The Importance of Sustainable Aquaculture in Our Future | Perry Raso | TEDxProvidence
Summary
TLDRThe speaker recounts starting clam harvesting at age 12, leading to a career in aquaculture and fisheries. After realizing the potential of aquaculture to meet the growing demand for seafood sustainably, they pursued studies and eventually established a successful oyster farm in Rhode Island. The farm expanded to include a restaurant and organic vegetable farming, demonstrating the viability of farm-to-plate operations and the importance of sustainable seafood production.
Takeaways
- π The speaker started his career in clam harvesting at the age of 12, learning the trade in Point Judith Pond, Rhode Island.
- π§ He experienced the harsh realities of commercial fishing, including the physical demands and economic uncertainties of the industry.
- π« Despite initial aspirations to become a doctor, the speaker realized his passion for the ocean and pursued a degree in aquaculture and fisheries technology.
- π± Aquaculture is identified as the fastest-growing food-producing business globally, with a critical role in addressing the gap between seafood supply and demand.
- π The speaker discovered a scholarship opportunity to study in Africa, which was a turning point in his life and career direction.
- π In Cape Verde, he recognized the potential of aquaculture to meet global needs, not just for personal livelihood but for poverty alleviation and protein provision.
- π The speaker's goal became to establish aquaculture farms in developing countries, contributing to sustainable food production and economic development.
- π¦ͺ He successfully scaled his own shellfish farm from one acre to multiple acres, selling to local and national markets, demonstrating the viability of small-scale aquaculture.
- π½οΈ The speaker diversified his business by purchasing a waterfront property and establishing a restaurant, which became renowned and contributed to the farm-to-table movement.
- πΏ He expanded into organic vegetable farming, further integrating agriculture with his seafood business and enhancing the farm-to-plate concept.
- π Rhode Island's shellfish aquaculture has seen significant growth, increasing production by over 800 tons in 20 years, illustrating the potential for sustainable seafood production globally.
Q & A
At what age did the speaker start his career in clam harvesting?
-The speaker started his career in clam harvesting at the age of 12.
What method was used by the speaker and his friend to harvest clams initially?
-They used a rake with a t-handle to drag through the sediment and collect clams.
How did the speaker's experience in clam harvesting evolve over the years?
-The speaker became more efficient at clam harvesting, started scuba diving, and eventually studied aquaculture and fisheries technology at the University of Rhode Island.
What was the speaker's initial fear about his career in clam harvesting?
-The speaker was initially afraid that he would not be able to afford a house, which he learned costs $200,000, and was scared of being homeless.
What were the three realizations the speaker had while in college in Colorado?
-He realized he wouldn't get into medical school, he was financially on his own and accumulating student debt, and he loved working on the ocean.
What is the definition of aquaculture according to the speaker?
-Aquaculture is the growing of aquatic species, including seafood like fish and shellfish, as well as other products like seaweeds used for food and everyday products.
Why is aquaculture considered necessary for meeting the growing demand for seafood?
-Aquaculture is necessary because there is a widening gap between the supply and demand of seafood, with more people fishing and catching more fish, but the demand for seafood is still climbing.
What was the turning point for the speaker in deciding to focus on aquaculture in developing countries?
-The turning point was when he saw a chalk message about a scholarship to study in Africa, which led him to Cape Verde to study the potential of aquaculture.
How does the speaker describe the sustainability of shellfish farming in comparison to other forms of aquaculture?
-The speaker describes shellfish farming as the epitome of sustainable agriculture, as shellfish filter water, eat phytoplankton, and increase biodiversity in the area.
What was the speaker's initial business venture after graduating from college?
-The speaker started with a one-acre oyster farm, which he gradually expanded and eventually sold oysters to local restaurants, farmers markets, and wholesalers.
What was the speaker's strategy to increase the 'farm to plate' appeal of his business?
-The speaker started growing organic vegetables in addition to oysters, which increased the farm to plate aspect of his business and provided customers with fresher and better products.
Outlines
π§ Early Career in Clam Harvesting
The speaker begins by recounting their early career in clam harvesting, starting at the age of 12. They and a friend would sneak behind cottages to Point Judith Pond to dig for clams. They describe the process of clamming using a rake with a t-handle and how they would find clams worth two or three dollars each time. Over the next 15 years, the speaker became more efficient, even scuba diving for clams, but always with a sense of nervousness about making a living from it. They also mention the fear of not being able to afford a house and the drive that fear instilled in them.
π College and the Realization of Aquaculture's Potential
The speaker moved on to college with the initial goal of becoming a doctor, inspired by the TV show 'ER'. However, they quickly realized three things: they wouldn't get into medical school, they were financially on their own and accumulating student debt, and they loved working on the ocean. This led them back to Rhode Island to study aquaculture and fisheries technology at the University of Rhode Island. They learned about the rapid growth of aquaculture and the widening gap between the supply and demand for seafood. The speaker also discovered a scholarship opportunity to study in Africa, which they took to explore the potential of aquaculture in Cape Verde, realizing its potential to address global needs.
π± The Growth of Sustainable Aquaculture and a Personal Success Story
The speaker discusses the importance of sustainable aquaculture, emphasizing the need to increase seafood production to meet growing demand without depleting marine resources. They highlight the environmental benefits of shellfish farming, which includes filtering water and increasing biodiversity. The speaker shares their personal journey of starting an oyster farm on one acre of land, which grew to supply a significant amount of oysters to various markets. They also purchased a commercial property with docks, which led to the establishment of a successful restaurant, named one of the top oyster bars in the world. The speaker concludes by emphasizing the potential of aquaculture to meet global seafood demand sustainably, one acre at a time.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Aquaculture
π‘Little Neck clams
π‘Supply and demand gap
π‘Sustainability
π‘Shellfish farming
π‘Biodiversity
π‘Uncertainty
π‘Finfish farming
π‘Seafood demand
π‘Developing countries
π‘Farm-to-plate
Highlights
At 12 years old, the speaker began his career by clamming for the bullring, using a rake to collect clams from the sediment.
Clamming was a commercial activity for the speaker, which he pursued for 15 years, becoming more efficient and eventually scuba diving.
The speaker's initial career aspiration was to become a doctor, influenced by the TV show 'ER', but he realized he was more suited to working on the ocean.
Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic species, is identified as the fastest-growing food-producing business in the world.
There is a widening gap between the supply and demand of seafood, with demand increasing due to wealth, health consciousness, and population growth.
Developing countries are seen as ideal for aquaculture due to less user group conflict and a greater interest in growing food.
The speaker's life was changed by a chalk-written scholarship opportunity to study in Africa, leading to a realization of aquaculture's potential.
Aquaculture in developing countries is seen as a solution for protein sources and poverty alleviation.
The speaker emphasizes the need for environmentally friendly aquaculture to avoid industry self-sabotage.
Shellfish farming is highlighted as a sustainable form of agriculture, with benefits to biodiversity and aquatic vegetation.
The speaker's personal journey includes starting an oyster farm on a barren sand flat, which expanded to a significant operation.
The speaker's business model evolved to include a restaurant and organic vegetable farming, enhancing the farm-to-plate concept.
The restaurant, built on the need for docks for the oyster farm, became a top-rated oyster bar and employs over 200 people.
Rhode Island's shellfish aquaculture has increased production by over 800 tons in the last 20 years, demonstrating the potential for global seafood demand fulfillment.
The speaker concludes with a message of optimism, suggesting that global seafood demand can be met one acre at a time through sustainable aquaculture.
Transcripts
so when I started my career I was 12
years old me and a friend of mine snuck
behind some one summer cottage and to
Point Judith Pond a Salt Pond in
southern Rhode Island we're gonna go
digging for Little Neck clams for the
bullring just like this how this works
is he pulling that t-handle and he drag
those teeth through the sediment the
clams pop into the basket so there we
were 12 years old standing in waist-deep
water chest deep water pulling on the
handle every few minutes
you pull the rake up shake the sediment
out shake all the mud out and that day
every time I pulled up the rake there
was two or three dollars worth of clams
in there for the next 15 years and I
would commercially harvest every year I
get more efficient at it started scuba
diving form people would say things like
it's great they have a job doing
something that you love and I think to
myself I don't love this this is the
best way I know how to make a living
nothing to love about putting on a cold
wet suit early in the morning but I was
always nervous I was nervous about how I
would make a living I'll never forget
learning that a house costs $200,000 how
was I ever gonna afford $200,000 I was
scared I was gonna be homeless it was a
fear that drove me I went away to
college with some help from a Division
two wrestling coach I was a terrible
high school student but in college I was
gonna prove everybody wrong I was gonna
be a doctor it was around the time
ER came out I think that had something
to do with it and I learned three things
in Colorado one is there's no way I'm
gonna get into medical school
- is that financially I was on my own I
had no safety net I was racking up
student debt and that that scared me the
third thing I realized was that I loved
working on the ocean I loved
the you know the rocky mountains are
beautiful but nothing beats the Atlantic
so I came back to Rhode Island where I
could harvest shellfish and pay tuition
at the University of Rhode Island
I studied aquaculture and Fisheries
technology aquaculture is the growing of
aquatic species people grow seafood fish
shellfish people also grow things like
seaweeds analogies that are not only
used for food but used for everyday
products like toothpaste ice cream even
baby formulas pharmaceuticals
aquaculture is the fastest growing food
producing business in the world at
Fran's line and in the next 50 years we
are going to have to grow more seafood
than we've grown in the existence of
mankind
the reason we need aquaculture is
because there's a widening gap between
the supply and the demand of seafood if
you think about last thousand years more
and more people have gone fishing
catching more and more fish people have
gotten more efficient Industrial
Revolution we went from steam powered
engines to combustion powered engines we
got more efficient at capturing fish all
the technology sonar radar the boats
know right where to go they can see the
fish underwater they know the best
fishing grounds they remember them and
so year after year more people go
fishing year after year more fish have
been caught until about 20 years ago
when we saw a decline or a plateau in
some cases of the fisheries however the
demand for seafood is not plateauing
it's climbing it's climbing with wealth
it's climbing with people eating more
health consciously seafoods a great
protein choice it's also climbing with
population so we have a widening gap
between the supply and the demand of
seafood interestingly most of the
population growth is happening in
developing countries developing
countries are a great place for
aquaculture because they don't have as
many user group conflicts as we do here
in the US we don't have people jet
skiing over there water skiing they're
more interested in growing food so while
I was at URI I'm walking down the
sidewalk in front of the memorial
Union I got my head down and they're
written in chalk was it said scholarship
to study in Africa some information
about how to uh how to apply it was a
website I just figured out how to use
the internet not because just came out
because I thought it was gonna go away
and eventually I had to figure out I had
to figure out how to use it in that year
I've learned luckily and so whoever
wrote got in their hands and knees and
wrote that in chalk on the sidewalk
changed my life a few months later I
traveled to Cape Verde to study the
potential of aquaculture in Kate Verdun
it was there that I realized that
aquaculture was not just a potential way
for me to earn a living
aquaculture was a potential answer to
many of the world's needs at that point
I decided my goal in life would be to
help start farms in developing countries
to provide a protein source and for
poverty alleviation and because I love
the adventure usually when I went on
these trips I learned a lot more than I
taught farms varied in size from
subsistence farms like the ones in this
slide to industrial farms like the one
on the top right of the screen we are
going to need to grow one-and-a-half
million tons more seafood every year in
order to meet the growing demand of
seafood and we're not going to be able
to just harvest it out of the ocean
we've maxed that out we'll be lucky if
we can persist at the level we're at we
have to grow it we have to grow the
seafood and we have to do it in an
environmentally friendly way not just to
sound good to say that but otherwise the
industry will shoot itself in the foot
we can't go peeling up mangrove forests
or salt marshes because eventually we'll
run out so you have to remember
industrialized aquaculture is only a
couple decades old industrialized
terrestrial traditional agriculture has
been going on for hundreds of years
we figured out some really good ways of
growing things figured out some bad
great ways of growing things fish
farming has come a long way in the last
couple decades and don't take my word
for it if you look at the most popular
website that shows the the list of
sustainable seafood Monterey Bay watch a
seafood watch it list most of
farm-raised salmon are now listed as
good choices our best choices fin fish
farmer is coming off a long way in the
next the last 20 years fin fish farming
has still has a long way to go to
shellfish farming shellfish farming is
the epitome of sustainable agriculture
aquaculture sounds like agriculture
aquaculture is agriculture and shellfish
farming is sustainable agriculture
shellfish filter the water eating
phytoplankton microscopic plants are
naturally occurring in the water using
them for growth reproduction energy that
increases the amount of light that can
reach the sea floor increasing aquatic
vegetation it also makes more oxygen
available to other living things in the
bays and estuaries which are so
important to our wild capture fisheries
there's 10 to 10,000 times more
biodiversity within austere farm than
there is in an adjacent water body it
increases the number of living things in
area so I'm telling this to my buddy cam
and he says well that's great how are we
gonna increase sea food production by
one and a half million tons a year
though and I didn't have an answer so I
do what I always did I I called it one
of my mentors and I said hey how are we
gonna do this and he said well you
started a shellfish farm and a whole
food production system with just one
acre of pretty much barren sand flat so
tell your story so here's my story I
graduated college and job offers just
came pouring in yeah right
I continued commercial fishing scuba
diving for shellfish and working out on
offshore fishing boats this is one of
the last fishing trips I went on when we
left port the price of squid was a
dollar twenty-five pound and we got back
we caught tons and tons of squid when we
got back to port the price of squid had
dropped to 30 cents a pound so we didn't
make nearly as much as we thought were
going to but at least we made a paycheck
some trips that I went out on we
wouldn't make any money because the boat
didn't make any money because they spent
more money in diesel fuel and they
caught in fish everybody deals with
uncertainty in their career but when
you're relying on wild capture fisheries
the uncertainty is tremendous luckily at
University of Rhode Island I learned how
to grow oysters I started with a one
acre oyster farm top-left of the screen
you can see the first piece of gear that
I put in the first 1 acre of oyster farm
and I gradually expanded three acres
seven acres selling 50,000 hundred
thousand two hundred thousand oysters a
year to local restaurants and then
farmers markets and eventually
wholesalers in Boston New York Chicago
Philadelphia Atlanta Washington DC I had
grown a business that I wanted to ensure
the future of so I purchased the only
commercial piece of property on the
water which was kind of an old run-down
restaurant I needed the docks though I
needed those docks right there and so I
didn't have read any restaurant
experience other than being a busboy at
Chen's for one time in it and so I
didn't know whether the restaurant would
work or not but I know I needed those
docks I figured when it fails I'll just
live here and make it a fish market but
I need those docks and today the
restaurant employs over 200 people we
were named top ten oyster bar in the
world by USA Today just yesterday we
received a
thanks to all of you so we had the farm
to plate theme and we brought our
oysters into the dock and that was kind
of unique and then we grew we decided
want to increase our farm to plate
appeal so we started growing organic
vegetables that increase how much farm
to plate we were doing and and and so
these fields hadn't been farmed in
hundreds of years and now were
harvesting hundreds and tons and tons of
organic vegetables out of this farm to
supply to the restaurant and also to
local farmers markets provide the
customer with a fresher product a better
product and and and the oyster farm has
increased production to well over a
million oysters in Rhode Island
shellfish aquaculture has increased
production over 800 tons over the last
20 years if in the smallest state in the
country we can produce 800 tons of
sustainably grown seafood as a global
society we can meet the growing demand
of seafood one acre at a time thank you
you
Browse More Related Video
How Russian Sturgeon Caviar Is Farmed and Processed β How To Make It
Sukses Bertani Terintegrasi Tanpa Limbah
Farming Scallops in the Bay | Maryland Farm & Harvest
Pompano Farming : How to manage Pompano Aqua Farm | Agribusiness Philippines
Ep 6 - How to make aquaculture more sustainable - Conclusions & recommendations
The four fish we're overeating -- and what to eat instead | Paul Greenberg
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)