Join Mike Coogan and Gabby Bradt on Get Aquacultured! as they explore diversity and inclusion in the aquaculture industry with Imani Black, the founder of Minorities in Aquaculture. Discover the untold stories of Black watermen in the Chesapeake Bay and gain actionable insights on creating a more equitable and diverse seafood industry.

In This Episode:

Guest Speaker: Imani Black – Founder and CEO of the Non-profit, Minorities in Aquaculture, Oyster farmer

Host: Mike Coogan, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, University of New Hampshire

Co-host: Gabriela Bradt, Ph.D. Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension State Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant/UNH Cooperative Extension, University of New Hampshire

Show Notes

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize the historical contributions of Black watermen and the challenges they faced in the Chesapeake Bay.
• Understand the importance of capital and community support in sustaining diverse participation in aquaculture.
• Identify the skills and traits that are valuable in aquaculture beyond academic credentials.
• Support organizations like Minorities in Aquaculture that promote workforce development and inclusivity.
• Advocate for accessible entry points into the aquaculture industry for individuals from all backgrounds.

Resources Mentioned:

• Minorities in Aquaculture Website
• Chef’s Table (Netflix Show)
• McIntosh and Son Oyster Farm
• The Grey Restaurant
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Aquaculture North America
• Sunflower Sea Star Lab
• Cultured Abalone Farm
• EE Blue Aquaculture Literacy Grant
• NOAA
• North American Association for Environmental Education

Connect With Us:

• Imani Black (Minorities in Aquaculture)
• Mike Coogan (Host)
• Gabby Bradt (Co-host)

Subscribe to Get Aquacultured:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon

Quotes:

• Imani Black: “When we go to, like, aquaculture things, we’re the only speck of pepper in a sea of salt.”
• Imani Black: “It’s not over until you say it’s over.”

Behind the Story:

Imani Black’s path wasn’t always clear. Despite a lineage of Black watermen, she initially felt like the black sheep of her family, who were mostly professionals in other fields. It wasn’t until she rediscovered her heritage and faced the realities of limited representation in aquaculture that she founded Minorities in Aquaculture, transforming her personal journey into a mission to uplift and empower others.

Take Action:

Explore the Minorities in Aquaculture website and consider applying for their internship program or becoming a host farm.

Share This Episode:

Learn how Imani Black is changing the face of aquaculture! Listen to the latest Get Aquacultured! episode and discover the importance of diversity and inclusion in the seafood industry. #aquaculture #diversity #inclusion #seafood #MinoritiesinAquaculture

Dive into the vibrant world of ornamental aquaculture with Travis Knorr, as he discusses sustainable practices for the aquarium trade. Learn how captive breeding and innovative aquaculture techniques can protect ocean ecosystems while inspiring future conservationists. Gabby Bradt and Michael Chambers explore the journey of ornamental fish from reef to home aquarium.

In This Episode:

Guest: Travis Knorr, Masters Student at University of Florida and Owner of Summerland Ocean Life

Host: Gabby Bradt, Ph.D. Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension State Specialist, New Hampshire Sea Grant/UNH Cooperative Extension, University of New Hampshire

Co-host: Mike Chambers, Ph.D. Aquaculture Research Professor at the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems

Show Notes

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the impact of wild ornamental fish collection on coral reefs.
• Learn about ornamental aquaculture and its role in marine conservation.
• Explore career paths and education in aquaculture and marine science.
• Understand the potential for repurposing existing infrastructure for coral restoration.
• Consider the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable aquaculture practices.

Resources Mentioned:

• University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory
• Summerland Ocean Life Ornamental Hatchery
• Florida Keys Community College (now College of the Florida Keys)
• Dynasty Marine
• Reef Renewal USA
• IC2R3 (International Center for Coral Restoration and Research)
• AquaFort
• EE Blue Aquaculture Literacy Grant
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
• North American Association for Environmental Education
• College of the Florida Keys Marine Environmental Technology Program

Connect With Us:

• Travis Knorr (UF/IFAS tropical Aquaculture Laboratory)
• Gabby Bradt (NH Sea Grant/University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension)
• Michael Chambers (University of New Hampshire/ Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems)

Subscribe to Get Aquacultured!

• Apple
• Spotify
• Amazon

Featured Quotes:

• Travis Knorr: “What I saw, I couldn’t ignore…these fish that were supporting my career were getting fewer and fewer. And so I started to feel pretty guilty about what I was doing.”
• Travis Knorr: “Aquaculture should be considered as a trade… If you work hard, if you’re willing to do stuff and learn that, you know, you can start building your skills that way.”

Behind the Story:

Travis Knorr’s evolution from a scuba-diving fish collector to a passionate advocate for ornamental aquaculture showcases a growing awareness within the aquarium trade. His firsthand experience with coral bleaching and biodiversity loss in the Florida Keys spurred a career change, leading him to explore sustainable alternatives that balance industry needs with environmental stewardship.

Take Action:

Explore aquaculture education programs in your region.

Share This Episode:

Learn about #ornamentalaquaculture and its potential to save our reefs! Listen to the Get Aquacultured! podcast episode with Travis Knorr. #aquaculture #marineconservation

Imagine snorkeling in the Bahamas, encountering a queen conch, and dedicating your life to saving this species. Dr. Megan Davis shares her 50-year journey from childhood fascination to leading queen conch restoration efforts throughout the Caribbean.

In This Episode:

Guest Speaker: Dr.Megan Davis– Research Professor, Florida Atlantic University, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Queen Conch Lab

Host: Mike Coogan, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, University of New Hampshire

Co-Host: Mike Chambers, Ph.D. Aquaculture Research Professor at the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the life cycle and breeding habits of queen conch, including their internal fertilization and egg-laying process.
• Explore the importance of seagrass beds for queen conch habitats and their role in carbon sequestration.
• Learn about queen conch restoration efforts in the Caribbean through mobile laboratories and community involvement.
• Identify the challenges in establishing hatcheries, including site selection and water quality.
• Consider the potential for queen conch farming, including grow-out areas, stocking densities, and pearl production.

Resources Mentioned:

• Florida Atlantic University
• Queen Conch Lab
• NOAA’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC)
• Conservacion Con Ciencia (Raymundo Espinoza)
• Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants
• Community-Based Mobile Hatcheries and Nurseries
• eConch Online Course

Connect With [Guest/Host]:

• Dr. Megan Davis, Florida Atlantic University
• Mike Coogan (University of New Hampshire/Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems)
• Michael Chambers (University of New Hampshire/Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems)

Subscribe to Get Aquacultured!

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Amazon

Featured Quotes:

• Megan Davis: “It was that very moment that I met the queen conch that I knew that was going to be the species I was going to work with for my entire career.”
• Megan Davis: “We wanted to take a very holistic approach…for the sake of the species, for the ecosystem, and also for the people who depend on the fishery.”

Behind the Story:

Dr. Megan Davis recounts her early experiences with queen conch in the Bahamas, sparking a lifelong passion for their conservation. From witnessing overfishing in the Caribbean to pioneering aquaculture techniques, her journey culminates in establishing mobile hatcheries across multiple islands, empowering local communities to restore queen conch populations.

Share This Episode:

Learn how queen conch aquaculture is saving Caribbean ecosystems on the latest Get Aquacultured! podcast. #aquaculture #conservation #queenconch