K. Radway Allen Award

Background

This award, inaugurated in 1995, is named after the renowned fisheries biologist Kenneth (‘Kay’) Radway Allen.  Kay was a pioneering researcher who worked across multiple fields and whose impact still resonates today. His long and distinguished career spanned 70 years and three continents, characterised by a pioneering approach and the impact of its results, and marked by a generosity of spirit treasured by his colleagues. It began after a MSc from Cambridge University, when he undertook ground-breaking research on trout in New Zealand. Kay soon realised the value of computers in fisheries assessments and modelling and undertook important work that included assessing the status of whale stocks for the International Whaling Commission that led to the eventual ban on commercial whaling, and fishery assessments of the oceanic salmon fishery off Greenland. He became Director of research at the Fisheries Research Board of Canada and then oversaw the rapid growth in marine research in Australia as chief of the CSIRO Division of Fisheries and Oceanography at Cronulla near Sydney, where he remained active well after his retirement.

Purpose

The K. Radway Allen Award recognises outstanding contribution to fish or fisheries science.

Conditions

Most of the recipient’s research must have been conducted in Australia or New Zealand (or Australasia)

The award is not restricted to members of ASFB

The work must have a focus on research or scientific application of research to management

Criteria which may be considered

Selection is designed to reflect many of the attributes associated with Kay’s career and may be a combination of:

• A monumental body of work contributing to fish or fisheries research spanning many years

• Pioneering work in a new or developing field, original techniques or research methods

• New perspectives or research directions that contribute to scientific or ecological understanding of fish or fisheries management

• Successfully accomplished fishery research or management of national or international importance

• Contributions to education, teaching or mentoring graduate/post-graduate students or researchers in non-academic institutions

• Important ecological, evolutionary, environmental or taxonomic discoveries

• Interdisciplinary research and collaborations (laboratory or field)

• Publication portfolio: Technical or popular writing

• Dissemination of information in any forum (e.g. media, social media) to enhance public understanding of fish, fisheries or aquatic habitats

• Is collaborative and inclusive

• Has shown inspirational leadership

Process

• The award may be bestowed annually, but not necessarily be given each year.

• Any person may be nominated for the Award, but nominations may only be made by financial members of the Society. The nomination must be in writing and must be seconded by a financial member of the Society. Nominations must address the relevant selection criteria and a current copy of the nominee’s CV should be included if deemed appropriate.

• The President will appoint and Chair an anonymous Selection Committee from Society members that is diverse in nature. The Selection Committee shall consist of at least three members, one of which is a previous KRA winner or past President of the Society.

• The President will make a call to members seeking nominations. Nominations can be made by email to the President (see https://www.asfb.org.au/executive-council and click president) throughout the year. The President can also make nominations. The President will then select and suggest a list of up to four nominees for consideration by the Selection Committee who will determine the outcome.

• Gender and cultural diversity, career time and non-traditional careers will be considered in nominee selection.

• The award is announced at the conference dinner with the recipient being presented with the KRA medal by the ASFB President.

• The recipient will automatically be inducted into the ASFB Hall of Fame.

• The recipient will be required to give a keynote presentation at the ASFB conference the following year.

Past Award Recipients