Two faculty members in the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences were recently recognized at the World Aquaculture Society conference in San Diego.
Professor Terry Hanson, a 35-year veteran of aquaculture economics research and extension, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. Cline, associate professor and aquaculture extension specialist, received the society’s Distinguished Service Award.
Both awards recognize contributions and broad impacts to the U.S. aquaculture industry though significant and enduring leadership in research, education, extension and industry development of aquaculture.
“The School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences has long recognized the valuable contributions made by Drs. Hanson and Cline,” said Joseph Tomasso, professor and director of School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences. “We are very happy to see that they are now nationally recognized by the United States chapter of the World Aquaculture Society.”
The World Aquaculture Society’s conference is part of the Triennial, which combines the annual meetings of the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society, World Aquaculture Society, National Shellfisheries Association, and the National Aquaculture Association. This event, held Feb. 28 through March 4, brings together nearly 4,000 aquaculture scientists, practitioners, extension specialists and students for the largest aquaculture meeting in the world every three years.
Hanson has published more than 85 journal and 14 book chapters, offered almost 500 combined scientific, industry, extension and professional association presentations, conducted 48 extension workshops, and almost $19 million in grants in the last 20 years. He plays a critical role in evaluating the economic impacts of various research projects in multiple aquaculture-related disciplines and has provided tremendous support for the U.S. catfish industry.
Cline, meanwhile, specializes in training teachers and other leaders to use aquaculture as a cross curricular teaching platform, in addition to his aquaculture extension duties. His train-the-trainer approach provides a tremendous multiplying effect in the development of the next generation of scientists and creates a more aquaculture-literate society.
In his 28-year career at Auburn, Cline has spoken at more than 1,000 extension gatherings and extends his reach using online tools, including his YouTube channel “Aquaculture Education and More.” He is dedicated to changing the public perception of aquaculture by improving the understanding and appreciation for aquaculture through extension and education.
Cline sits on the National Aquaculture Extension Steering committee, served seven years on the executive board of the U.S. Aquaculture Society in various capacities including president, and is currently a board member of the World Aquaculture Society.
