Learn about UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s efforts to grow oyster aquaculture in the state and raise awareness of issues facing Georgia’s commercial fishing industry at “Keeping it local: Reviving Georgia’s seafood heritage.” The event will take place at Cine Cinema and Arts on April 26 from 6 – 9 p.m.
“We’re excited to share the cultural history of Georgia’s seafood industry with the Athens community and shed light on the importance of local seafood and aquaculture to our state,” said Mark Risse, Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant director.
The event will feature an art exhibit by renowned artist, Alan Campbell, a book reading by local author, André Gallant, and a showing of the film “Shifting Baselines,” produced by Blue Voyage Productions in partnership with Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Oysters and regional seafood cuisine will be served by The National and Seabear Oyster Bar.
This event is the first in a series of events featuring artwork by Alan Campbell, whose paintings tell the story of traditional shellfish farming in Georgia. Campbell hopes to raise awareness of Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s oyster hatchery on Skidaway Island, which has been growing oysters from larvae since 2015. When the hatchery oysters reach a certain size, they are given to shellfish farmers on the Georgia coast, who cultivate them to maturity.
The goal of the hatchery is increase oyster aquaculture production in Georgia, which would provide jobs and greater economic development opportunities on the coast.
Subsequent Keeping it Local events will be held in Savannah and Brunswick later in the summer. Tickets for the Athens event can be purchased here.