Courtesy of NAA:

Annually, during Aquaculture America or the triennial Aquaculture conferences the National Aquaculture Association (NAA) presents two awards given in honor of our first Executive Director Joseph P. McCraren.  More than any other individual, Joe had the vision and the ability to bring to reality the concept of “One Industry-One Voice” for the NAA.  When we recognize individuals with a Joseph P. McCraren Award we are recognizing them as having attained a standard of excellence and accomplishment established by Joe McCraren.  This is no small accomplishment.

During Aquaculture America 2023, the NAA presented the Joseph P. McCraren Distinguished Lifetime Contributions award to Tony Vaught, President and CEO, ProAquaculture Inc. of Chico California.  Mr. Vaught has been involved in the aquaculture since 1978. He managed the Chico Game Fish Farm until 1985, was general manager of Arrowhead Fisheries from June 1985 until October 1987, and then formed a consulting firm in the spring of 1988. Tony is the current President of the California Aquaculture Association, has served as past President several times and served on the board of directors of Association for the past 30 years. He has served as Chair of the Aquaculture Industry Advisory Committee for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Chair of the California Farm Bureau’s Aquaculture Commodity Committee. Most notably, our nominee produced the first domestic striped bass in the Western United States and has been instrumental in developing new techniques for the domestication and spawning of channel catfish, sturgeon, and striped bass.

We also presented the Joseph P. McCraren Award for Outstanding Contributions in Promoting the Growth of US Aquaculture award to Dr. Kevan Main, Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Mote Aquaculture Research Park with Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota Florida. Dr. Main’s distinguished career includes significant work across two oceans serving as a senior scientist, program manager and director, executive director, and currently an Associate Vice President for a variety of public and private aquaculture research programs. Kevan has worked in aquaculture for more than 30 years including service as past President of the World Aquaculture Society and recognition in 2016 by President Obama as a Champion of Change for Sustainable Seafood.

Please join us in congratulating Tony Vaught and Kevan Main for receiving McCraren Awards and their exemplary efforts to benefit U.S. aquaculture.