Registration Open for New NC Aquaculture Gear Management and Storm Preparedness Workshop

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Eric Herbst, echerbst@ncsu.edu, 252-222-6314
Katie Mosher, kmosher@ncsu.edu, 919-515-9069

Registration is now open for the North Carolina Aquaculture Gear Management and Storm Preparedness Workshop. This free workshop, which will take place via GoToWebinar on April 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, is open to all commercial N.C. shellfish growers.

“The state’s shellfish mariculture industry has grown substantially over the past decade and has potential for accelerated growth in coming years,” says Eric Herbst, coastal aquaculture specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant, which is a workshop sponsor. “Given the number of severe weather events affecting North Carolina’s coastal region in recent years, workshop organizers’ intent is to bring together the shellfish aquaculture community and work together to improve aquaculture gear management and storm preparedness throughout coastal North Carolina.”

In addition to the negative economic impact that lost gear can have on shellfish farmers, derelict gear can also pose navigational hazards and harm wildlife. Workshop participants will learn how to develop a storm preparedness plan for their shellfish aquaculture farm or business in line with current state initiatives to improve storm readiness. Attendees also will learn how to properly manage, maintain, and deploy their gear to avoid loss.

“This workshop will be a great opportunity to discuss the importance of environmental stewardship, and provide resources to shellfish farmers in North Carolina,” says Charles Grisafi, Southeast regional preparedness coordinator of the NOAA Disaster Preparedness Program, also a workshop sponsor. “This is the first time the workshop will be offered in the state of North Carolina.” The organizers hope to offer the opportunity in additional states, he says.

Be sure to register at: go.ncsu.edu/gear-workshop. Free aquaculture gear tags will also be provided to interested shellfish farmers who attend the workshop.

Other workshop sponsors include NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, the National Weather Service, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

Funding for the workshop and tags comes from the NOAA Southeast and Caribbean Regional Collaboration Team.

##

North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast.