Board Members – AwF (Aust) Ltd

Chair: Lance Lloyd

Mr Lance Lloyd, B.Sc., M.Sc., has nearly 40 years of practical experience across SE Australia, and in the Pacific Islands, in freshwater, estuarine, coastal, and inland environments in fish and aquatic fauna ecology and management. He has undertaken hundreds of consulting projects on fish and/or their habitat, research projects in fish ecology, and has extensive experience in fisheries. He has undertaken multiple consulting projects in the aquaculture area as well.

He is currently Chair of the Great Australian Bight RAG (Australian Fisheries Management Authority; AFMA), is a member of two other AFMA committees. He has published widely in fish ecology, water management, wetland ecology, and environmental management, in scientific papers and management reports.

Lance has extensive board experience in several community and professional organizations. Previously, he was a member of the Victorian Catchment Management Council Fisheries (2015-2018), the Co-Management Council of Victoria (2002-2005) and was the inaugural Independent Chairperson of the Translocation Evaluation Panel (Victorian Fisheries) from 2004 to 2017.

In addition to fish ecology and fisheries management, Lance has played a key role in developing environmental water concepts, risk assessments, Ramsar wetland ecology and management, and strategic planning. Further details of Lance’s experience can be found at https://au.linkedin.com/in/lancenlloyd/.

Secretary: Meryl J Williams

Meryl Williams has worked for over 45 years in Australian and international fisheries, aquaculture, aquatic resource conservation and agricultural research and development. Currently, she is focusing on research and advocacy on women and gender in aquaculture and fisheries, and information and science for fair and responsible fish production for food security and nutrition.

She was the inaugural Chair (2017-2022) of the Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries Section of the Asian Fisheries Society and is currently Past Chair. She is also an Honorary Industry Fellow of the University of Technology Sydney and a member of the board of Aquaculture without Frontiers (Australia). She was formerly Director General of the WorldFish Center (1994-2004), during which time she concentrated the focus of WorldFish on eradicating poverty, improving people’s nutrition, and reducing pressure on the environment. She was previously the Director of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Executive Director of the Bureau of Rural Sciences, tuna fisheries statistician at the Secretariat for the Pacific Community and fisheries biologist in the Queensland state government service.

She was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Science, Technology and Engineering (ATSE) in 1993, and awarded an Australian Centenary Medal in 2003, made an Honorary Life Member of the Asian Fisheries Society in 2004, named an ‘Outstanding Alumnus’ of James Cook University, Australia in 2010, and, in 2015, awarded the Crawford Medal. In 2019, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research names a women’s leadership program after her. She is on the Editorial Board of Asian Fisheries Science journal and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Sea Research.

Treasurer: Simon Das

Dr. Simon Kumar Das is a fish biologist who has spent over 15 years conducting research and teaching at the National University of Malaysia. His work focuses on fish biology, fisheries, and aquaculture, particularly how fish adapt to urgent environmental challenges like rising temperatures and CO2-induced Ocean acidification. Dr. Das’s research is crucial for guiding essential decisions in safeguarding aquatic populations amidst substantial environmental changes.

He has an impressive record, with over 100 published scientific papers, more than 40 presentations at conferences in 14 countries, and two authored books. Dr. Das also supervises research projects and has mentored numerous postgraduate and undergraduate students. He is affiliated with esteemed organizations such as the American Fisheries Society, the Fisheries Society of the British Isles, and the Asian Fisheries Society. Additionally, Dr. Das has gained valuable experience as a visiting researcher at NuSea.Lab, Deakin University. Presently, he serves as a Grant Services Officer at Victoria Legal Aid, Australia.

Janine Pierce is a lecturer/researcher at University of South Australia and has diverse experience in vocational education and training, job creation programs, and worked as a business consultant and business operator over many years. In recent years she has been involved in a number of programs both onshore and offshore at University of South Australia at undergraduate and Masters level.

Janine has worked with ACIAR in Vietnam assessing impact of the oyster industry on poor community members, researched in China and recently in India, as well as in Australia. Her PhD was in capital assessment of communities and new aquaculture industries which she has extended to a number of research projects particularly for assessing needs of the disadvantaged. Her passion is creating a better life for the disadvantaged and giving a voice to community members to reach decision makers. Janine is involved with AwF in managing the indigenous aquaculture site and is involved in other community organisations such as Rotary. Janine is also a Board member of the Commonwealth Human Ecology Council. Janine has a number of publications in journals and books and has particular interests relating to poverty alleviation, communities, water, climate change impact, and ethical businesses that operate to ensure balance between people, planet and profits.

Janine holds a Bachelor of Business, Diploma of Teaching, Master of Business and PhD (Community sustainability).

Strategic Planning Leads: Dinesh Kaippilly

Dr. Dinesh Kaippilly was a recipient of World Aquaculture Society Fellow Award in 2018; the second Indian to receive this prestigious award after (Late) Dr. MC Nandeesha. He has a professional experience of more than 25 years in aquaculture in various institutions including teaching experience of about 22 years in College of Fisheries and KUFOS. He was the Head of Fisheries Station, Puduveypu for more than 6 years where he has initiated the first P.vannamei farm and hatchery with the support of Government of Kerala which has attracted the attention of the public and scientific fraternity across India. He has played a pivotal role in popularizing Vannamei shrimp culture in Kerala by training hundreds of shrimp farmers all over the State. He has also propagated the concept of organic shrimp culture among the farming community.  He has been demonstrating high academic standards throughout his career driven by passion and excellence. There are more than 60 publications of various sorts to his credit including 20 journal papers, 3 books and 6 popular articles. He has been an integral part of many research and social projects, worth more than INR 70 million, in the capacity of the Principal Investigator or Co Investigator.   He guided/has been guiding more than 30 MFSc students and 8 PhD students. Having been visited more than 15 countries on various missions, he networked and made strong academic ties with many Universities and other educational-research organizations. He was the recipient of the prestigious NUFFIC Training Fellowship from the Government of Netherlands in 2008, NSC Training Fellowship from Government of Taiwan, ROC in 2013 and 2016 (2 times), Young Faculty Award from Kerala Agricultural University and more than 8 Certificates of Appreciation – both from national and global organizations. He has hitherto organized many national and international events including the first Mangrove Festival of Kerala in November 2016 and was the Steering Committee Member of a series of meetings organized by KUFOS and World Aquaculture Society. He is a member of US, African and Asian Pacific Chapter of World Aquaculture Society. Dinesh is a part of an EU funded project on RAS shrimp farming operated in Italy, Malta and Norway. He has close contact with most of the legendary scientists in the field of fisheries and aquaculture across the world

Areas of research and collaborative interest include fisheries management, fisheries education, fisheries extension, carbon neutral aquaculture, water resilient aquaculture, alternative protein sources for aquafeed industry including guar meal, organic aquaculture, climate smart aquaculture, mangrove based aquaculture. He has been designated by the Government of Kerala as the Nodal Officer to the Academic Exchange Programs between Kerala and Norway.  At present, Dinesh is also officiating as the Dean, Faculty of Fisheries Science, Registrar and Finance Officer of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Cochin, Kerala, India.

Committee Members: Stephen Dixon

Stephen Dixon has an extensive background in the commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors, with hands-on experience as a fisherman, boat owner, vessel manager, and in seafood processing. His expertise extends to managing commercial fisheries, including work with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and serving as CEO of Fisheries Management Strategies (FMS), where he provided consultancy services and legal advice to the Australian commercial sector and government bodies such as the ATO and the United Nations.

In addition to his domestic fisheries work, Stephen has offered aquaculture consultancy services internationally in regions including Norway, Scotland, Spain, Germany, and China. He currently serves as CEO of See³ Global, a company focused on developing advanced water management technologies. See³ Global’s technology development and product commercialisation, is supported by German based SKion Water, which was recognized as the 2021 Water Technology Business of the Year at the Global Water Industry Awards. In this role, he has managed joint ventures between Chinese State-Owned Enterprises and Australian and international businesses, overseeing aquaculture technology development and commercialization.

As the founder of Trident Aqua Solutions (TAS) Pty Ltd., Stephen leads efforts in developing, manufacturing, and commercializing cutting-edge water technologies. His flagship product, a highly efficient nano-technology system, can be adapted for uses ranging from garden hoses to municipal wastewater management. This technology surpasses current market leaders like Molear by producing more nano bubbles with less water, gas, and energy, positioning TAS at the forefront of water innovation.

Driven by a commitment to global water quality, Stephen aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of aquaculture operations worldwide, particularly in countries where technology, expertise, and skills are most needed.

Edward brings over a decade of hands-on experience in aquaculture and environmental management to support Aquaculture Without Frontiers (AwF) in its mission to advance sustainable aquaculture practices and empower communities. With expertise spanning technical project management, quality systems, and stakeholder relations, Edward is dedicated to driving impactful change for AwF’s global initiatives.

Holding a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours) in Marine Biology and a Graduate Certificate in Management, Edward combines a scientific approach with practical experience from large-scale aquaculture projects to ensure AwF’s initiatives are both effective and sustainable.

Inspired by his Filipino heritage, Edward is committed to helping AwF build resilient aquaculture solutions that enhance food security, promote community welfare, and protect natural ecosystems. His leadership focuses on fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation, aligning with AwF’s mission to make a meaningful, positive impact globally.

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.

Aquaculture Technical Adviser

Mark Oliver

Mark Oliver is the owner/CEO of LMC Training and has been in the seafood industry for 24 years. He has over 10 years full time experience in commercial aquaculture and over 14 years full time experience in delivering targeted training for the seafood industry. Mark is passionate about the sustainable growth of the global aquaculture industry and firmly believes that this will be primarily driven by a quality human resource pool.

Mark has a Bachelor of Science (Honours), a Graduate Diploma in Education, a Diploma of Aquaculture and vocational training and assessing qualifications. He is also the vocational training and education theme leader for the Australian Seafood Cooperative Research Centre, board member of the World Aquaculture Societies Asia Pacific Chapter, an International Specialised Skills Institute Fellow, North Queensland Trainer of the Year (all categories) and Certification Panel Member for the Sustainably Farmed Australian Barramundi Program.