The Conch- Anoushka Concepcion

Imagine a thriving, climate-resilient fishing industry that’s fueled by renewable energy and led by people in boots—not suits. 

That’s the vision and reality that Sarah Schumann, Campaign Director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, is working so hard to create.

As a fisher and climate activist, Sarah knows firsthand how climate change affects fisheries and the livelihoods of the people behind them, along with the feasible, scalable solutions needed.

On Season 5, Episode 4 of The Conch podcast, we chat with her about everything from the multifaceted challenges of offshore wind development to solarizing the seafood industry. 

Audio Production and Sound Design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy Experiences.

Episode Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:36 Sarah Schumann, Campaign Director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign shares insights into the climate effects currently faced by fishermen across the U.S.
• 05:47 The Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign has four workstreams:
  • Fishery Friendly Climate Action Planning
  • Accelerating a Transition to a Low Carbon Fishing Fleet
  • Solarizing the Seafood Industry
  • Fishery-sensitive Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
• 12:16 What is needed to put the fishing industry in the driver's seat of its own energy transition
• 17:26 Conversations are key to understanding the gaps in education surrounding decarbonizing fishing fleets  
• 19:13 Supporting climate action led by people in boots, not people in suits (you can get this slogan on a t-shirt to support the campaign!)
• 22:45 The multifaceted challenges to offshore wind development and the need to co-optimize multiple federal 30X30 goals that are seemingly contradictory
• 27:41 How to join the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign
• 29:11 Sarah’s journey from environmentalist to fisher to climate activist
• 36:58 Maintaining hope in the face of the climate crisis
• 37:47 Sarah shouts out a Texan HERO and An Unreasonable Woman: A True Story of Shrimpers, Politicos, Polluters, and the Fight for Seadrift, Texas
  

Resources: 

1. Check out FisheryFriendlyClimateAction.org for more on the campaign that  provides members of the U.S. commercial fishing community with tools, networking, knowledge, and opportunities to advance robust climate solutions that work for U.S. fisheries and not at their expense.
2. Grab some swag to support this effort! 
3. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about how fishers are leading the way towards a climate resilient future.

Lost and entangled fishing gear is a big problem for BOTH people in the fishing industry and ocean ecosystems.

Thankfully, Kortney Opshaug and her team at Blue Ocean Gear are creating high-tech buoys that can track gear in the marine environment! 

Join us on Season 5, Episode 3 of The Conch podcast to hear all about Kortney’s amazing startup journey and how she’s making commercial fishing and aquaculture farms more sustainable with these exciting innovations in tech. 

Audio production and sound design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy Experiences.

Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:37 Introducing Kortney Opshaug, the CEO and founder of Blue Ocean Gear, a startup company that provides technology solutions for IOT tracking on the ocean, creating high-tech buoys that can detect and locate gear in the marine environment, including lost or entangled fishing gear
• 04:41 What exactly are these high-tech buoys and how and where can they be deployed?
• 08:58 Consulting with fishers and researchers to build the best buoy based on their needs
• 10:47  The link between Blue Ocean Gear’s buoys and sustainability
• 13:53 These buoys also help detect gear theft, an increasingly common occurrence
• 17:13 The challenges of designing technology for use on the open ocean and why creating strong partnerships is critical
• 21:08 Kortney shares her impressions of COP28, the international climate conference which she recently attended in the United Arab Emirates
• 24:00 Leaping from aerospace engineering to creating tech solutions for commercial fishermen, Kortney is using technology to bridge the gap between conservation and the fishing industry
• 25:35 The challenges of finding venture capital for a woman-led startup
• 29:38 Kortney’s advice to those in the tech sector thinking about a career in ocean tech
• 31:45 Kortney uplifts her colleagues at Blue Ocean Gear!
• 32:31 These buoys also are a solution to improving animal welfare! Kortney explains how

Resources: 

1. Check out Blue Ocean Gear for more info on these intelligent, connected buoys and supporting hardware that monitor the location and movement of any type of gear along with local conditions.
2. Interested in learning more about the results of COP28? Find five takeaways here.
3. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about the intersection of ocean and tech.

Imagine working on behalf of the ENTIRE fishing industry across America—from Alaska to Maine, from Hawaii to Florida. 

As the Executive Director of The Seafood Harvesters of America, that’s exactly what Leigh Habegger does! 

On Season 5, Episode 2 of The Conch podcast, Leigh shares all about her critical work, including how the climate crisis is currently affecting fisheries and harvesters in REAL time, along with ways we can support them in the face of these challenges.

Audio Production and Sound Design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy Experiences.

Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro

• 01:03 Introducing Leigh Habegger, the Executive Director of Seafood Harvesters of America, a first-of-its kind national commercial fishing association with members ranging from Alaska to Maine, Hawaii to Florida

• 03:39  Leigh shares some of the challenges facing members of the Association

• 05:43 A big challenge is convincing Congress and the federal government to invest in our fisheries now in order to be prepared for what’s coming (HINT: the effects of climate change are happening NOW and will continue to exacerbate until we start to address them.)

• 07:39  What are the effects of climate change that the Association’s members are experiencing in real time?

• 19:45 A big part of Leigh’s job is working the halls of Congress and supporting legislation to benefit fisheries and their future. The Magnuson-Stevens Act is an important piece of legislation—Leigh explains what it is and why it’s so important

• 25:43 As the new U.S. Commercial Industry Commissioner for ICCAT, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, Leigh recounts her experience representing the U.S. at her first multilateral meeting where countries vie for a fair share of quota to fish the several species of Atlantic tuna

• 35:03 In order to lessen inequalities in the sector, we need more awareness.

• 38:24 The importance of a strong network in your career cannot be overstated! The Bloom, SAGE’s networking community, is a great source to find like-minded people with similar challenges. 

• 41:02 Leigh’s advice to young people thinking about a career in the seafood sector

• 44:20 Leigh uplifts Hannah Heimbuch - fisher, advocate, and teacher to the one and only Martha Stewart on how to fillet a salmon!

Resources

1. 1. Check out Seafood Harvesters of America, where fishermen unite for the future.

   2. Interested in learning more about how quotas for Atlantic Tunas are allocated? Read more about ICCAT here.

   3. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about who is advocating for the U.S. commercial fisheries sector happens in the halls of Congress.

How do MICROPLASTICS wind up in marine life? 

What’s their effect on ocean ecosystems and our seafood? And most importantly, what can we do to prevent this from happening? 

Thankfully, Taja Sims-Harper is here to tell us! 

A doctoral student in the marine biology department at the University of New Hampshire, Taja’s research focuses on microplastics in oysters and other marine life. She also recently became an oyster farmer and is a proud member of Minorities in Aquaculture.

Catch all of her insights and hear about her amazing journey on Season 5, Episode 1 of The Conch podcast!

Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:20 Introducing Taja Sims-Harper, a doctoral student in the marine biology department at the University of New Hampshire studying microplastics in marine life AND seafood!
• 03:39 Taja shares her lab work and research with oysters and microplastics (BTW, it’s stinky!)
• 13:30 Taja’s journey - from Oakland to Maine; from Oregon to New Hampshire 
• 18:20 How Taja became a fan, member, and intern of Minorities in Aquaculture and what this incredible organization means to her
• 24:30 Not only a doctoral student, but also an oyster farmer! Taja walks us through what it takes to farm oysters
• 28:41 How climate change factors into Taja’s research on microplastics and as an oyster farmer
• 31:51 Favorite seafood memories usually involve oysters and Taja’s favorite is no different
• 33:39 Taja shares some hurdles she’s faced as a woman and as a Black woman throughout her career in academia and aquaculture, along with how she overcame them!

Resources: 

1. Check out this report on microplastics in seafood and the implications for human health
2. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about how microplastics are affecting our seafood.

You’ve likely heard of “calling out” someone—or letting them know that their behavior is harmful and unacceptable. 

But a tool that can drive real change is “calling someone IN” or engaging them in a deeper discussion where there’s room for questions and introspection.

So join us on Season 4, Episode 10 of The Conch podcast to hear Cameron Moore, SAGE’s Program Assistant, share on how we can call people IN to create an inclusive, diverse seafood sector built for everyone! 

And if you’re curious about… 

• How do you petition a National Park to make ranger outfits more equitable for people of all genders? 

• What’s it like being vegan while working in the seafood industry?

• How do factors like gender and race play into getting social license to farm seaweed or oysters? 

…You’ll LOVE this episode!

Episode Transcript 

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:00 Introducing Cameron Moore, SAGE’s Program Assistant!
• 03:11 There was more than just vibes that interested Cameron in the position at SAGE. 
• 06:07 Why would a vegan promote the consumption of seafood?
• 10:04 Cameron shares their efforts to build a more inclusive national parks system (Hint: ranger uniforms are problematic.)
• 17:04 Climate change is not gender neutral: the intricate connections between gender and climate change
• 22;29 Cameron shares an important “what the heck” moment they’ve experienced since entering the workforce.
• 29:10 Have you joined The Bloom? Here’s what to expect!
• 33:59 What do dismantling the patriarchy and fighting white supremacy have to do with the seafood industry?
• 38:46 Two pieces of advice for industry newcomers.
• 41:50 Not one, but two shoutouts!
• 43:37 Cameron’s favorite seafood memory involves a seafood that brings people together.

Resources: 

1. Explore SAGE’s programs!

2. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about why Gen Z is our future!

Show Notes 

Seafood can change hands many times before it reaches your plate, which is why we need to know about all of the hard-working people who helped get it there. 

Were they treated fairly? Are their rights being respected and upheld? 

Here to help answer those questions and ensure human rights due diligence across seafood supply chains is Dr. Katrina Nakamura, CEO of Sustainability Incubator! 

Tune into Season 4, Episode 9 to catch Katrina’s insights into what’s happening with forced labor in seafood, how women influence FIPs (aka: Fishery Improvement Projects), and how her diverse career path led her to the current impactful work she does today. 

Audio production and sound design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy.

Episode Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:34 Dr. Katrina Nakamura walks us through human rights due diligence in seafood: what it is and why it’s critical.
• 04:42 There are two types of human rights abuses in seafood supply chains—Katrina breaks it down.
• 10:13  Labor is the first place the seafood industry squeezes to cut costs of production. Why are low labor costs becoming less of an asset and quickly becoming a liability?
• 15:50: Katrina shares the two things that are driving improvements in labor conditions in the sector. 
• 18:26 As one of the biggest investments a company has, labor means a lot. The Labor Safe Screen is a human rights due diligence service that shows the value the company places on the relationships with their labor force.
• 24:09  You’ve uncovered abuses in your supply chains, how do you respond?  
• 29:42 The time for forced labor in seafood supply chains is up as human rights due diligence is becoming mandatory globally.
• 33:25 The victim, the villain, and the hero: Is there a correlation between environmental sustainability and forced labor?
• 37:50  Fishery Improvement Projects: what are they and how are women influencing fisheries progress in innovative, yet invisible, ways?
• 46:22 Sidelining women and upholding barriers to leadership have very real consequences that hold back progress.
• 49:32 Katrina uplifts an angel!

Resources: 

1. Explore Katrina’s work on human rights due diligence at Sustainability Incubator.
2. Read more from the International Labor Organization (ILO) about forced labor and human trafficking in fisheries.
3. Recommend this episode to one person who is concerned about forced labor in seafood production.

It’s crystal clear — seaweed aquaculture is a big part of our future! Seafood harvesters are looking for ways to diversify in the age of climate change, and farming seaweed is the path for many of them. 

But it certainly has its challenges, as any crop does, and MUST be done sustainably, safely, and ethically. That’s where Anoushka Concepcion is helping pave the way. 

As an associate extension educator with Connecticut Sea Grant, a faculty member at UConn’s Department of Cooperative Extension, and a Board Member of Minorities in Aquaculture, Anoushka works intensively with aquaculture communities, sparking conversations so everyone can work together to have seaweed benefit ALL—including growers, regulators, consumers, and kids! 

Hear all about why aquaculture as an essential path to feeding people high quality proteins with low costs so people of all ages and income levels can access health and wellness on Season 4, Episode 8 of The Conch podcast!

Audio Production and Sound Design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy.

Episode Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro
• 01:18 Anoushka Concepcion of Connecticut Sea Grant explains why 34 Sea Grant programs are the boots on the ground for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
• 05:00 What does the term “extension” mean and why is it important in aquaculture?
• 07:13 Seaweed aquaculture: the challenges are universal but not unique to Connecticut.
• 11:15 The National Seaweed Hub - what it is and why it's needed
• 16:09 How are public health concerns and food safety with seaweed aquaculture addressed?
• 19:51 How a fascination with marine science and a trip to visit family in India launched Anoushka’s career supporting seaweed farming and aquaculture production.
• 22:04 A personal experience with the dangers of kelp farming.
• 24:35 How climate change affects shellfish and seaweed farms in Connecticut. 
• 29:36 Representation is everything. Why Anoushka joined the board of Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA).
• 34:07 What the seafood industry must do to support women in the sector.
• 37:28 Anouska’s advice to address inequality in the sector - keep talking about the issues until you find people with the solutions. They’re out there!
• 43:07 Shout out to the absolute bedrock of civilization!

Resources: 

1. Read more about Anouska’s work at Connecticut Sea Grant and the National Seaweed Hub.
2. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about the multiple benefits of seaweed aquaculture!

From serving in the Peace Corps in Madagascar to serving oysters in Maine, Libby Davis is changing the industry paradigm with her mobile raw-bar and event catering company.

She and her team source world-class Maine oysters directly from a network of WOMEN-owned sea farms, delivering a best-in-class raw-bar experience while increasing visibility for underrepresented groups on the working waterfront.

To hear Libby’s story and how she’s amplifying diverse voices in aquaculture, tune into Season 4, Episode 7 of The Conch podcast.

Episode Transcript

Episode Guide

• :00 Intro

• 00:52 Introducing Lady Shuckers, Libby Davis’ mobile raw bar and event catering company on a mission to support women in aquaculture and increase representation and visibility of underrepresented groups on the waterfront.

• 02:42 Why oysters?

• 10:52 Lady Shuckers was born from a "desire to shuck oysters and change the industry paradigm"—with their support, women are making big strides in Maine’s oyster farming sector.

• 14:56 What are the barriers to women’s participation in aquaculture?

• 18:40 Libby served three years in the Peace Corps in Madagascar in 2015. She recently returned for another exchange and paints a picture of development work in one of the poorest countries in the world. 

• 30:31 Inequality is everywhere. How can we address inequality in the seafood sector? (Hint, think about how you spend your dollars!)

• 36:49 Libby gave a LOT of shoutouts in this episode:

• Amanda Moeser of Lanes Island Oysters

• Emily Selinger of Emily’s Oysters

• John Herrigel of Maine Island Oyster Company

• Jaclyn Robidoux

• Alicia Gaiero of Nauti Sisters Sea Farm

• The Briny Babe

• Andy Rogers of Jolie Rogers Traveling Raw Bar

• Sister Island Oysters

1. Resources: 

   1. Read more about Lady Shuckers mobile raw bar and catering company, the farms they source from, and grab some merch at ladyshuckers.com

   2. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about why women are drawn to the close-knit oyster farming community in Maine.

Ever wondered…

• Why do algal blooms harm fisheries? 
• How can we get a ​​farmer in Iowa to care about a shellfish farmer in the Gulf of Mexico? 
• What it takes to design aquaponics for SPACE? 
  

InspectorPlanet—aka Dr. Tracy Fanara—is here to answer all of these questions and more!

Besides her very cool role at NOAA where she dives into earth systems and investigates what’s needed to protect human lives and livelihoods from environmental threats, Dr. Tracy has appeared on everything from the Science Channel’s Mythbusters to Nat Geo’s SharkFest. 

Hear all about this real life superhero on Season 4, Episode 6 of The Conch podcast! 

Episode Transcript

Episode Guide:

• :00 Intro
• 01:11 Dr. Tracy Fanara combined sustainability and innovation to invent her alter ego, Inspector Planet, and to give young girls a role model in STEM.
• 02:12 At the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Tracy works with academia, industry, other government agencies, and scientists to protect lives and livelihoods.
• 03:11 A primer on coastal and ocean modeling and why it’s important.
• 07:44 There are no local problems.
• 10:01 Tracy, once called the “Face of Red Tide,” earned that moniker because of her holistic approach to understanding it and communicating important information to people affected by it.
• 12:39 What is the difference between toxic red tide algae and popular sea vegetables, like kelp and seaweeds, that we are starting to see on store shelves?
• 15:58 Recognizing that everything we do affects everyone else, how do we get a farmer in Iowa to care about a shellfish farmer in the Gulf of Mexico?
• 19:48 Tracy was THIS close to going to space on the SpaceX journey to the moon. What happened?
• 20:20 Why space, when Earth? The answer might surprise you.
• 25:13 If you’re not ok with failing, you’re not ok with winning. Why failure excites Tracy.
• 29:29 Change is coming—more women are advancing into careers in STEM. 
• 32:59 Tracy is a climate optimist and everyone can play a role in addressing the climate crisis.
• 36:06 Shoutouts!

Resources: 

1. Read more about Dr. Tracy and why everything is connected at Inspector Planet.
2. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about the incredible potential of aquaponics in space!

If 10 years ago somebody had told Tia Clark she’d be a professional crabber, she’d have told that person to jump back into their spaceship.

Today, Tia leads people of all ages on crabbing expeditions through her booming Charleston business, Casual Crabbing With Tia, which is recognized as one of AirBnb’s TOP Experiences in the world! 

On Season 4, Episode 5 of The Conch podcast, she shares what it means to “casually” crab, why growing up in a big Gullah Geechee family shaped her connection to the water, and how she deals with imposter syndrome in moments when she can’t quite believe she’s teaching people the art of crabbing.

Episode Transcript:

Episode Guide:

• :00 Intro
• 01:08 Tia Clark went to the pier to throw a crab net to regain her health, a simple act that changed her entire soul and life’s trajectory.
• 02:49 Through Casual Crabbing, Tia shares her experience of building a relationship with the water. Here’s how it looks.
• 05:55 Casual Crabbing is also Tia’s love letter to her hometown of Charleston, as people buy licenses to crab, which are reinvested to put life back into the water.
• 08:12 How do we cultivate organic stewards of an important resource when they don’t have access to that resource? 
• 12:56 It’s never too late to change your life’s path. How Tia went from 20 years in the food and beverage sector to an experience that figuratively “cracked her head open.”
• 15:29 Casual Crabbing with Tia started as an AirBnb Experience and is recognized as one of AirBnb’s best in the world.
• 24:10 While a huge challenge, COVID spurred the next evolution of the Casual Crabbing experience. 
• 28:17  Tia grew up in a big Gullah Geechee family, which meant eating a lot of seafood, especially blue crabs. However, somewhere along the line, she lost her love of cooking food for her culture and heritage. The act of crabbing brought it all back.
• 30:58 Why did Tia never go crabbing when she was a child?
• 33:02 Tia’s experience as a woman on the water and why only men get pinched by the crabs.
• 37:53 Three tips to fight your inner imposter.
• 41:04 Career advice: work for joy, not money, and (echoing past podcast guest Stephanie Harris-Uyidi!) do it scared.
• 46:06 Tia gives an inspirational shoutout to a mentor and friend.

Resources: 

1. Learn more about how to join Tia on a Casual Crabbing experience.
2. Visit Charleston Water Keepers and the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement (SCORE) Program to learn more about how, along with Tia, these organizations educate, empower, and engage the communities around Charleston, creating organic stewards who care about their watersheds.
3. Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about how fishing and crabbing can not only bring food to your table, but health and happiness to your life.