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Courtesy of the NAA:

On July 10, 2020 starting at 11:00 AM Central time, the United States Aquaculture Society along with the National Aquaculture Association and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will present a webinar on perceptions of aquaculture. To register, please click on: https://tinyurl.com/Aquaculture-Perceptions

Responsible aquaculture from marine and fresh water sources will play an important role in a sustainable food future that is more resilient to the changing climate. Research shows that the U.S. has the ecological, economic, and regulatory infrastructure to support a diverse portfolio of responsible aquaculture. Despite this, growth and expansion in the U.S., particularly in the marine environment, is negligible. This is in part due to negative perceptions held by a small, but politically active segment of the public. In this webinar we will explore the role public perceptions play in marine aquaculture growth and development in the U.S. and how we can leverage science and collaboration to take the narrative back from misinformed public campaigns.

Our guest speaker will be Ms. Kimberly Thompson the director of Seafood for the Future at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. Under her leadership Seafood for the Future has become a leader in efforts to promote the important role responsible marine aquaculture (shellfish, seaweed, and finfish) plays in efforts to meet the growing demand for food in a changing climate. She works closely with various stakeholders to assess and work toward solutions to address public misperceptions about responsible marine aquaculture. Thompson has extensive knowledge of how perceptions impact marine aquaculture development in the U.S. and California. She has been leading efforts domestically and internationally to develop and execute science-based communication tools and resources to educate diverse audiences about marine aquaculture.