Dean Akiyama to receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Arief Fachrudin

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The Center for Responsible Seafood (TCRS) announced that Dean M Akiyama will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 3rd annual TCRS Shrimp Summit, which will take place in Bali, Indonesia on 23-25 June 2025.

George Chamberlain, President of TCRS and an early collaborator with Dr Akiyama, said for his enduring achievements in science, commercial production, and education that have advanced the productivity, sustainability, and livelihoods of shrimp farming, TCRS will be proud to present Dr Akiyama with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

👨🏼‍🏫 Education and career

Dr Akiyama grew up in Hawaii and earned his PhD in shrimp nutrition at Texas A&M University. Upon graduation he began a career that had impacts across the globe.

As the original aquaculture technical representative of the American Soybean Association in Singapore, he was a prolific source of information to the global industry through newsletters, technical reports, workshops, and international events.

He later moved to Indonesia where he led aquaculture programs at Japfa Comfeed Indonesia and Central Proteina Prima (CPP).

During his 15 years at CPP, a large integrated aquaculture group with annual production peaking at 90,000 tons of cultured shrimp, he directed and managed technology and research programs for the group including aquafeeds technology, aquaculture R&D, animal health, quality assurance, and genetic improvement at a subsidiary, Shrimp Improvement Systems, that is one of the world’s leading shrimp breeding companies.

💬 Comments

Dr Akiyama has always exuded the Aloha spirit – treating everyone with kindness and respect – that was ingrained in him in Hawaii.

Those who have had the privilege to work with him have posted pictures, testimonials, and memories online that attest to his immense popularity and impact. Sample comments:

“Dean is more than just a professional mentor. He’s someone who consistently strives to make a meaningful impact on individuals, the global shrimp industry, and every firm he touches,” said Pablo Montalbetti of Vitapro-Alicorp.

“An amazing scientist, professional, and human being,”said Robins McIntosh, Executive Vice President at Charoen Pokphand Foods.

These and other reflections reflect the scope of Dr Akiyama’s career and the unique impact he made by combining high-level professional accomplishments with broad generosity and kindness to others—a legacy that will be celebrated with the TCRS Lifetime Achievement Award.