Shellfish Aquaculture Innovation and Resilience Bolstered by Farmer-led Projects as Performed by the SOAR Program
The Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR) Program, a joint initiative of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Pew Charitable Trusts (Pew), has announced 47 recipients of the Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund. The Fund, which can be found at our website/SOAR, supports farmer-led projects across 18 coastal states, aiming to bolster ecosystem health and coastal livelihoods.
In Louisiana, projects such as Barataria Beauties Oyster Co's Solar Powered Refrigeration for Storage and Mobile Transportation and Oyster Girl Oysters, LLC's Efficient Oyster Farming Using a Novel Cage Flipping System, have received funding. Alma Bryant High School in Southern Alabama will use its second award to improve the infrastructure of its oyster academy.
The Fund's priorities were established with the support of a steering committee, including representatives from government agencies, growers, aquaculture associations, academia, and non-governmental organizations. Boze Hancock, TNC's senior marine restoration scientist, stated that responsibly managed shellfish farms benefit the environment, making the shellfish sector a powerful ally in marine conservation.
In Alaska, the fund will help Kodiak Ocean Bounty educate youth on algae production, an essential step towards building the state's first rural Tribal shellfish nursery. OceansAlaska's Alaskan Shellfish Hatchery Intern Program is another project in Alaska that will receive funding.
Zack Greenberg, an officer with Pew, stated that a third of the projects supported by the Fund will bolster training and mentorship programs or support engagement with communities underrepresented in the aquaculture industry. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has contributed to the financing of the Shellfish Growers Resiliency Fund since 2021.
The shellfish industry is facing environmental challenges and market bottlenecks that could limit its future growth. However, the Fund demonstrates the opportunity for collaboration between shellfish farms and marine conservation. The SOAR Program facilitates connections across industry, academia, and coastal communities, ensuring that the benefits of sustainable aquaculture are shared by all.
Laura Rodriguez, senior program officer at Builders Initiative, reiterated the focus on farmer-led projects, stating, "The Fund supports projects that are driven by the farmers themselves, fostering innovation and resilience in the industry." The new projects will continue to bolster ecosystem health and coastal livelihoods, ensuring a sustainable future for the shellfish sector.
Read also:
- European transportation's sustainability and competitiveness rely on a "green industrial agreement" that serves the interests of both corporations and residents, as discussed in an Editorial from August 2024.
- Indian Oil Corporation's Panipat Refinery secures India's inaugural ISCC CORSIA accreditation for Sustainable Aviation Fuel production
- Porsche Macan Accelerates into Second Generation of Electric Power
- Increasing Trend Downthe Globe: A Growing Number of Individuals Opt for Electric Vehicles Over Long Distances
