In this episode of "Doing What Works: Exploring the Blue Economy," we delve into the exciting world of the blue economy with Eliza Harrison, Director of California Operations at Ocean Rainforest. Eliza shares her journey into the aquaculture space, discussing the challenges and opportunities of seaweed cultivation and its potential to mitigate climate change. From navigating the complexities of permitting to fostering community buy-in, Eliza provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of ocean farming.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- The importance of stakeholder engagement in aquaculture projects.
- Challenges and opportunities in obtaining permits for ocean farming.
- The multifaceted uses of seaweed and its potential role in the blue economy.
- Strategies for building a sustainable and resilient aquaculture industry.
- The intersection of traditional fishing practices and emerging aquaculture operations.
About Our Guest
Eliza Harrison is a marine biologist and dedicated advocate for sustainable seafood, significantly supporting a healthy ocean. As a Project Manager at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Seafood for the Future program, she promotes responsible aquaculture and fisheries management. Eliza's expertise bridges the gap between scientific research and consumer awareness, inspiring individuals to make informed choices and contribute to a healthy ocean.
Impactful Quotes
"I worked for the Santa Fe New Mexican, their teen reporting section. That was my kind of foray into the professional space, and I think really what it helped me learn was the importance of communicating with people and then being able to listen very openly and honestly."
– Eliza Harrison
"I heard a presentation that was kind of extolling the potential value of seaweed farming, specifically as a way to provide a meaningful source of food for the global community but also as a way to sequester carbon. And, you know, as someone from New Mexico, the ocean has never really been on my radar as an interesting place to kind of dedicate this interest or energy that I have toward mitigating the effects of climate change."
– Eliza Harrison
"One of the things that makes us unique as a company is that we have a fully integrated supply chain, which means we have the capacity to produce our own seedlings and then run that through seeding production, seed outplanting, harvesting, and then preliminary processing."
– Eliza Harrison
"The blue economy takes the idea of transforming our relationship with land and brings it over to the ocean."
– Eliza Harrison
