President’s column, Dr. Matt Parker
Hello USAS/WAS Members,
I had thought by this point in 2020 the US would be well on its way to minimizing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you all know, the US looks to be experiencing a third peak in COVID-19 infections. I wish I had a crystal ball to look in, to know when the pandemic will end and everyone’s lives (and businesses) could get back to our 'new' kind of normal. Keep on persevering as there is light at the end of the tunnel! I hope that further impacts to our industry will be minimized as we go through winter and into spring 2021.
Following up on the 2019 USAS sponsored meeting in Washington DC - US Aquaculture: Our Sustainable Food Solution, USAS recently hosted a virtual meeting in this series entitled US Aquaculture: Economic Recovery Through Aquaculture, targeting US Congressional Staffers and others with Federal aquaculture responsibilities. The virtual meeting featured an update on the US Aquaculture Development Plan, information about Aquaculture Development Plans in Norway and Canada, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the US aquaculture industry, and needs of the US Aquaculture Industry for continued growth. The virtual meeting was recorded and can be accessed on the USAS YouTube Channel; a summary document is being prepared and will be available on the USAS Website soon.
You should have received word by now that Aquaculture America 2021 was postponed until August 2021. As a result, all abstract submission, registrations deadlines, and award nominations have also been extended. I am hopeful that this postponement will allow us to have a successful in-person meeting. Pending any further COVID-19 related issues, USAS is still planning to hold two pre-conference workshops. While subject matter may change given the availability of instructors, we currently plan to hold the popular Statistics in Aquaculture and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems workshops. Our Student Activities Committee is also trying to plan activities for students, should we be able to meet in person in San Antonio. Finalizing these activities will be dependent on if planned student activities can be held in accordance with proper social distancing regulations.
Earlier this year, I appointed Dr. Eric Saillant, faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi, to lead an ad-hoc USAS Committee on Diversity. This Committee plans to send a survey to USAS members so we can learn more about diversity in our Society. They also plan to organize a session on "Diversity in Aquaculture" at Aquaculture America 2021. I hope the information gathered with these actions will help our Society ensure a welcoming atmosphere for everyone interested in aquaculture. When you receive an email requesting participation in the survey, I encourage you to complete it. All responses will remain anonymous unless you choose to have someone from the Committee contact you.
USAS is also planning for our Annual Business Meeting as required in our By-Laws. While the meeting date has not yet been set, we expect the meeting to be held virtually in February 2021. All USAS members will receive information via email to register for the Annual Business Meeting. Hosting the meeting virtually will allow us to install our new Officers.
During our November USAS Board conference call, it was brought to Board’s attention that some students may be required to present research at a national meeting to meet graduation and/or grant requirements. The USAS Board wants to be supportive of its student members and is exploring the idea of hosting a virtual national student colloquium sometime in the spring to give student members the opportunity to present their research before they graduate. Please watch for additional announcements as this idea is more fully developed.
I have been impressed by our Webinar Committee, that has hosted a monthly aquaculture-related webinar for all of 2020. With travel restrictions, the Webinar Committee has really stepped up to provide relevant, useful aquaculture information to USAS members. Live attendance of webinars and subsequent views on YouTube have also increased this year. USAS plans to continue hosting webinars and is exploring the idea of webinar-based workshops in the future due to travel restrictions. Please continue to register for the webinars and view past webinars on the USAS YouTube Channel.
Finally, the USAS website (https://usaquaculture.org) and social media channels are getting an overhaul. I hope that the USAS website will be more useful and easier to navigate moving forward. In addition, I encourage everyone to follow the USAS on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usaquasoc) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/USAquaSoc) social media channels. Our Social Media Intern, Marina Rubio Benito (rubi3631@vandals.uidaho.edu), has been doing a fantastic job to increase our social media presence. If you have pictures or ideas for content, please send them her way.
I wish all a happy and safe winter season!
Matt Parker
President - US Aquaculture Society.
