January, 2025 – NC EcoTech is kicking off 2025 with a sharpened focus on positioning Eastern North Carolina as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and workforce development in aquaculture and coastal resilience sciences. These efforts aim to strengthen the region’s economy while promoting environmental sustainability.
“This region in particular is primed to be a global leader in leveraging innovations in coastal resilience and aquaculture to drive economic development, improving quality of life for all,” says Dr. Ken Halanych, Director of NC EcoTech and Executive Director of The Center for Marine Science at UNCW.
This year, NC EcoTech will focus on three key initiatives:
- Driving Innovation in Aquaculture and Coastal Resilience: Accelerating place-based and use-inspired solutions to address local challenges and foster sustainable growth.
- Advancing Applied Research and Industry Co-Development: Securing funding and building partnerships to develop technologies and strategies that solve real-world problems.
- Enhancing Workforce Training and Development: Equipping individuals with the skills needed to meet emerging technology demands in aquaculture and coastal resilience.
To further these efforts, NC EcoTech is pursuing a NOAA grant aimed at advancing ecosystem technologies and supporting sustainable development in coastal communities. This funding would enable the organization to expand its initiatives, enhance partnerships, and deliver impactful solutions that address the unique challenges facing Eastern North Carolina.
“Our mission is to develop and use Ecosystem Technologies to drive innovation, translation, and workforce development that improves the quality of life and coastal resilience in Eastern North Carolina,” said Dave Cerino, Director of Aquaculture Research and Development for Carteret Community College and Co-PI for NC EcoTech. “Through demonstration farms, innovation hubs, and workforce development, we are creating pathways to advance technologies, production systems, and environmental restoration strategies that will grow the blue economy.”
Through collaboration with educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, NC EcoTech is addressing critical environmental and economic challenges. By strengthening aquaculture and coastal resilience industries, the organization is creating a brighter, more resilient future for Eastern North Carolina.
For more information about NC EcoTech’s initiatives, please visit www.ncecotech.org.
