ICES Prix d’Excellence was presented to Carlos Duarte, who is the second ever to receive this accolade. It is the highest award conferred by ICES and is only awarded every three years.

 

In his introduction, Ed Houde, Chair of the Awards Committee, described this year’s recipient as an outstanding marine ecologist, who has exerted a global impact on the development of ocean science and someone who has achieved more in the past decade than most hope to achieve in a lifetime. His broad reach extends to all parts of the globe, where he has conducted research on marine ecosystems, especially the flux of carbon, microbial ecology, and comparative analysis of ecosystems. Additionally, he has made important contributions to the development of science in support of policy and management. Duarte’s work remains in the top 0.1% of science citations and students that have had the pleasure of his supervision regard him as “the fertilizer that any good student needs to flourish”.

 

On receiving the award, Duarte commented that he was greatly honoured and moved, and that the honour lay in the prestige of ICES as an organization. “ICES is a collegial institute, and to be recognized and esteemed by my colleagues and peers makes me even more appreciative of this award”. He further notes that, “ICES is not only an organization with a trajectory of more than one hundred years. It is an organization that is important for the future, because human society will depend more and more on sustainable aquaculture, marine energy, water, and the biological resources of the ocean”.

 

 

Michael Sissenwine, who has been a part of the ICES community for more than thirty-five years and is regarded as the ultimate ICES delegate, received the Outstanding Achievement Award at Monday afternoon’s opening session. The award is presented to one recipient annually. Ed Houde recognized this year’s recipient for his outstanding achievements as well as for being an “outstanding achiever”. He has led the organization as President, helped ICES through difficult strategic changes, and served as first Chair of the recently formed Advisory Committee (ACOM). His work, from the 1970s to the present day, has always been regarded as exceptional.

 

Acknowledging the description of himself as anything but a “normal, average guy”, Sissenwine said that, although he had been honoured by other organizations, being recognized by ICES was a greater honour because of the length and depth of his association with the ICES community.

 

Congratulations to both Carlos and Michael.​