First Wednesdays: Lecture, Cocktail Hour, and Music

Innovating the Future of Seafood

Presented by: Shannon Cosentino-Roush

The demand and consumption of aquatic (blue) foods is at an all-time high, up 483% since 1961, and only projected to increase. Yet, the production from wild-caught fisheries has leveled off and, for the first time in history, been surpassed by aquaculture. Simultaneously, our global ocean faces a dual climate and biodiversity crisis, standing to further affect its productivity and the number of people relying on aquatic foods for nutrition, food security, and employment. It’s unquestionable that we stand at a critical juncture faced with the task of figuring out how to balance global food security, livelihoods, and the sustainable management and health of our ocean.

This talk will move from problem to solution statement by showcasing examples of the key role innovation can play to: reduce the impact of wild capture fisheries, improve the benefits received by local communities, trace our seafood from vessel to plate, create efficiencies in aquaculture operations, discover new methods of producing alternative seafood (plant-based and cell-cultured), and launch new sustainability-oriented products and offerings. We all can play an important role in advancing and leveraging the innovation ecosystem for the benefit of the ocean and the many that depend on it.

Following the talk, guests will have the opportunity to visit our new exhibit: FROGS “Our Neighbors” Gallery. Guests will also experience our Paint-a-Frog and Paint-a-Fish interactives and enjoy music, crafts, and a cash-bar in our Art Gallery.

TICKETS

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DATE

Wednesday
August 7, 2024
7:00–9:00 pm PT

COST

$5.00 per ticket for advance online reservations or $10.00 per ticket on the day of the event at the door (pending availability. Please check first).

Parking is $6.00 for the for 2.5 hours in the structure located directly across from the Aquarium. Cash bar.

Speakers

Portrait of Shannon Cosentino-Roush smiling and sitting comfortably

Shannon Cosentino-Roush most recently served as the Chief Strategy Officer for Finless Foods - a cell-cultured seafood company committed to creating a future for seafood where the ocean thrives. Prior to that, she served as an ocean policy, legal, and technical expert holding positions at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington D.C., international consultancies across Europe, Asia, and Africa, and global NGOs, including Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Ocean Outcomes. Shannon holds a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and a J.D and Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s First Wednesdays series focuses on animals,nature and conservation efforts. The events bring scientists, authors, and other experts into its Honda Pacific Visions Theater for an illustrated talk paired with book signing or meet and greets and cocktail/social hours with music and crafts. The programs are best suited for high school and college students, young professionals, and adults of all ages. Lectures are also live streamed.