This project represents an opportunity to consolidate, educate, and highlight the breadth of societal, ecological, and economic benefits from local aquaculture and dispel misinformation and perceptions that can adversely affect the development of a thriving domestic industry.
Welcome to the Collaborative!
Welcome to SAACC
The Southeast Aquaculture Communications Collaborative (SACC) is a three-year, NOAA-funded initiative to strengthen aquaculture education and communication across the Southeast United States. This collaborative effort brings together extension agents, educators, and industry partners to share resources, develop educational campaigns, and provide science-based information about aquaculture to consumers and the general public.
By curating and amplifying science-based information about aquaculture, we aim to help folks of all ages learn about aquaculture, empower consumers to make informed choices, and foster regional collaborations to promote locally grown seafood.
We Serve the Southeast Region
Mission & Objectives
The Southeast Aquaculture Communications Collaborative (SACC) is a three-year, NOAA-funded initiative to strengthen aquaculture education and communication across the Southeast United States. This collaborative effort brings together extension agents, educators, and industry partners to share resources, develop educational campaigns, and provide science-based information about aquaculture to consumers and the general public.
By curating and amplifying science-based information about aquaculture, we aim to help folks of all ages learn about aquaculture, empower consumers to make informed choices, and foster regional collaborations to promote locally grown seafood.
- Curate, foster and develop aquaculture resources and expertise.
- Increase access to regional aquaculture resources and information.
- Successfully implement communication campaigns for key audiences.
- Increase aquaculture literacy and demand for aquaculture products among campaign audiences.
2025
Project Start Date
8
U.S. States
2
U.S. Territories
220+
Lay-Friendly Resources
Meet Our Team
Project Leads
Emily Riewestahl
Aquaculture Marketing and Communications Specialist
Florida Sea Grant
Stephanie Showalter-Otts
Director
National Sea Grant Law Center
Dr. Sherry Larkin
Director
Florida Sea Grant
Dr. Charles Sidman
Associate Director of Research
Florida Sea Grant
Collaborative Members
Terra Bowling
Senior Research Counsel
National Sea Grant Law Center
Dr. Mario Marquez
Aquaculture Specialist
Texas Sea Grant
Josh Kim
Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Specialist
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium
Dr. Laura Tiu
Associate Director, Extension & Education
Florida Sea Grant
Dr. Elizabeth Robinson
Interim Director of the Grand Isle Oyster Research Lab
Louisiana Sea Grant
Adrianne Johnson
Executive Director
Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association
Portia Sapp
Aquaculture Director
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Emily Kenworthy
Communications Director
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Dr. Mark Risse
Director
UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Caitlyn Czajkowski
Executive Director
National Aquaculture Association
Russell “Rusty” Grice
Oyster Aquaculture Business Specialist
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant
Eric Herbst
Coastal Aquaculture Specialist
North Carolina Sea Grant
A Word from our Project Lead
Dr. Sherry Larkin