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Sea Grant-NCCOS Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Siting and Development Workshop
Sponsored by National Sea Grant Office, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Maryland Sea Grant, Florida Sea Grant, Louisiana Sea Grant, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant, the Sea Grant Law Center, Texas Sea Grant, and the Meraux Foundation.
Date: February 23, 2023
Location: New Orleans area (Docville Farm).
Brief Summary of the Workshop
On February 23, 2023, MDSG and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) hosted a one-day workshop with local stakeholders throughout the Gulf of Mexico region. Throughout the day, participants learned about several tools available for aquaculture siting and development and engaged thoughtfully in various small-group discussions. Participants also learned about the state of federal aquaculture regulation and additional resources available through the Coastal Aquaculture Planning Portal (CAPP) and the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) Ocean Data Portal. Participants brainstormed features of an ideal aquaculture tool and reflected on the two tools presented throughout the day. Participants answered the following questions about each tool:
How could you improve or modify existing tools to get closer to an ideal tool?
How could co-production be effectively used to modify a tool?
How would you like assistance with using these tools?
Would you use these tools for initial aquaculture site identification (i.e., strategic) or to begin aquaculture site development (i.e., tactical)?
In addition to discussions focused on tools, participants also reflected on strategies for collaboration/co-production for developing effective tools and provided feedback on this project's process and future efforts.
This event was free of charge and was held both online and in-person. Participation was limited to invited stakeholders.
Workshop Materials
All participants were provided with a briefing book of materials.
A workshop report and other materials generated from the workshop discussions will be posted soon.
For further questions, contact:
Maryland Sea Grant Aquaculture
mdsg-aquaculture@umd.edu
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