The Conch podcast
This week in Season 6, Episode 3 of The Conch podcast, we’re revisiting Season 3 in our ongoing recap series with Julie, Cameron, and Crystal from Seaworthy! From the rise of tinned fish queens to the grit of seafood entrepreneurs, we reflect on the stories and themes that made our third season unforgettable. What stood out? Women leading the tinned fish trend The power (and challenge) of family-founded businesses Why people stay committed to seafood despite the obstacles Plus, catch up on where some of our guests are now! Episode Transcript Episode Guide 00:05 Julie and...
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In Season 6, Episode 2 of The Conch podcast, Julie, Cameron, and Crystal from Seaworthy keep the retrospective rolling, this time diving into the highlights of Season 2. From oyster deep-dives to the balance between wild and farmed seafood, this season was packed with big conversations. Tune in for reflections on seafood as a nutritious food source (not just a commodity), updates on favorite past guests, and plenty of oyster love along the way! Episode Transcript Episode Guide 00:05 SAGE’s Julie and Cameron and Crystal from Seaworthy continue the recap of five seasons of The...
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We’re kicking things off with a special retrospective series—each episode will look back at a different season of the podcast, starting with the one that launched it all back in late 2021. In this first episode, Julie and Cameron from SAGE join Crystal from Seaworthy Experiences to revisit Season 1 and the big themes that shaped it, including: How racism fuels forced labor in seafood What’s changed since the pandemic Gen Z’s influence on the industry Plus, learn where some of our very first guests are now & hear more about 𝗜𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥,...
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The world needs to know about the power of ✨𝗦𝗘𝗔 𝗩𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦✨—how they’re regeneratively farmed, why they improve our coastal communities, and ways they shine as a culinary ingredient. 🌊🌿 In fact, there’s so much to unpack on this fascinating topic that we brought on seaweed advocate Rachelle Hacmac to The Conch podcast! Rachelle is one of the co-founders of Winter Waters, an amazing seaweed-centric regenerative seafare dining series that is leading this conversation in Oregon. So hear all about sea veggies—including 3...
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Have you heard of the GREEN CRAB, which is commonly known as the “world’s worst invasive species?” Harming ecosystems and other species, the green crab is bad news—which makes it a great species to eat! But how do you go about building a culinary market for an invasive species, especially given that many Americans don’t stray too far from seafoods like salmon, tuna, and shrimp? Here to tell us on Season 5, Episode 9 of The Conch podcast is Mary Parks, the amazing Executive Director of Greencrab.org. On a mission to spread awareness of its invasive impact, Mary’s taking...
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How can we use AI and Machine Learning to support Arctic fishing, shipping, and kelp mariculture—all of which are increasingly impacted by the climate crisis? Leslie Canavera, a Yup’ik Alaska Native and the CEO of PolArctic, is here to tell us on the latest episode of The Conch podcast! The PolArctic team developed the “first AI model of its kind to treat Indigenous Knowledge and Western science as equals, training with and validating both knowledge systems.” If you’re curious to hear how merging these two knowledge bases has helped strengthen the seafood industry in the...
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When does a rising tide NOT lift all boats? How does U.S. militarization affect the people of Palau and their seafood? And, in what ways do economic, racial, gender, and environmental justice issues intersect in the seafood sector? We’ve got some mighty BIG questions on the latest episode of The Conch, and THE person to answer them. On Season 5, Episode 7, Dr. Caroline Ferguson Irlanda shares her eye-opening insights and solutions to pressing challenges. A postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University and the host of Surf and Turf Podcast, Dr. Caroline and her podcast...
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In what ways do food and social justice intersect? How can we help formerly incarcerated youth develop culinary careers? And why is it so important to support independent Black farmers? Chef Mavis-Jay Sanders digs into all of this with us on Season 5, Episode 6 of The Conch podcast! A James Beard Award-Winning chef, culinarian, and storyteller, Chef Mavis-Jay has supported so many wonderful organizations and initiatives, from the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture to the Queer Food Foundation (which she helped found!). So join us for this episode where she shares her...
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Whether you’re brand new to OYSTERS or have been obsessed for years, you’ll want to get to know Kamille Harris and Jasmine Hardy, the amazing gals behind @BlackGirlsNOysters! The Atlanta-based duo joins us on Season 5, Episode 5 of The Conch podcast to talk about the power of social media in spreading seafood positivity with the world, why representation matters, and their oyster eating tips. Episode Guide :00 Intro 01:46 The first taste of an oyster leads to an obsession. Introducing Jasmine Hardy and Kamille Harris, aka @blackgirlsnoysters on Instagram! 04:27 ...
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Imagine a thriving, climate-resilient fishing industry that’s fueled by renewable energy and led by people in boots—not suits. That’s the vision and reality that Sarah Schumann, Campaign Director of the Fishery Friendly Climate Action Campaign, is working so hard to create. As a fisher and climate activist, Sarah knows firsthand how climate change affects fisheries and the livelihoods of the people behind them, along with the feasible, scalable solutions needed. On Season 5, Episode 4 of The Conch podcast, we chat with her about everything from the multifaceted challenges of...
info_outlineHow do MICROPLASTICS wind up in marine life?
What’s their effect on ocean ecosystems and our seafood? And most importantly, what can we do to prevent this from happening?
Thankfully, Taja Sims-Harper is here to tell us!
A doctoral student in the marine biology department at the University of New Hampshire, Taja’s research focuses on microplastics in oysters and other marine life. She also recently became an oyster farmer and is a proud member of Minorities in Aquaculture.
Catch all of her insights and hear about her amazing journey on Season 5, Episode 1 of The Conch podcast!
Episode Guide
- :00 Intro
- 01:20 Introducing Taja Sims-Harper, a doctoral student in the marine biology department at the University of New Hampshire studying microplastics in marine life AND seafood!
- 03:39 Taja shares her lab work and research with oysters and microplastics (BTW, it’s stinky!)
- 13:30 Taja’s journey - from Oakland to Maine; from Oregon to New Hampshire
- 18:20 How Taja became a fan, member, and intern of Minorities in Aquaculture and what this incredible organization means to her
- 24:30 Not only a doctoral student, but also an oyster farmer! Taja walks us through what it takes to farm oysters
- 28:41 How climate change factors into Taja’s research on microplastics and as an oyster farmer
- 31:51 Favorite seafood memories usually involve oysters and Taja’s favorite is no different
- 33:39 Taja shares some hurdles she’s faced as a woman and as a Black woman throughout her career in academia and aquaculture, along with how she overcame them!
Resources:
- Check out this report on microplastics in seafood and the implications for human health
- Recommend this episode to one person who is curious about how microplastics are affecting our seafood.