Episode 33: Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Sally McGee - What Is The Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition?

Sally McGee is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives at the Nature Conservancy and Leader of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition.   Sally McGee works for the Nature Conservancy where she is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives for the Global Aquaculture Program. Her areas of focus include the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, Sustaining Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), and projects focused on seaweed cultivation. Sally also developed, owned, and operated an oyster farm, Sixpenny Oysters, in Noank, Connecticut. Previously, Sally was TNC's Northeast Marine Program Director and focused on wild harvest fisheries and marine spatial planning. She was also a voting member of the New England Fishery Management Council, which governs wild harvest fisheries out to 200 miles offshore. Sally received her bachelor's degree in economics from Smith College and her master's degree in marine affairs from the University of Rhode Island. She also worked in the U.S. House of Representatives on natural resource, climate, and agriculture issues. Sally is a certified master gardener and volunteers in her local giving garden growing produce for food-insecure people in southeastern Connecticut.   TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 2:06 – Introduction 2:06 – 4:51 – What is the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition and what type of work does it do? 4:51 – 7:25 – How did you become interested in the ocean and sustainable aquaculture? 7:25 – 9:55 – Can you tell me about your time spent as the owner and operator of Sixpenny Oysters? 9:55 – 11:30 – What are some of the challenges shellfish growers currently face? 11:30 – 13:35 – What are some of the environmental benefits of shellfish in general? 13:35 – 16:00 – What are some of the environmentally sustainable practices shellfish growers use? 16:00 – 17:43 – How does the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition work with key stakeholders beyond shellfish growers such as wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and gear manufacturers? 17:43 – 19:14 – Are there any ways you recommend people eat shellfish? 19:14 – 22:42 – Can you share an example of innovative techniques sea farmers have used to grow shellfish and seaweed together? 22:42 – 25:06 – What are some examples of educational outreach shellfish growers and storytellers have done to build awareness about the benefits of shellfish growing? 25:06 – 27:23 – What do you think the future of sustainable food from the ocean will look like? 27:23 – 28:23 – Things to share and wrap up   SHELLFISH GROWERS CLIMATE COALITION INFORMATION https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/tackle-climate-change/climate-change-stories/shellfish-growers-climate-coalition/   RESOURCES Against the Tide Trailer: https://youtu.be/9h0RQ0K8rrk?si=eA-TSehGfIWzXOQo Heard on the Half Shell – Shellfish Growers Share Their Voice: https://youtu.be/PUCbJL5rjvA?si=-5Jfh_S9r8MZ76Cn Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR): https://www.nature.org/en-us/what-we-do/our-priorities/provide-food-and-water-sustainably/food-and-water-stories/oyster-covid-relief-restoration/   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 Clams Climate Mussels Oysters Sea Farmers Shellfish Shellfish Growers Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition