Antonio Garza de Yta (President)
Dr. Antonio Garza de Yta. Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey (1997). M.Sc. (2001) and Ph.D. in Aquaculture (2009) from Auburn University. Former Director General for Planning, Programming and Evaluation of the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries in Mexico (CONAPESCA). Immediate Past President of the Latin-American and Caribbean Chapter of the World Aquaculture Society (LACC-WAS). Director of the International Association of Astacology (IAA). Director of the World Aquaculture Society.
During the last couple of decades Dr. Garza worked hands-on with farmers and was actively involved in turnkey projects and training in aquaculture in Mexico and Latin America. He has given lectures on Crustacean Aquaculture, Water Quality Management and Aquaculture Development and performed training around the world. Dr. Garza has worked as a private consultant for aquaculture projects in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Chile, Argentina, Ghana, Lebanon, and Australia. He has been involved in several diagnoses and strategic planning programs and has cooperated actively with the FAO since 2007. As well, he has participated as speaker in most of the important events of aquaculture worldwide (WAS, IAA, FAO among others). Dr. Garza has published and served as reviewer of articles in scientific journals and magazines in the Americas and Asia and recently published a book chapter on Crayfish Aquaculture.
In the recent years Dr. Garza, in collaboration with Auburn University’s Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, developed the Certification for Aquaculture Professionals (CAP) Program. He actively promoted the Certification in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. He firmly believes that education and professionalization of aquaculture are the key components most needed worldwide to develop individual and commercial enterprise. His vision for AwF (Latin America) is to create an NGO which drives capability and capacity in Aquaculture right across Latin America.
Citlali Gomez Lepe
Citlali is a Biologist working since 1998 in responsible and sustainable aquaculture. She is CEO and founding member of Neminatura, a family business dedicated to the growth and commercialization of rainbow trout and bull frogs, which takes care to conserve the natural resources (forests and spring water) of the places where the farms are located.
As Vice president of COMEPESCA (Mexican Council for the Promotion of Seafood and Aquaculture Consumption) Citlali leads the work of this Council to promote the consumption and sourcing of sustainable and responsible seafood and aquaculture. She has the certification for Professionals in Aquaculture from CAP.
Citlali is founder and president of The Alliance for the Conservation of Forests and Water (ONG) which is working in the center of the country with rural communities in productive projects in order to develop a sustainable platform for them.
Clarissa Garza de Yta
Mrs. Garza de Yta B.S. from the University Iberoamericana, México City. She started working as creator and idea developer in advertising strategies in CRC Studios. After that she became the Anchorwoman of local news in TV Azteca, recognized as state and national grade Reporter. She hosted a health program and was co-producer and host of a sports news program in W Radio.
Professional in communication with experience in event and project coordination, advertising strategies and media campaigns on the promotion of seafood consumption.
During her career, she has developed tourism projects and events at Anderson Group, performed directed and produced advertising campaigns and independent projects as well as been editor and columnist for ibalpe.com. Recently, she was Seafood Consumption Coordinator at the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries in Mexico (CONAPESCA).
Currently, Mrs. Garza de Yta is founding member and CEO of A MAR MIO, specialized Mexican Seafood Shops.
ROY PALMER (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
Roy has been engaged in the seafood industry since 1972. He became involved in ‘industry issues’ in the early 1980’s when he was elected inaugural President of the Victorian Importers Association.
Since then he has engaged in many industry activities at various levels during which time he served as Deputy Chairman of Seafood Services Australia Ltd, and on the Boards of Seafood Training Australia and Victoria’s Fisheries Co-Management Council.
Roy is currently involved in many seafood activities, mainly with global organisations, which he sees as being important in respect of food security/safety, alleviating hunger/poverty, increasing seafood consumption, certification, marketing and training/education. See LinkedIn.