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In memoriam: Fred S. Conte
Fred S. Conte, UC Cooperative Extension aquaculture specialist emeritus at UC Davis, passed away Feb. 19, 2021.
Conte was born March 10, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Raphael and Etta Conte. He has one older brother, Frank. He met his wife, Elisabeth “Beth” (Bailey) Conte of Galveston while she was attending the Texas A&M Marine Lab. They married shortly after Beth graduated from college in June 1967 in Sacred Heart Church in Galveston.
Conte received his B.S. in 1963 in biology from Lamar State College of Technology. He earned his M.S. in zoology in 1966 and Ph.D. in invertebrate biology with a biological oceanography minor in 1972 from Texas A&M University (TAMU), respectively.
Conte's professional career in aquaculture began at TAMU in 1971, where he served as an extension mariculture specialist, covering saltwater aquaculture. He was involved in building the Corpus Christi TAMU Shrimp Mariculture Research Facility at the Barney Davis Power Plant, conducted research on shrimp culture, and managed the facility.
Conte joined the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis and UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources as California's first extension aquaculture specialist in 1977.
Conte's programs covered production technology and governmental issues that impacted both large and small aquaculture enterprises. He developed and extended information on warm- and cold-water finfish and shellfish production, including such topics as reproduction, hatchery management, water quality, markets, nutrition, harvest, transport, sanitation, aquatic animal welfare, pond and lake management, and farm assistance programs.
Recently he also began providing information about the rapidly growing industry of aquaponics (the culture of fish and plants together in a recycle system). His research and outreach efforts resulted in well-used production manuals and factsheets, podcasts, flash videos and newsletter articles.
During his early years, Conte emphasized writing, to extend aquaculture information to clientele. He edited the World Mariculture Society (1978-1980) and the California Aquaculture Newsletters (1980-1989). During the 1990s, Conte embraced web-based information dissemination to his diverse clientele by developing an aquaculture website as a one-stop location for aquaculture information requests. His continuous upgrading of the California Aquaculture Website served people around the globe with thousands of visits, and downloads from his library of pdf publications, every month. He also launched the California Aquaculture Facebook page in 2010, as a companion to the website. The Facebook page had an international audience and featured media stores addressing regional, national and international aquaculture and fisheries related media coverage.
In the early 1980s, California growers and UC Davis scientists established sturgeon as the newest aquaculture species in the West. Conte's significant contribution to this achievement was the production of a manual, which is still considered the gold standard for sturgeon hatcheries nationally and internationally: The Hatchery Manual for the White Sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, with application to other North American Acipenseridae (1988). He continued to provide the outreach for numerous white sturgeon research projects that spanned 40 years at UCD, and California is now the largest producer of sturgeon meat and caviar in the U.S.
Another major accomplishment for Conte was the initiation of the shellfish sanitation modelling research program at UCD in the 1990s. The development of improved methods of evaluating sanitation conditions in shellfish growing areas in coastal waters was instrumental in opening shellfish sales post rainy weather. Research funded through several Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) projects resulted in three shellfish sanitation models: “Aquarius” (2009), “Pearl” (2013), and “Mermaid” (2017); and numerous ancillary shellfish software programs used to evaluate and manage shellfish growing areas. These complex and comprehensive models provided more sensitive and accurate analyses of sanitation conditions in shellfish growing areas, especially when making adjustments in rules for opening and closing areas for harvest thereby improving food safety and reducing unneeded economic hardships on farmers.
Throughout his career, Conte served on numerous department and campus committees, most notably on the Aquaculture and Fisheries Program Executive Committee during its reorganization into the Center for Aquatic Biology and Aquaculture (CABA), and then serving as acting and interim director (1999-2001). He also contributed to classroom instruction as an invited lecturer on various aquaculture topics, in the department's aquaculture production courses.
Conte was a prominent figure as the UC aquaculture industry extension representative (1986-2017) to the California Aquaculture Association's Aquaculture Development Committee. He provided science-based information for policy development and worked with CAA leadership and members on numerous projects. He was also a science advisor to the CAA Board (1999-2019), providing his expertise on aquaculture science and the relationships between the aquaculture industries, research at UC and various government agencies. He also served on numerous committees of the California Farm Bureau, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the California Department of Health Services.
At the regional level, Conte was instrumental in the Western Regional Aquaculture Center's outreach efforts since its inception in 1986. He led the Strategic Planning Committee in major revisions of the Manual of Operations, to emphasize the importance that WRAC must place on both sound, relevant science, and transfer of that information to the industry. He was a member of the Board of Directors, the Publication Committee, and the Technical Committee. He authored numerous WRAC outreach publications and conducted frequent workshops. His outreach products were also used for conveying the economic impacts of WRAC's investment to federal agencies and congressional appropriations committees.
At the national and international level, Conte was active on many committees of the National Aquaculture Association and the World Aquaculture Society, including service as WAS president (1984-1985). In recognition of his website development, Conte was appointed to the USDA National Library Electronic Database, Aquaculture Steering Committee (1997-2008) and some of his more recent work led him to be a member of the USDA-NIFA Organics Standard Committee, Animal Welfare and Humane Slaughter Subcommittee (2006-2015).
Conte authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and outreach publications, and presented and/or chaired sessions at hundreds of conferences. He also frequently organized and conducted aquaculture workshops and short courses. A well-known figure at conferences, Conte was highly sought after for discussions, to the point that he would develop laryngitis from voice overuse.
Conte's accomplishments were recognized through several awards: the CAA Presidents Service Award (1983), the WAS Distinguished Service Award (1985), the CAA Distinguished Service Award (1987), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative States Research Extension and Education Service Award (2004), for outstanding contributions to the growth and development of aquaculture in the US through extension programs with national impact. And in 2016, he received the highly prestigious NAA Joseph P. McCraren Award for Lifetime Contributions to the Aquaculture Industry.
On Oct. 30, 2020, Conte retired from UCD, after 43 years of service. His legacy includes originating and implementing innovative and sustained research and outreach programs resulting in growth and development of aquaculture in the U.S. and throughout the world. He exemplified the role of the extensionist bridge between growers, academia, science and government.
Conte was gentle and unassuming. He cherished family, valued friends and colleagues and often developed lifelong friendships with growers and leaders within aquaculture. He was known for his subject matter excellence, perseverance and was driven to provide scientifically sound information to clientele. He embraced use of technology and delivered captivating stories.
You can listen to Conte talking about oysters and aquaculture in a series of podcasts at https://dcbsp.ucdavis.edu/x/aqua/Podcast/download.htm. These are probably the only recordings left behind from Conte. He is gone but he can still talk with us. He will be dearly missed.
Conte had two passions in life: his work and his family. He was devoted to his wife, and always took an active interest in the lives of his children. He took care of his family, and he was ready to give aid any time there was a need. In his spare time, Conte enjoyed watching movies, reading books, and the art of fly tying.
Conte is survived by his wife of 53 years Beth, son Samuel E. (Alex) Conte of Seattle and daughter Claire S. (Bobby) Moon of Hermitage, Tenn.; granddaughters Bailey Moon and Maggie Conte, brother Frank Conte, nieces Barbara Conte and Nell Gutierrez, nephew Michael Conte and numerous colleagues and friends he considered family. He was preceded in death by his son Mark S. Conte.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UC Davis Arboretum or a charity of your choosing. A private memorial will be held when the family can gather.
UC part of nationwide cyber attack
UC has learned that it, along with other universities, government agencies, and private companies throughout the country, was recently subject to a cybersecurity attack. The attack involves the use of Accellion, a vendor used by many organizations for secure file transfer, in which an unauthorized individual appears to have copied and transferred UC files by exploiting a vulnerability in Accellion's file transfer service.
Upon learning of the attack, UC immediately reported the incident to federal law enforcement, took measures to contain it, and began an investigation. At this time, we believe this attack only affected the Accellion system and did not compromise other UC systems or networks.
UC's investigation includes a review of the files we believe may have been copied and transferred as part of this attack. Upon completion of our review, we should be able to better assess the data and individuals impacted. Once we can identify affected individuals, we will notify them and provide information regarding additional next steps.
We understand those behind this attack have published online screenshots of personal information, and we will notify members of the UC community if we believe their data was leaked in this manner.
Watch out for suspicious emails
We believe the person(s) behind this attack are sending threatening mass emails to members of the UC community in an attempt to scare people into giving them money. The message states:
“Your personal data has been stolen and will be published”
By their nature, these kinds of attacks are very broad and somewhat imprecise. Accordingly, some UC community members receiving these threatening emails will not have had their data compromised, while other community members with compromised data may not receive any email.
Anyone receiving this message should either forward it to your local information security office or simply delete it.
Important reminders about protecting yourself, and UC
We remind all members of the UC community to not click on links or open attachments unless you know and trust the sender.
In addition, you may wish to take the following steps to protect your information:
- Consider taking additional identity theft measures described at https://www.identitytheft.gov/databreach
- Place a fraud alert with one of the three nationwide credit bureaus:
- Place a security freeze on your credit report by making a request to the three credit bureaus.
UC regards the privacy of all its community members with the utmost seriousness. We will update the UC community as we are able to disclose additional information.
Related reading:
Five rules for protecting your security online
ANR@Work survey closes April 9
The ANR@Work Survey – which will be open through April 9 – gives all academics and staff an opportunity to provide feedback about their experience working at UC ANR.
The UC ANR community is founded on principles strengthened by common goals, shared interests, camaraderie and a passion for improving the quality of life in all communities. We all have the right to work in an environment that promotes fairness, trust, respect, and physical and emotional safety and security. Your anonymous survey responses will contribute to our efforts to create the best possible work environment for all of us.
On March 16, each academic and staff member should have received an email from Glenda Humiston <satsurvey@ucanr.edu> containing a unique link to the survey. The emailed invitation is the only way to access the survey and cannot be replaced.
To thank you for your time and to encourage participation, everyone who completes the survey will have the option to participate in a drawing for a $75 gift card. We will award 40 gift cards through random drawings during the survey period.
The survey is being administered again by UC San Diego; they have been administering a similar survey for more than 20 years on their campus. Results from the 2020 ANR@Work Survey established a baseline for us to measure progress and opportunities for improvement. Examples of activities that were involved by 2020 survey results include increased leadership participation in monthly town hall meetings and more opportunities for ANR employees to provide input into the ANR Strategic Plan.
You can find 2020 results at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Diversity/ANR@Work_Survey_741.
If you have questions about the survey, please contact Human Resources at satsurvey@ucanr.edu.
Nominate outstanding staff for STAR awards by April 12
The Staff Appreciation and Recognition Award Program provides an opportunity to recognize and reward outstanding staff for their individual and team performance within Agriculture and Natural Resources.
By midnight on April 12: Nominations should be submitted via e-mail to Human Resources. Nominators are responsible for documenting the approval of each nominee's supervisor as part of the application submission. A PDF copy of email approval from the supervisor(s) will be accepted.
April-May: Review committee reviews applications and recommends individuals and teams to be awarded. The Vice President of ANR has final authority to approve STAR awards.
May: Unit directors and award winners are notified of the final decisions.
June 17, 2-4 p.m.: STAR Award recipients will be celebrated during an ANR recognition event. Save the date!
Learn more about eligibility and criteria at https://ucanr.edu/sites/ANRSPU/Supervisor_Resources/Staff_Appreciation_and_Recognition_STAR_Awards.
Proposed policy on Native American cultural affiliation and repatriation open for comment
The University of California Office of the President invites comments on a proposed Presidential Policy on Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation. The proposed policy substantively revises the existing Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation Interim Policy (“Current Policy”). The policy pertains to the treatment and repatriation of Native American and Native Hawaiian human remains and cultural items under the University's possession or control and the University's compliance with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (“NAGPRA”), its accompanying regulations, and the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (“CalNAGPRA”). This effort began in 2018 in response to AB 2836, a California bill that required the University to revise its previous policy.
On July 24, 2020, President Napolitano issued the policy as interim in order to allow tribes additional time for review due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, the comment period was extended through November 15, 2020, with the intention that UC would issue a final updated Policy by December 31, 2020.
On September 29, 2020, AB 275, which made substantial changes to the CalNAGPRA, was signed into law, effective January 1, 2021. The prevailing concern communicated by the responding tribes and the California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) during the extended comment period was that the interim policy did not reflect these new requirements. Respondents urged UC not to implement a final policy by December 31, 2020, but rather to delay issuance and allocate additional time to ensure that AB 275 could be fully incorporated into the policy. This revised policy now incorporates AB 275 requirements.
Below is a list of the significant changes present in the proposed policy from the interim policy:
- Definitions (§ II) have been added and revised where needed to align with CalNAGPRA.
- As required by CalNAGPRA, deference to tribal traditional knowledge, oral histories, documentation, and testimonies is now indicated when determining state cultural affiliation, identifying cultural items under CalNAGPRA, and making decisions related to the CalNAGPRA repatriation process (§§ V.C.1 and V.J.1).
- In consultation with California Native American tribes, Campuses must prepare preliminary inventories/summaries by January 1, 2022 for submission to the NAHC (§§ V.B.1.k, V.C.1, and V.C.5).
- The CalNAGPRA dispute procedures available to California Indian tribes have been added (§ V.I).
- The AB 275 procedures for submissions of claims under CalNAGPRA have been incorporated (§ V.D.3).
- The flowcharts and narrative previously described in Appendices A, A-1, and B of the Interim Policy have been removed. These documents were intended as visual aids in understanding the consultation, claims, repatriation, and appeals processes described in the Interim Policy rather than as a means of separately conveying policy requirements not described in the Interim Policy. However, as stated in the revised Policy (§§ III.C, V.B.1.i, V.B.2, V.D.1, V.D.3, V.I, V.J.3, and VI.1), UC will maintain these flowcharts on UCOP's NAGPRA website. This will allow UC to make more responsive ongoing updates to the flowcharts to clarify these processes as they are more fully implemented, based on feedback from tribes, committee members, and UC repatriation staff.
Please visit http://ucal.us/nagpra for the complete revision history.
The proposed policy is posted at https://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/Administration/Business_Operations/Controller/Administrative_Policies_-_Business_Contracts/Policy_and_administrative_handbooks/ANR_Administrative_Handbook/Recent_Updates.
If you have any questions or if you wish to comment, please contact Robin Sanchez at rgsanchez@ucanr.edu no later than May 26, 2021. Please indicate “Native American Cultural Affiliation and Repatriation” in the subject line.
