2015 Coastal Perspective Lecture Series

Shared on behalf of The Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, the Department of Marine Sciences, UCONN and the Maritime Studies Program, UCONN

2015 Coastal Perspective Lecture Series
Where: University of Connecticut, Avery Point
When: Tuesday, February 10th, 7:30 p.m.

“Fishers Island Oyster Farm: Microbrewed Bivalves – From Hatchery to Table”
By Steve Malinowski, Ph.D.
Fishers Island Oyster Farm, Inc., Founder/Co-Owner

During the last 10 years there has been an explosion of new oyster farms along the entire east coast that now bring to market hundreds of different varieties of oysters.   Started 35 years ago, Fishers Island Oyster Farm was one of a handful of pioneering firms that demonstrated that intensive, high density, containerized shellfish culture was not only economically viable but also among the most sustainable and environmentally friendly industries on the earth.  Driven by a model based on lifestyle, where home and family and business are one entity, Fishers Island Oyster Farm produces one of the premium oysters available on the market today and provides millions of seed oysters to dozens of other growers in the northeast.

Steve Malinowski completed his undergraduate work at Wesleyan and earned a Ph.D. from UCONN in 1985 working under Bob Whitlatch. His research was on the population ecology of Mercenaria (quahogs). While he was a student at UCONN, he and his wife Sarah began raising their six children and together started Fishers Island Oyster Farm – a classic family farm with Sarah’s specialty the children and Steve’s the bivalves.

For more information on Steve Malinowski and the Fishers Island Oyster Farm, visit: Fisher Island Oyster Farm.

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Lecture series is FREE and open to the public.  Lectures begin at 7:30 p.m., with light refreshments at 7:10.

Lectures are held in the Auditorium/Theater on the 2nd floor of the Academic Building (disabled accessible), UConn Avery Point Campus.  Enter through the Academic Building or through the Student Center.  There is a limited-capacity elevator on the first floor of the Academic Building.  Please call us with your questions, or concerns, on the limited-mobility access points to the auditorium/theater at 860-405-9025, or email Noreen.blaschik@uconn.edu.

This series is sponsored by The Connecticut Sea Grant College Program, the Department of Marine Sciences, UCONN and the Maritime Studies Program, UCONN.  For more information or a campus map, visit our website here or email CoastalPerspectives@uconn.edu.

 *** Weather related changes will be posted to the above website ***

Aquaculture and Fisheries Technologies for Food and Health Educators, Seafood Professionals, and Communicators

Aquaculture and Fisheries Technologies for Food and Health Educators, Seafood Professionals, and Communicators (Aquaculture and Fish Tech 101)

Date: April 20-23, 2015
Location: Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District, 2203 St Charles Avenue New Orleans, Louisiana 70130

Aquaculture and Fish Tech 101 is a Sea Grant sponsored in-service seafood training program designed for food technologists, dieticians, nutritionists, extension agents (home economics, fisheries, aquaculture, seafood technology, food safety, etc.), seafood industry professionals (seafood buyers, distributors, retail personnel), journalists, restaurant managers, and anyone else with interest or involvement in the seafood industry. The workshop will provide information on current issues, developments and trends for fishery and aquaculture industries and products. Program content covers technical aspects of seafood health and safety from water to table. Seafood products from wild caught and aquaculture sources will be discussed from the following perspectives: nutrition, benefits and risks, food safety, quality and handling, harvest and production methods, processing, HACCP, sourcing, distribution and marketing. In addition to national issues, the program will also address topics of regional and local and interest for the Gulf Coast. Formats will include classroom lectures/seminars, local tours of production and processing facilities in support of aquaculture and fisheries industries, demonstrations of seafood handling and preparation.

The Gulf Coast workshop in New Orleans is the third regional program offered. The East Coast workshop held from April 7-10, 2014 in Lewes, Delaware was followed by the West Coast workshop in Astoria, Oregon, October 8-10, 2014.

For additional information about the 2015 Gulf Coast workshop and program, contact:

Doris Hicks
Seafood Technology Specialist
University of Delaware Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service
Phone: (302) 645-4297
Fax: (302) 645-4213
E-Mail: dhicks@udel.edu

or visit the workshop Website here.

Sustainable Water Quality Solutions Project Introduction and Brainstorming Session

Exploring Sustainable Water Quality Solutions for Upper Narragansett Bay:
Project Intro & Brainstorming Session
Tuesday December 2, 2014: 1-4 PM
Narragansett Bay Commission
Providence, RI

You are cordially invited to a meeting to brainstorm future opportunities for the restoration and sustainable water quality management of Upper Narragansett Bay on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, 1 to 4 PM at the Narragansett Bay Commission headquarters in Providence, RI.

Background
The Rhode Island Bays, Rivers and Watersheds Coordination Team has launched a stakeholders process to identify sustainable, cost-effective management and restoration strategies that will further improve water quality and the overall ecological health of upper Narragansett Bay.

Phase one of the stakeholders process seeks to 1) identify, examine, and evaluate four to five ecosystem-based approaches that could be undertaken within the bay or along the coastline that will improve water and habitat quality , 2) identify data and research gaps regarding the most promising approaches, and 3) develop consensus on which approaches merit further pursuit and planning.

To lead this process, the Coordination Team has convened a Project Steering Committee (PSC) consisting of the organizations and individuals whose input, participation, and consensus is most needed to select and approve the most promising approaches. The PSC is supported by the Horsley Witten Group and the Consensus Building Institute.

Purpose
The PSC and consultants have initially identified four ecosystem­based management categories that merit further research and consideration:

o Shellfish & Macroalgae Cultivation & Restoration
o Reducing Tidal & Circulatory Restrictions
o Restoring Wetlands
o Enhancing Buffer Zones & Shorelines
o Stormwater Management & Green Infrastructure

This kick-off meeting will convene scientists, technical experts, and management officials with a diversity of technical expertise to share and discuss their questions, ideas, and knowledge on these categories of alternative strategies for restoring the water quality, habitats, and ecological integrity of Upper Narragansett Bay. Meeting participants will be encouraged to brainstorm and share additional options and ideas that warrant further consideration. Findings from the meeting will be used to organize a series of targeted, topical workshops to be held in the first half of 2015.

Attached here is a draft meeting agenda.

If you can possibly join us, please RSVP by Wednesday, November 26 to:

Kimberly Kirwan
kimberly.kirwan@narrabay.com
401 468 8848 x391

If you cannot join us, let us know if there is someone that we should invite in your place.
Thank you in advance for joining us. We look forward to a productive meeting!

PSC Members:
Angelo Liberti & Sue Kiernan Department of Environmental Management
Tom Uva & Pamela Reitsma Narragansett Bay Commission
Ames Colt Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds Coordination Team
Jeff Willis Coastal Resources Management Council
Jared Rhodes Statewide Planning
Tom Borden Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
Hal Walker EPA ORD Atlantic Ecology Division
Mark Nelson & Stacie Smith Horsley Witten Group & Consensus Building Institute

Memorandum of Agreement between the RIDEM and CRMC

Please find attached the newly signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) “Concerning the inspection of aquaculture farms for the purpose of ensuring food safety, public health, and enforcement of RIDEM’s Aquaculture of Marine Species in Rhode Island Waters.”

Over the last few years, the aquaculture industry, as well as CRMC and DEM, have recognized the need for a memo of understanding between both agencies concerning aquaculture activities. While CRMC generally conducts and oversees inspection of aquaculture operations in the state, the formal authority has been with DEM to perform these inspections. Both agencies and industry acknowledged that CRMC has been the recognized, capable, and practicing inspection authority and with urgings and support from DEM Division of Agriculture, the MOA was signed in October 2014, giving CRMC designated status on behalf of DEM to perform lease inspections in Rhode Island.

This MOA signifies a willingness and ability to achieve cross-agency collaboration, agency responsiveness to the needs of the industry, and overall an improved and more efficient way of doing business. Congratulations to all involved.

SMP Team

smp_moa_dem_crmc

A special thank to RI Shellfish Management Plan publication contributors.

On behalf of the SMP Team, we’d like to thank you for a successful and fun Final Event Celebration!

On Nov.17th, many gathered at the URI Bay Campus to celebrate the newly-released R.I. Shellfish Management Plan (affectionately called the SMP), a hallmark effort to improve management and science around shellfish in the state. With over 100 people in attendance, including Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senator Sosnowski, and dignitaries from our state agencies and universities, as well as the valuable presence of industry groups and citizens alike, it was an event to remember. The event was intended to be celebratory, to appreciate the monumental efforts of many individuals and groups who shaped the plan and its management and science recommendations. Good vibes and words were shared by all.

But one thing was missing from the festivities: A proper thank you to a few individuals who really were the glue behind the SMP. Unfortunately, in an attempt to keep comments brief and allow plenty of time to mingle and share kind words, we did not properly acknowledge these few individuals – As a backdrop, it is important to emphasize that behind the scenes, almost weekly for the last two years, have been five people who have helped sort through what we hear, what issues arise, what needs surface, and what actions should be taken. These individuals were Dale Leavitt (RWU), Jeff Mercer (DEM), Dave Beutel (CRMC), Monique LaFrance (GSO) and Jen McCann (CRC/RI SG). What some may not realize, which I want to impress upon you all now, is that without these folks, the SMP and all its early successes would not have happened.

It was Dale’s knowledge, experience and ability to see opportunity in any concern or issue that helped bring this SMP to life, infusing science and real-world application which lent validity, perspective, and integrity to the process and outcomes. Jeff has offered intense time and efforts on the SMP, showing industry that DEM has been listening and translating tough policies and decisions.—Jeff’s ability to work across multiple sectors of the shellfish community has brought tangible benefits to management and science.—Dave’s thoroughness in assuring a sound aquaculture management process in this state in conjunction with his belief and willingness to reach over agency lines to collaborate on important topics, has proven fruitful; Dave has been a steady island in a sea of positive changes for aquaculture, keeping people on firm ground during tough processes.—Monique’s integral efforts throughout the SMP on work such as the use maps and critical writing, has helped ensure the outcomes make sense and are tractable. And it is through Jen’s support and sound leadership that the SMP process remained true to its principles and vision of openness and broad stakeholder involvement.

And a special thank you to those in the industry – wild harvest and aquaculture – who continue to donate their time and experience to not only the SMP process, but to management overall, lending real-world knowledge and creative thinking to make this a truly democratic process.

At the event, a few individuals were recognized and received awards for giving 110% to the SMP process. Congratulations to: Mike McGiveney, Robert Rheault, Jody King, Katie Eagan, Art Ganz, Jim Arnoux, and the Rhode Island Shellfishermen’s Association for their exceptional service and contribution to shellfish.

And shout outs to all the many who made this Plan possible – THANK YOU!

Without all these folks meeting and giving their hearts and souls these last two years, we would simply be where we started in 2013: Wanting reform but with no road to get there. So thank you SMP Team – Your energy and skills are invaluable to this state!

Please visit http://www.rismp.org/the-plan/ to view the RI Shellfish Management Plan, Version II, and associated appendices. Please remember this is a living document and we encourage your feedback and comments. In 2015, CRC/RI Sea Grant will work with DEM and CRMC to develop an Implementation Plan, a Research Agenda, and activate on some of the recommendations in the SMP. We will also review and add new information to the SMP as it becomes available and will keep you updated through this listserv. Press and the SMP video will soon be posted on the website, so check back often.

Other information on the website:

If you would like to receive a copy of Rhode Island’s Shellfish Heritage: An Ecological History, available in 2015, please send an email to: smp@etal.uri.edu

Keep up the excellent work and dedication everyone – We look forward to working with you in 2015!

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