In this special informational episode, we feature insights from a recent Canadian Centre for Food Integrity (CCFI) webinar led by Dr. Rozita Dara of the University of Guelph and AI4Food. This session unpacks how artificial intelligence is transforming the food and farming landscape — from decision support systems and digital twins to early disease detection, misinformation monitoring, and AI governance.

The episode explores how algorithms are reshaping public trust in food systems, balancing innovation with ethics, and redefining what it means to produce food responsibly in the age of automation.

CCFI webinars are hosted monthly and provide attendees with information on key food system issues. These sessions share best practices, tools, and cutting-edge research that members can use when connecting with Canadians. All webinars are free of charge for CCFI members.

Tune in to discover how AI and data-driven innovation are building a more transparent, sustainable, and trustworthy future for the global food system.

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Meet the not-your-average suit who’s practically grown gills. Nik Sachlikidis—CEO of The Oyster Restoration Company and Managing Director (Aquaculture) at Cadman Capital—builds ventures that regenerate oceans, feed the future, and create real-world value by turning breakthrough science into scalable action. In this kickoff conversation, we chart Nik’s journey into oyster restoration, unpack TORC’s mission-driven playbook, and explore how bivalves are quietly powering big environmental wins.

You’ll hear:

• What sparked Nik’s passion for restoration—and how it’s evolved over 20 years in aquaculture and fisheries
• TORC’s core mission and how it guides daily decisions (from seabed to spreadsheet)
• The toughest challenge so far—and the strategy that turned it around
• How oyster reefs deliver outsized climate and community benefits
• The innovative techniques and tech TORC uses to scale restoration
• Long-term goals for the movement—and what success looks like at ecosystem level
• A success story with measurable impact on a local coast
• How TORC engages communities, policymakers, and partners to accelerate change

Whether Nik’s casting lines on the weekend or casting vision for the industry, this episode is a masterclass in ocean-positive leadership—with practical insights you can apply on Monday. Dive in.

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Welcome to The Business of Aquaculture! This week, we dive beyond the splashy headlines into the quiet revolution happening under the waves with Dr. James Bellingham—world-renowned robotics pioneer, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy, and Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of exploration robotics. He’s also the author of How Are Marine Robots Shaping Our Future?

From the Arctic to the Antarctic, Dr. Bellingham has led two dozen AUV (autonomous underwater vehicle) expeditions through crushing pressure, freezing darkness, and some very opinionated currents. In this episode, we explore how marine robots are already transforming aquaculture management, climate data collection, offshore energy scouting, and even shipwreck discovery. We dig into:

• How ocean forces, habitats, and creatures shape our daily lives—and the urgent environmental threats robotics can address.
• Real-world deployments, from wreck recovery to deep-sea resource mapping—and what’s next for industry.
• The ethics and safety playbook: accountability, regulation, and trust as autonomy scales.

If you care about sustainable seafood, resilient supply chains, and smarter decisions at sea, this conversation is your sonar ping. Grab your fins—no human piloting required.

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Sustainable seafood has evolved from a nice-to-have corporate initiative to the driving force behind billion-dollar investment decisions. In this episode of The Business of Aquaculture, we dive deep into the ten transformative trends reshaping the global seafood industry and creating clear winners and losers in the marketplace.

Discover how Atlantic bluefin tuna went from collapse to comeback, why Thai shrimp farmers are embracing blockchain technology, and how Norwegian salmon now comes with QR codes that tell the complete story from fjord to fork. We explore the ABC framework—Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, and Community—that's enabling unprecedented transparency and efficiency across the supply chain.

From the massive capital flows of the "Blue Economy" to the consumer revolution demanding traceability, this episode reveals how smart operators are turning sustainability from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Learn why Maine lobster commands premium prices through managed scarcity, how AI is solving the bycatch problem, and why aquaculture is getting a high-tech makeover that's attracting major investment.

Whether you're an aquaculture producer, seafood buyer, investor, or industry leader, this episode provides actionable insights on navigating climate-driven stock migrations, leveraging technology for market access, and positioning your business for the sustainable seafood revolution.

Key Topics:
• Global fishery winners vs. losers and what it means for supply chains
• Technology revolution: blockchain traceability and AI-powered fishing
• Investment boom in the Blue Economy and consumer-driven market demands
• Aquaculture's transformation from "dirty" industry to climate solution
• How smart regulation creates premium markets and stable profits

Perfect for: Aquaculture professionals, seafood industry executives, sustainable food investors, supply chain managers, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology, sustainability, and marine business.

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In this episode of The Business of Aquaculture, host Lourdes Gant sits down with Maddie Voorhees, U.S. Aquaculture Campaign Director at Fisheries & Oceans, Environmental Defense Fund, to dive into the Marine Aquaculture and Resilient Oceans (MARA) Act.

We explore the Act’s environmental and economic objectives, its role in strengthening marine conservation, and the opportunities it creates for coastal community development. Maddie also shares EDF’s perspective on the biggest challenges facing ocean sustainability, and how aquaculture and fisheries can engage with the MARA Act to not only meet compliance but also drive innovation toward more sustainable practices.

Whether you’re in policy, aquaculture, or simply passionate about the future of our oceans, this conversation offers practical insights on how legislation and industry can work hand-in-hand for a resilient blue economy.

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In this episode, we unpack Blue Food Performance’s comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment of geoduck farming, revealing its low carbon footprint and environmental impact compared to other aquaculture systems. Learn how energy use, shell carbon sequestration, and sustainability trade-offs shape the future of this unique shellfish business. We explore actionable insights for aquaculture entrepreneurs aiming to build sustainable, market-leading operations.

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This week on The Business of Aquaculture, we welcome Ethan Weber—an innovator with a diverse background in recirculating aquaculture R&D, multitrophic systems, aquaponics, worker training, and community education. As a podcast host himself, Ethan brings a unique perspective on the industry’s opportunities and challenges.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• What inspired Ethan to pursue aquaculture
• The biggest gripes he sees in the industry
• What education and training really need to evolve
• His vision for the future of aquaculture

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Are the world’s fisheries on the brink of collapse, or are we actually seeing signs of recovery?

In this episode, we cut through the noise and unpack the real state of global fisheries. You’ll learn:

• The crucial difference between “overfishing” and “overfished” (and why it matters).
• Why one-size-fits-all solutions like Marine Protected Areas often miss the mark.
• How targeted, science-driven management has sparked surprising recoveries, from bluefin tuna to reduced bycatch.
• Why some regions still face dangerous levels of collapse—and how climate change, pollution, and illegal fishing complicate the picture.
• The path forward: balancing ecology with human livelihoods to build lasting solutions.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the oceans are truly running out of fish—or if that’s just a media myth, this episode brings clarity. The truth is complex. Some fisheries are rebounding, others are collapsing, and the future depends on precision strategy, not empty slogans.

Listen now to AI Lourdes and decide for yourself: Are our oceans collapsing, recovering, or both at the same time?

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In this episode of The Business of Aquaculture, we dive deep into the intersection of health-tech and aquaculture with biotech veteran Craig Ingram, founder of Int’l Commercialization Growth Partners. With 27 years of experience spanning medical devices, biopharma, and digital health—beginning at just 19—Craig now helps VC-backed startups and SMEs scale by boosting customer adoption and preventing costly shutdowns.

We explore:

• How innovations from surgical systems and biotech—like biosensors and sterilization protocols—can revolutionize aquaculture biosecurity.
• The untapped crossover potential between medical-grade technologies and sustainable food systems.
• Why precision health management is the next frontier in aquaculture, and how biotech is paving the way for smarter, cleaner marine operations.

Tune in for a boundary-crossing conversation that connects operating rooms to ocean farms, and learn how biotech’s cutting edge could become aquaculture’s new baseline.

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Mapping the Seafood Giants: A Competitive Landscape Deep Dive

Episode Description:
The global seafood industry is worth more than $450 billion — but who really controls it, and where is it headed next?

In this data-driven deep dive, we profile 50 of the world’s leading seafood companies to reveal the competitive forces shaping the future of aquaculture and marine protein. From Norwegian salmon giants employing 11,000+ people to Silicon Valley labs growing fish without the ocean, discover the spectrum of players fighting for your seafood dollar.

You’ll learn why 18% of market leaders are betting big on alternative seafood technologies, how traditional aquaculture firms are leveraging scale to dominate markets, and the emerging innovations that could rewrite the industry playbook.

Key Intelligence You’ll Gain:

• Geographic Power Centers: The unexpected regions driving global seafood dominance (and why it’s not just about coastlines).
• Capital Flows: How cellular agriculture startups have raised $300M+ — and what that means for the incumbents.
• Tech Disruption: From precision aquaculture to blockchain traceability, the tools redefining production and trust.
• Strategic Openings: Where investors, entrepreneurs, and established operators can position for the next growth wave.

Whether you’re an aquaculture executive, agtech investor, or a strategic player in the global food market, this episode delivers actionable market intelligence you won’t hear anywhere else.

Perfect For: Aquaculture professionals, investors, food industry leaders, and anyone tracking the future of sustainable protein.

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