS presented the Distinguished Early Career Award to Dr. Ganesh Kumar Karunakaran. He is an Assistant Research Professor with Mississippi State University and has quickly become a recognized leader in modern aquaculture economics. Dr. Kumar received his undergraduate degree in Fisheries Science at Kerala Agricultural University, Kochi, India, and Master’s degrees in aquaculture at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education in Mumbai, India and at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. In 2015 he was the recipient of the first doctoral degree ever awarded by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and his dissertation was recognized as the best doctoral dissertation in aquaculture economics by the International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management. His primary research addresses the development, adoption and economics of new production technologies and alternative management practices, but he has worked on a wide range of issues including the economic impacts of disease, vaccines, predation, diet formulations, regulatory costs and the coronavirus disease pandemic. Most of his work focuses on practical, farm-level issues, and his work is appreciated by producers because his research is grounded in production realities. His work has also been used to inform important policy discussions in the US related to aquaculture. Dr. Kumar has published more than 45 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, numerous abstracts and popular papers, and has been awarded more than US$3 million in competitive research grants. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and he has already provided substantial service to the USAS and WAS. — Bill Walton and Craig Tucker David Cline Ganesh Kumar Karunakaran
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