The Conch-Emily DeSousa

The seafood industry has a communications problem. Communications and marketing are seen as afterthoughts and sometimes outright dismissed. This dismissal perpetuates gender inequality as women hold the majority of communications and marketing roles in the seafood industry. In the newest episode of the Conch Podcast, we learn how one woman is pushing seafood communication to the forefront and ushering in a new era where women communicators are valued and recognized. Julie is joined by Emily De Sousa, a fisheries scientist, science communicator, and founder of Seaside with Emily, an online education platform that teaches the world about healthy oceans, sustainable seafood, and culinary adventures focused on the rise of pescatourism. Episode Transcript Episode Guide :00 Intro 02:58 Seafood has always been part of Emily's personal and family identity, playing a fundamental role in her life as a Portuguese-Canadian and her career communicating the science behind sustainable seafood 11:36 Emily's entrepreneurial journey is influenced by her parents, her fear of a 9-5 desk job, and a necessity to be independent 19:27 The seafood industry has a communications problem 26:04 What resonates with the seafood consumer? 28:52 Emily represents a new generation of seafood consumers and communicators. How has her age contributed to her success? (P.S. it's not all about dancing on TikTok!) 34:54 Entrepreneurship can be a lonely effort made less so with the support of mentors 39:02 The seafood industry needs fresh perspectives and the Conch Podcast showcases the breadth and depth of career opportunities in the industry 41:44 The lack of support for marketing and communications in the seafood industry perpetuates gender inequality in the sector 45:28 Emily's sage advice for women considering a career in seafood 49:33 Uplifting and amplifying a fresh voice in STEM communications! Resources: Learn more about Emily and sustainable seafood on Instagram @seasidewithemily and on her website Seaside with Emily. Find McKenzie, another great voice advancing science communication, on Instagram @_mckensea Book mentioned in the podcast: Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World by Eliza Reid, the first lady of Iceland and, like Emily, an Ottawan! Make sure to recommend this episode to anyone you think might care about the future of our ocean and women working in the sector. The Conch Podcast series is a program of Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) and made possible by generous funding from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. Audio production, engineering, editing, mixing, and sound design by Crystal Sanders-Alvarado for Seaworthy. Original music provided by Satan's Pilgrims.