Effective communication is essential to advancing aquaculture’s visibility, trust, and long-term success. Since its founding, Minorities In Aquaculture (MIA) has leveraged science communication, marketing, and outreach as powerful tools to connect communities with the people, purpose, and career opportunities within U.S. aquaculture. By blending storytelling with education, MIA reimagines how audiences engage with seafood, sustainability, and the blue economy—transforming curiosity into understanding and awareness into action.
Through creative media strategies, partnerships, and accessible digital content, MIA bridges the gap between research and real-world impact—highlighting aquaculture not just as a science, but as a workforce pathway filled with innovation and purpose. This presentation will explore how communication can be a catalyst for workforce development by inspiring new generations to explore aquaculture careers and by making the industry’s work more visible and relatable.
Drawing from both organizational and personal experiences in science communication and branding, lessons on using storytelling to shift perceptions, expand participation, and cultivate a more informed, connected, and future-ready aquaculture community will also be shared.