Dr. He served as chair of the organization’s Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour, which initiates and reviews investigations of scientists and technologists concerned with the design, planning, and testing of fishing gears for bycatch and discard reduction.
Dr. Pingguo He, Professor of Fisheries Oceanography at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST), has been awarded the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Service Award in recognition of his contributions to the organization.
The ICES, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a global organization that develops science and advice to support the sustainable use of oceans. The organization, which boasts a network of more than 6,000 scientists, primarily across the North Atlantic including the United States, coordinates and promotes research on oceanography, the marine environment, the marine ecosystem, and on living marine resources in the North Atlantic, according to its website.
He served as chair of the organization’s Working Group on Fishing Technology and Fish Behaviour, which is co-sponsored by ICES and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) from January 2018 through April 2021. The group initiates and reviews investigations of scientists and technologists concerned with all aspects of fishing technology and related fish behavior for efficient fish capture and reduced impact on the ocean.
"The past year, 2021, has been particularly challenging in terms of chairing a group," said Wojciech Wawrzynski, Head of ICES Science Department. “And I appreciate that despite many competing personal and professional priorities for everyone in our community during these unprecedented times, it is encouraging to see your group under your chairing has adapted to the new circumstances, helping to ensure continuity of our work."