John Wickins led research programmes on crustacean biology, culture, recirculation systems and artificial habitats at the Coney Laboratory of the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science from 1966 until its closure in December 1999. Belfast-born Don Lee initially worked as biologist, designer and technical manager of Ecuadorian shrimp hatcheries and later on commercial shrimp projects in Asia, Africa and currently, the Caribbean.
A graduate of the University of Wales, Bangor, he subsequently gained an MSc. in project analysis, finance and investment at the University of York.