This session is organized by members of the Diversity and Inclusion (DI) committee of the United States Aquaculture Society (USAS) and welcomes all World Aquaculture Society members and conference participants. The goal of the session is to provide a safe and inclusive environment where questions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the society, and aquaculture community at large, can be discussed freely. In this relaxed-fit forum, we welcome audience participation in a structured discussion of current issues, priority areas, and on-going diversity initiatives in the USAS.  

The session will focus on the theme 'Lowering the barriers to entry for minorities in aquaculture' with a series of related presentations and a panel discussion.

Tentative schedule

1:30     Eric Saillant, George Brooks, Angela Caporelli

            INTRODUCTION AND UPDATES ON ACTIVITIES OF THE USAS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITTEE

1:45     Brian Hanson (USDA FSA San Antonio)

           AN OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO FARMERS FROM USDA FSA

2:00     Joanne Rampersad-Ammons (University of Texas Rio Grande Valley)

           BARRIERS TO CULTIVATED OYSTER MARICULTURE FACED BY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE LOWER LAGUNA MADRE

2:15     Julie Kuchepatov (Seafood And Gender Equality)

           SEAFOOD AND GENDER EQUALITY (SAGE) - ADVANCING GENDER EQUALITY IN THE SEAFOOD SECTOR

2:30     Danielle Blacklock (NOAA's Office of Aquaculture)

           ENABLING CHANGE; NOAA EFFORTS TO IMPROVE DEI IN AQUACULTURE

2:45     Gulnihal Ozbay, Dennis McIntosh (Delaware State University), Herbert Quintero Fonseca (Ohio State University)

           AQUACULTURE EDUCATION IN MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS WITH NO OFFICIAL AQUACULTURE CURRICULUM OR PROGRAM

3:00     Kevin Fitzsimmons (University of Arizona)

           NEW SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY : PREPARING HISPANIC AND OTHER UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS IN FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE

3:15     George Brooks (NxT Horizon)

           TRANSFORMATIVE AQUAPONICS: GROWING AQUACULTURE IN URBAN AREAS

3:30     Mario Marquez (Texas Sea Grant)

            EXPANDING MARICULTURE IN TEXAS

3:45     Panel discussion

            Panel members

             Imani Black (Minorities in Aquaculture), Brian Hanson (USDA FSA),

             Caird Rexroad (USDA), Danielle Blacklock (NOAA Office of Aquaculture), Lonnie Gonsalves (NOAA Stressor Detection and Impacts Division),

             Lori Greninger (Tribal Council Vice Chair), Mario Marquez (Texas Sea Grant)

4:30     Social