Dr. Frank Asche, a Professor in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences (SFFGS) at the University of Florida and a Research Affiliate for Florida Sea Grant, has been selected as a fellow of the International Institute of Fisheries Economics & Trade (IIFET). Founded in 1982, IIFET aims to promote interaction and exchange among professionals from various disciplines and countries regarding marine resource economics and trade issues.
“IIFET promotes the creation of knowledge and aims for a significant increase in sustainable seafood production, and allocation of the seafood to those in need,” says Dr. Asche.
Dr. Asche joined a large group of fisheries economists in Penang, Malaysia, at the 2024 IIFET conference, to be recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field by being selected as an IIFET Fellow. Since earning his PhD from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in 1996, Dr. Asche has built an international reputation as a leading aquaculture and fisheries economist. His reputation is evident not only through his accomplishments but also through his dedication to understanding global food production, particularly in seafood.
“Seafood is a complex and global commodity, being the food product with the highest share of production being traded. Fishing is our last significant hunting industry, requiring fish to be harvested where they are found, such as in the Bering Sea or the South Atlantic, and then shipped to areas where there is demand,” explains Dr. Asche. “Recently, aquaculture production has increased rapidly, increasingly transforming seafood production into farming. Aquaculture primarily serves traditional seafood markets, with a significant portion occurring in Southeast Asia, highlighting the importance of trade in this sector.”
Dr. Asche’s research is highly multidisciplinary, encompassing economic analysis of virtually all aspects of the seafood system from production to final consumer, for both aquaculture and fisheries, across nearly every geographic scale. His work examines the interactions between fisheries, aquaculture, and their ecosystems, the impact of new supply chains on production systems and markets, and the effect of consumer trends on market strategies. He has published 232 peer-reviewed articles, 18 book chapters, and several edited volumes, with his work being cited over 20,000 times.
IIFET promotes the creation of knowledge and aims for a significant increase in sustainable seafood production, and allocation of the seafood to those in need.
Dr. Frank Asche (2nd left), pictured with Florida Sea Grant Director, Sherry Larkin (3rd left), at the IIFET 2024 Conference in Penang.
“Dr. Asche is receiving what is essentially a lifetime achievement award relatively early in his career,” says Dr. Sherry Larkin, Director of Florida Sea Grant. “His contributions to fisheries and aquaculture, particularly in methodology and empirical insights concerning markets and trade, have been significant. He has been published in top journals in our field and in general science as well.”
In January 2024, Dr. Asche’s research was presented at the inaugural Florida Sea Grant symposium alongside his fellow FSG affiliate faculty. The research presented aimed to provide a greater understanding of economic risks associated with aquaculture operations, informing producers, investors, bankers, and decision-makers on risk mitigation strategies, and facilitating greater investment in sustainable U.S. aquaculture firms.
Dr. Asche is celebrated for his mentorship, supervising numerous PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His commitment to international collaboration has fostered a culture of excellence in fisheries and aquaculture economics. He actively engages with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and international organizations, contributing to sustainable marine resource management and responsible seafood practices. His leadership roles include presidencies of the International Association of Aquaculture Economics and Management (IAAEM) and the North American Association of Fisheries Economists (NAAFE) and serving as Editor-in-Chief of Aquaculture Economics and Management and Associate Editor of Marine Resource Economics.
Dr. Asche’s recognition as an IIFET Fellow underscores his commitment to advancing fisheries and aquaculture economics. His work continues to shape the global field, providing valuable insights and fostering sustainable practices.
“Being elected as a fellow signifies recognition for significant contributions to the field and for advancing it. It’s a testament that your peers appreciate your work and believe it has made a meaningful impact. It is the strongest evidence you can get that your peers value what you have done,” says Dr. Asche.
