Restorative Ocean Farming Project 2020

The Restorative Ocean Farming (ROF) Project started in January 2019 through a partnership between Coastal Shellfish Corporation and the North Coast Innovation Lab (NCIL) with the intent of supporting marine cultures, livelihoods, and environments to enhance local seafood security. The idea for the ROF Project was conceptualized by Metlakatla Stewardship Society and Coastal Shellfish Corporation, a shellfish aquaculture operation in which Metlakatla First Nation are the primary shareholders. Using a social innovation approach guided by systems theory, the NCIL has been adding capacity to this locally-grounded idea and project through hiring and supporting graduate students to provide the necessary research and development work to get a restorative ocean farm in the water.

This report details the experiences, contributions and learnings that the 2020 Project Coordinator achieved while working on the ROF Project from May-August 2020 while building on the foundations and connections established by the previous Project Coordinator, Taylor Reidlinger last year.