FROM PLANNING TO PRACTICE: AN UPDATE ON THE EVOLUTION OF NOAA’S AQUACULTURE LITERACY EFFORTS

Public awareness of seafood farming and perceptions of the intended benefits to industry expansion play an important role in unlocking its full potential to support healthy people, a healthy planet, and a healthy economy. However, there is still limited public understanding regarding environmental impacts, quality, and safety that creates a significant barrier to advancing seafood farming in the United States. At Aquaculture America in 2018, NOAA unveiled an agency initiative to address this public knowledge barrier. Over the course of the past 5 years, the agency implemented a multifaceted approach to engaging and educating the public on seafood farming practices and the science, services, and policies NOAA has to offer in support of the sector.

This presentation will highlight the evolution and impacts of these ongoing efforts, including:

• The Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers (CELC) Aquaculture Education Initiative that is working to engage millions of aquarium visitors on the environmental, social, and economic benefits of seafood farming,
• Efforts to support and empower cross-sectoral partnerships through a Community of Practice for Aquaculture Literacy (CoPAL),
• NOAA Fisheries, Office of Education, and Sea Grant’s partnership with the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) which funded ten aquaculture literacy mini-grant projects from 2021-2022.
• A look ahead at efforts of NOAA Fisheries to equip trusted messengers of information with the knowledge needed to develop credible, salient, and engaging seafood outreach and communications.

From career exploration to teacher professional development, and from supporting aquarium partners around the country to co-managing funding opportunities with leaders in environmental education, NOAA reaches multiple audiences in a variety of settings. Join us to continue this discussion of seafood farming education, outreach, and communication strategies that improve seafood literacy and help consumers more confidently navigate their decisions about working waterfront industries and their products.