2003 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient: Dr. William Pennel

Dr. William (Bill) Pennell is a faculty advisor and instructor in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Malaspina University-College (MUC) in Nanaimo, BC. Bill received his Ph.D. in Marine Sciences from McGill University in 1973 and has been with MUC since 1980.
Bill is a member of several professional associations and committees including AAC, WAS, AAAS, Science Council of BC, AquaNet Education Committee (2000-2002), ACRDP Pacific Review Committee, BC IPOST-OSAP Advisory Committee and several BC industry association committees with both BCSFA and BCSGA. He is a former President and board member of the AAC and he has organised and assisted with many AAC meetings.

Bill’s research interest’s are varied and include shellfish production and husbandry, finfish culture, salmonid culture and copepods. He has received funding from many sources including Science Council of BC, CIDA, MUC research funds, BCMAFF, BC Ministry or Education, SSHRC and AquaNet. He has over thirty publications, many reflecting the applied nature of his research endeavours.
Bill is first and foremost an educator. He was instrumental in the development of the aquaculture programs at MUC and works continuously with the BC aquaculture industry to ensure the program graduates are trained appropriately to meet the needs of the industry. The technical diploma, the BSc and the international programs offer courses on the undergraduate level and graduate level in conjunction with UBC, OSU and several other international universities. As well, MUC delivers many industry-focussed workshops and Bill has been very proactive in the dissemination of aquaculture information and knowledge to the finfish, salmonid and shellfish industry in BC and internationally.
Recently, Bill was the driving force behind the initiation, development and successful funding of a new Centre for Shellfish Research at MUC, where he received a sizable grant from CFI. The Centre will the focus of research, education and technology transfer for the BC shellfish industry and the Centre will work closely with industry, students, the BC Shellfish Growers Association and DFO researchers, something Bill has promoted all through his career in aquaculture.
In summary, Bill is a long-time shellfish aquaculturist at Malaspina University College. He is a former President and board member of the AAC and has organised and assisted many AAC meetings. He is a shellfish and finfish researcher who has worked closely with the BC shellfish and salmonid growers. And he is an educator who was key in the development of the aquaculture program at Malaspina and the driving force behind the development of the Centre for Shellfish Research at Malaspina.