The Emily Landecker Foundation, a New Hampshire, U.S.A.-based nonprofit, has donated USD 3 million (EUR 2.86 million) toward ensuring the University of New Hampshire's (UNH) Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems is able to grow its programming.
"We have deep concerns about climate change, the world we live in, and how this could impact food availability for future generations," a representative for the foundation said. "We live in New England, so we are keenly aware of the warming of the Gulf of Maine and how it is affecting local fisheries and other sources of food from the ocean.”
The representative added that the foundation had been impressed by the work already being done at the UNH center, which focuses on community-based seafood production and culturally specific aquaculture practices.
The center previously received a USD 5 million (EUR 4.76 million) gift in 2020 to build a sustainable seafood field lab, but the more recent gift will go toward supporting an international program that spans both the science and engineering disciplines, teaching students to implement community-based seafood production around the world. It will include remote experiences and hands-on work at UNH’s Aquafort, an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), or floating structure that grows multiple species at the same time.
David Fredriksson, the director of the Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, said his team was excited and appreciative for the gift.
“While at the core this is about aquaculture, it also offers a unique learning experience as each student brings their own cultural strengths and community challenges,” he said. “In the design approach, each student will need to address site-specific climates and choose socially acceptable seafood products. We see this as an opportunity for scientific exchange from different cultures and regions.”
UNH President Elizabeth Chilton said that the university “is a leader in innovative aquaculture practices that are designed to address today’s highly complex ocean and coastal challenges” and that it will help communities both near and far grow sustainable seafood.
