Didzis Ustups was a distinguished Latvian marine scientist specializing in fish biology, ecology, and fisheries management and the Head of the Fish Resource Research Department at the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR). He was also the serving Latvian delegate on ICES Council and the Latvian member of ICES Advisory Committee.
Throughout his career, Didzis made invaluable contributions to our understanding of the Baltic Sea's ecosystem dynamics. His expertise encompassed various areas, including fish population dynamics, marine ecology, and fisheries science. His research focused on understanding the ecosystem dynamics of the Baltic Sea and its coastal rivers. He has been actively involved as a fisheries expert in the development of maritime spatial planning at both national and pan-Baltic levels and this is reflected in the many ICES expert groups he was a member of such as the Baltic Fisheries Assessment Working Group, the Baltic Salmon and Trout Assessment Working Group, the Working Group on Recreational Fisheries Surveys, and the Joint ICES/HELCOM Working Group on Integrated Assessments of the Baltic Sea.
We have lost a warm and supportive friend at a young age who passionately dedicated his life to the science and sustainable management of fish resources in the Baltic Sea. Didzis' contribution to science and society has been invaluable, and his work will live on in our memories and in the success of future generations of researchers.
An amazing scientist, an unwavering supporter of Latvian science, an incredible contributor to ICES, and a wonderful colleague to all, Didzis will be greatly missed by everyone at ICES. We are profoundly saddened, and we extend our deepest sympathies to Didzis' family, friends, and colleagues.
