The idea for establishing the European Mariculture Society was launched at the occasion of the Tenth European Symposium of Marine Biologists, which took place in Oostende, Belgium, in 1975. The founding meeting took place on April 29 and 30, 1976 in the office of the Institute for Marine Scientific Research (IZWO) that has supported the society and has provided office space for the EAS secretariat until the late 80's.
The original name "European Mariculture Society" was changed into "EUROPEAN AQUACULTURE SOCIETY" in 1984 to better reflect the activity field of the society.
EAS Founding members:
Dr. J. Arnal (Spain), Dr. J.V. Bannister (Malta), Dr. M. Bilio (Germany), Dr. S.J. De Groot (The Netherlands), Dr. J. Fluchter (Germany), Dr. ir. E. Jaspers (Belgium), Mr. B. Myrseth (Norway), Dr. F. O'Brien (Ireland), Prof. Dr. G. Persoone (Belgium), Dr. S. Von Boletzky (Switzerland), Dr. T. Vukovic (Yugoslavia)
EAS Past Presidents
1976-1980 Martin Bilio (Germany)
1980-1982 Guido Persoone (Belgium)
1982-1984 Harald Rosenthal (Germany)
1984-1986 Alan Jones (UK)
1986-1988 Hans Ackefors (Sweden)
1988-1990 Jean-Jacques Sabaut (France)
1990-1992 John Joyce (Ireland)
1992-1994 Bjorn Myrseth (Norway)
1994-1996 Michael Poxton (UK)
1996-1998 Patrick Lavens (Belgium)
1998-2000 Philippe Ferlin (France)
2000-2002 Rosa Flos (Spain)
2002-2004 Michael New (UK)
2004-2006 Johan Verreth (The Netherlands)
2006-2008 Laszlo Varadi (Hungary)
2008-2010 Selina Stead (UK)
2010-2012 Yves Harache (France)
2012-2014 Kjell Maroni (Norway)
2014-2016 Sachi Kaushik (France)
2016-2018 Bjorn Myrseth (Norway)
2018-2020 Gavin Burnell (Ireland)
2020-2022 Herve Migaud (UK)
2022-2024 Bente Torstensen (Norway)