At the opening plenary session of the Aquaculture Europe 2017 event - organised by the European Aquaculture Society in Dubrovnik, Croatia - Sadisivam (Sachi) Kaushik, founder and director of the Fish Nutrition Joint research units of the Hydrobiology Station at St Pee sur Nivelle, was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of EAS.

Honorary Life Membership of EAS is an award given to those persons that have had a marked impact on the development of European aquaculture. Since 1981, EAS has bestowed this award on only 12 persons, including such names as Eric Edwards, Peter Hjul, Colin Nash, Courtney Hough, Pascal Divanach, Patrick Sorgeloos and Michael New.

The award was presented by the EAS 2016-2018 President Bjorn Myrseth, who introduced the awardee as a very well-known name in aquaculture – not only in Europe – but throughout the world. His name is synonymous with the word ‘nutrition’ – and it was therefore fitting that the award was made just after a very thought-provoking plenary presentation on the evolution of the human brain and the pivotal role of marine DHA and trace elements, entitled “Is substitution compromising our omega 3 (DHA) position?” by Professor Michael A Crawford of Imperial College, London.

Bjorn Myrseth described how, over a period of 30 years, Sachi Kaushik founded and directed the Fish Nutrition Joint research units of the Hydrobiology Station at St Pee sur Nivelle, France and many of his PhD and other students have gone on to become respected scientists in this field.

He has continuously supported the development of the EAS and has tirelessly supported aquaculture expansion through the FAO, UNDP, World Bank and other organisations. In 2015, he was made an Officer of the ‘Ordre du Mérite Agricole’ by the French government for his services to nutrition and to aquaculture.

He has published more than 300 papers and given countless presentations, expert consultations, articles and interviews on the issues of replacement of fish meal and fish oil, fish in/fish out ratios, human nutrition. Now retired from INRA, he is currently leading a migratory life between his home in the French Basque country and the University of Las Palmas in Grand Canaria, where he is the European Research Area chair on ecosystem approaches to sustainable aquaculture development in the eco-aqua initiative.

On calling Sachi to receive his award, Bjorn spoke of his pleasure and personal honour to make the presentation of Honorary Life Membership to him on behalf of the European Aquaculture Society. Judging from the appreciation showed by the audience, Sachi was a very popular awardee.

Photo caption:
New EAS Honorary Life Member Sachi Kaushik. Photo courtesy of MisPeces.com