Fellowship Farewell from Suzie O’Neill
By Suzie O’Neill, NOAA Fisheries
At the end of October, I wrapped up my term as the coordinator of the Oregon Aquaculture Strategic Framework Steering Committee. This Committee, composed of representatives from the Oregon Aquaculture Association (OAA), Oregon Sea Grant, Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and Ecotrust, was convened by OAA in 2023 to chart a strategic direction for the Oregon aquaculture sector. Over the past year, I supported the Committee on several projects, including: a) revisiting past work to advance Oregon aquaculture, b) identifying current barriers and opportunities within the sector, and c) drafting a preliminary Oregon Aquaculture Strategic Framework. Our efforts culminated in a day-long workshop in October – the Oregon Aquaculture Planning Workshop – during which we built a larger coalition of partners and generated strategic actions that will advance the sector.
Throughout this process, I took the lead on planning, facilitating, and coordinating the committee and workshop – a first in my professional career. I learned how to develop effective meeting agendas, manage group dynamics, and navigate roadblocks and disagreements to find common ground. The success of the workshop in early October affirmed my hard work. Participants were excited to build relationships and generate ideas together in person, and I can already see the momentum from the workshop translating into meaningful action. As I reflect on this journey with the Steering Committee, I realize how much my confidence has grown. Where I once felt nervous about leading a meeting, I now feel energized, empowered, and eager to keep growing as a facilitator.
In addition to my role with the Steering Committee, I lead two working groups internal to NOAA focused on supporting consultation biologists who review aquaculture projects. One working group is building an Aquaculture Science Library in EndNote to assist with ESA aquaculture consultations, while the other working group is enhancing orientation and training resources about aquaculture for new consulting biologists. Both of these groups provide me with additional hands-on facilitation experience and a deeper insight into the ESA consultation process.
Fortunately, my work with NOAA and these internal working groups isn’t coming to an end just yet. Oregon Sea Grant has extended my Fellowship through March of 2025, allowing me to continue leading the working groups and developing NOAA’s Guide to Shellfish Aquaculture Permits in Oregon. If time allows, I will also start working on a similar permitting guide for seaweed aquaculture in Oregon. These guides aim to clarify the permitting and regulatory framework for aquaculture so that government agencies, growers, Tribes, and the public have a shared understanding, fostering clearer and more productive conversations.
As a WCOA Fellow for just over a year, I developed a more nuanced perspective of West Coast ocean issues, and a deeper understanding of the West Coast aquaculture industry in particular. I’ve encountered supportive partners and mentors at every stage, and I’ve been entrusted with responsibilities that have bolstered my confidence and helped me develop a versatile skill set, from grant review to workshop planning, permitting, project management, EndNote, and beyond. I extend my deepest gratitude to my hosts at NOAA and to the West Coast Ocean Alliance staff and membership for providing such an enriching opportunity, and I look forward to working with you all more in the future.
