James W. Avault, Jr. was born 20 May 1935 in East St. Louis, Illinois. He received the Bachelor of Science Degree in agriculture in 1961 from the University of Missouri, and the Master of Science and Ph.D. in aquaculture from Auburn University in 1963 and 1966, respectively. He gained practical experience in aquaculture while working at three National Fish Hatcheries: Welaka, Florida; Natchitoches, Louisiana; and Frankfort, Kentucky. He joined the faculty at Louisiana State University in 1966 where he taught and conducted research in aquaculture for more than 30 years.

Dr. Avault has been active in professional organizations, and he has served as president of the World Mariculture (Aquaculture) Society, the Fish Culture Section of the American Fisheries Society, and the International Association of Astacology. Avault is recognized as one of the founding fathers of the World Aquaculture Society (WAS) and the International Association of Astacology. The WAS home office is located on the campus of Louisiana State University.

Dr. Avault has served as a consultant or advisor in more than 25 countries on five continents. This plus his other broad experiences make him well qualified to write the book "Fundamentals of Aquaculture."