Simão Zacarias, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Project and Research coordinator of the Asian Fish Welfare Network project, has been chosen for the Inaugural “Early Career Impact Award” at the 10th Animal Welfare Research Network Annual meeting held at Chester Zoo – Chester, England – United Kingdom, September 16 to 18, 2026.

Simão Zacarias receiving the ECR Impact Award at the AWRN Annual Meeting 2026

The Impact Award was given based on Simão’s real-world impact on farmed aquatic animal welfare; particularly his work on effect and alternatives for eyestalk ablation in shrimp hatcheries. In general, his work has contributed to the phase-out of eyestalk ablation by hatcheries globally, and used as evidence to promote the adoption process by certifiers and retailers. In addition, his work for the Asian Fish Welfare Network project was also recognized as bringing real-world impact by building awareness on fish welfare and capacity building through education and research network animation in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

After receiving the Award on Friday morning 18th September, Simão commented: ”It is an honour to be recognized, first as an Early Career Researcher and second as the first individual to receive this type of award in the Animal Welfare Research Network Annual meeting’s history”. He also expressed gratitude for all the support he gets at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, and his main mentors and close friends and family members. In addition, he was also grateful to all the global project partners who through their collaboration, helps to bring real-world impact. He highlighted how important it is to work closely with industry stakeholders, especially those who will benefit the most from applied research”.

Besides the award, Simão was also involved in chairing one of the Annual meeting sessions on 17th September.