Meridian Hosts Solution Design Workshop at Aquaculture 2025 Conference

Members of the Multisector Aquaculture Engagement team attended the Aquaculture 2025 Conference in New Orleans to host an interactive solution design workshop and participate in other events in support of aquaculture workforce development. These activities built on efforts over the last three years to engage diverse stakeholders around ways to enhance DEI in the sector (including by hosting a roundtable discussion at last year’s Aquaculture America Conference).

The workshop brought together 28 individuals from industry, academic, nonprofit, and government sectors to work in small groups to collaboratively design solutions to workforce challenges. The Meridian team also gave a presentation about an interactive, web-based Aquaculture Workforce Pathways Mapping Tool under development, moderated the Diversity & Inclusion in US Aquaculture Panel session, and hosted a dinner for aquaculture colleagues both old and new.

Ian Yue and Jane Slentz-Kesler attended the conference and facilitated the workshop, with behind-the-scenes support from fellow team members Meghan Massaua, Sara Schmidt, and Jessie Shires.