Episode 32: Deer Isle Oyster Company Abby Barrows - How Can Oysters Provide Healthy Food and Benefit the Environment?

Abby Barrows is the Owner and Operator of Deer Isle Oyster Company and microplastics research scientist.   Abby Barrows grew up and currently lives on an island off the coast of Maine. The ocean has been her passion driving her personal and professional path. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Philosophy in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic. Directing microplastics research since 2012, she initiated the first baseline data map of microplastic pollution distribution in Maine. She concluded her work as the Principal Investigator for the Global Microplastics Initiative with Adventure Scientists. Through the help of citizen scientists, they compiled one of the largest global datasets on every ocean and continent in the world, enabling a rare glimpse at the extent of plastic contamination in remote, understudied ocean and fresh waters. Her interests are in research, oyster and seaweed farming, field methodology, education, disruptive innovation, and utilizing scientific data to drive policy and legislation to reduce single-use plastic locally and globally.   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:46 – Introduction 1:46 – 2:40 – How did you become interested in the ocean? 2:40 – 4:44 – Can you tell me about your career path including your microplastics research? 4:44 – 6:29 – How did you make the leap into microplastics research and what were some of the big findings that you discovered? 6:29 – 9:06 – When did you first become interested in aquaculture and how did you start Deer Isle Oyster Company? 9:06 – 11:36 – Can you tell me a little about where you farm your oysters and what makes that location unique? 11:36 – 13:50 – What are some of the interesting characteristics about the oysters you grow? 13:50 – 17:07 – What do you wish people knew about oysters and aquaculture in general? 17:07 – 18:20 – What are some of your favorite ways to eat oysters? 18:20 – 21:48 – I understand you've been working to reduce plastic in the oyster farming industry. Can you tell me a little bit about this work? 21:48 – 24:12 – What are some of the challenges you face as an oyster farmer and may shellfish growers face in general and how can they be overcome? 24:12 – 25:50 – What are some of the ways you have worked to increase awareness about oyster farming? 25:50 – 27:02 – Things to share and wrap up   DEER ISLE OYSTER CO AND ABBY BARROWS INFORMATION https://www.deerisleoysterco.com/ https://abbybarrows.com/   RESOURCES Antarctica: At the Intersection of Technology and Climate Action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCCMekuepeg Mushroom buoys could be contender in fight to reduce ocean plastics in Bangor Daily News: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2022/04/20/down-east/mushroom-buoys-ocean-plastics-joam40zk0w/ To cut ocean plastic pollution, aquaculture turns to renewable gear in Civil Eats: https://civileats.com/2022/06/27/to-cut-ocean-plastic-pollution-aquaculture-turns-to-renewable-gear/ The Maine microplastics researcher reenvisioning aquaculture in Down East: https://downeast.com/land-wildlife/microplastics-aquaculture-maine/ Aquaculture and the plastic problem in edible Maine: https://www.ediblemaine.com/stories/aquaculture-and-the-plastic-problem/   FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1 RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet   TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability Aquaculture Oysters Plastic