Promoting Aquaculture Literacy — A Shared Responsibility
Greetings. I hope that 2025 is off to a good start for each of you. I was fortunate to be able to at...
December 02, 2025
Redefining Leadership and Celebrating Achievements: A Look Ahead
If I’m being honest, writing this President’s column for the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) Magazine isn’t my favorite task. That might surprise those of you who know me as someone who’s never been shy about sharing opinions on just about anything. Don’t get me wrong—I deeply appreciate the honor of authoring this column. Serving as your President of the World Aquaculture Society is a privilege I am incredibly proud of, and I still pinch myself when I think about being elected to this leadership position. But writing this column is challenging: imposter syndrome often creeps in, fueled by the fear of disappointing the membership that entrusted me with this role. Especially when I read the eloquent articles written by past WAS Presidents and I’m struck by how skillfully they address globally relevant industry issues and propose solutions to tackle them in this column. It’s a high bar to meet.
While I may not be the most qualified person to wax poetic on critical industry topics like escaped species, climate change, economic and social hurdles, market competition, or regulatory challenges, I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to do it alone. The true strength of WAS lies in its diverse network of members—individuals whose collective expertise and efforts drive meaningful change in aquaculture. Together, we are far more powerful than any single voice.
On October 15, the World Aquaculture Society’s voice was recognized for its technical leadership, innovation, collaboration, and best practices in advancing sustainable agrifood systems by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This prestigious award is a testament to the incredible work of our members and the Society’s role as a global leader in sustainable aquaculture development. It was a proud moment for all of us, and it reinforced the importance of the collective efforts of our members in driving meaningful change.
Sitting on stage in Hyderabad, India on November 10, with keynote speakers and global aquaculture changemakers, Dr. Manuel Barange, Assistant Director General of FAO, and Dr. M. Vijay Gupta, retired Assistant Director General of the WorldFish Center, I had to pinch myself again when I was invited to light the lamp to open the Chapter meeting for the WAS Asian Pacific Chapter. This meeting not only highlighted the remarkable aquaculture growth in the region but also showcased the adaptability of the WAS Conference Staff and Program Planning Committees after the event’s relocation to India earlier this year. The prosperity represented by the symbolic silver elephants presented at the meeting was clear.
Looking ahead, future opportunities to bring together professionals from across the aquaculture industry to share knowledge, network, and collaborate will include the US Chapter Meeting at Aquaculture America in Las Vegas, Nevada, February 16-19, 2025, which will host the WAS Board midyear meeting, and the World Aquaculture Singapore meeting on June 2-5, 2026 where the WAS Board and Officers for 2026-2027 will be appointed and the new strategic plan implemented. I hope to see many of you there as we continue together to grow WAS and advance the field of aquaculture.
Regarding your current WAS Board leadership activities, the Board is currently working hard this quarter on several important initiatives including:
- Soliciting nominations for WAS Board and Officers (Deadline: December 15)
- Finalizing the timeline and publishing the first call for WAS Honors and Awards to be presented at World Aquaculture in Singapore,
- Updating and clarifying the WAS policy, rules, and regulations document, and
- Developing the WAS 2025-2030 strategic plan.
These efforts will serve as a roadmap to guide the Society’s priorities and initiatives over the next few years, ensuring that we continue to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in aquaculture. I encourage all members to stay involved through submitting nominations, volunteering for WAS committee service, and engaging on WAS social media platforms to share their perspectives as we shape the future of WAS together. Your input is invaluable in ensuring that the future WAS reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our global community.
As I reflect on these recent milestones and current Board activities, and look forward to our future events, I am comforted by the fact that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about fostering a community where diverse perspectives and expertise can thrive. WAS is a shining example of what can be accomplished when we work together toward a shared vision. Together we can continue to drive meaningful change in aquaculture.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to the World Aquaculture Society. I am grateful to be part of this collective journey and look forward to continuing to serve you in the months ahead. Warmest regards,
— Wendy Sealey, President, World Aquaculture Society
About Wendy Sealey
Wendy has been a nutritionist with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) since 2021 and held a similar position with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, also in Bozeman, Montana for 11 years prior. Her aquaculture career started in Auburn, Alabama where, while pursuing her degrees, she worked at the co-located ARS Fish health lab developing vaccines for channel catfish, graduating in 1994 (B.S.) and 1996 (M.S.). After leaving Auburn, she completed aquaculture research fellowships in Stoneville, Mississippi and Kagoshima, Japan before pursuing her Ph.D. in Nutrition at Texas A&M (2000). Wendy’s first job post-Ph.D. was for the North Central Regional Aquaculture Center where she provided extension support to the 12-state region. Wendy subsequently returned to research as a Post-Doc at the University of Arkansas Medical Science.
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