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Weirich Joins National Sea Grant Aquaculture Team

Chuck Weirich worked with many shellfish growers.
Chuck Weirich, at left, worked with many shellfish growers. Photo courtesy Chuck Weirich.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Katie Mosher, 919-515-9069, kmosher@ncsu.edu

Chuck Weirich joins the National Sea Grant Office today as an aquaculture manager. Weirich, who had been with North Carolina Sea Grant in recent years, has decades of aquaculture science and industry expertise.

“We look forward to working with Chuck in his new position,” notes Frank Lopez, North Carolina Sea Grant’s extension director. Lopez is currently leading the N.C. program’s aquaculture efforts, including the search for a new coastal aquaculture specialist.

In 2018, Weirich was a founding partner in the North Carolina Shellfish Initiative with state and federal agencies, growers and community organizations. That year he also played a key role in helping the state’s aquaculture industry identify losses from hurricanes Florence and Michael. His North Carolina Sea Grant roles also included applied and collaborative research regarding growing practices for oysters, sunray venus clams, scallops and blue crabs. His past industry roles including working on sturgeon aquaculture.

In the National Sea Grant Office, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, Weirich will work with Mark Rath, Kola Garber, NOAA partners, the Sea Grant network and others to administer Sea Grant’s aquaculture funding opportunities and advance the industry through increased scientific understanding and sustainable practices.

Collaborative research often means long days of working with growers. Photo by Baxter Miller.
Collaborative research often means long days of working with growers. Photo by Baxter Miller.

Learn more about National Sea Grant’s work in aquaculture.

Check out North Carolina Sea Grant’s posting for a coastal aquaculture specialist:
https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/122466

Learn more about Weirich’s research with N.C. shellfish growers:
Farming Coastal Waters: Applied Research Supports Oyster Growers