“Stewards of the Future” group begins in Carteret County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From NC State’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST)

Fish Oil, Omega-3s and Coastal Stewardship – What is the connection? Fish oil and Omega-3s are easy to connect. Fish oil has a long history in Carteret County, considering the number of menhaden factories built here over the years. Menhaden is an oily fish that was prized for it’s delicate and rich flavors long ago, and is now best utilized for the oil that is pressed from its meat, skin and bones. The connection to research that discovered the benefits of fish oil to human health is easy to make. But where does coastal stewardship fit in?

This is the topic for discussion at a new public forum presented by Stewards of the Future: Research for Ocean Health and Community Sustainability, on Monday, February 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Duke Marine Laboratory Auditorium on Pivers Island in Beaufort.

Stewards of the Future is a newly-formed Regional Exchange Group, sponsored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and organized by members of the scientific research community in Carteret County, including NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, Duke University Marine Laboratory, and NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research. The goal of Stewards of the Future is to engage scientists, business leaders, policy makers and the public in open discussion on issues of importance in coastal communities. This program is the first in a series of seminars on a variety of topics planned for the coming year.

At this first REG event, two speakers are scheduled to make presentations on the evolution of fish oil to omega-3s and the connection to human health, Carteret County and eastern North Carolina. The speakers are:

Todd Miller, Executive Director, NC Coastal Federation
Todd will reflect on his early years growing up in a small coastal community in Carteret County helping with the family business – Marine Chemurgics, a small commercial laboratory run by his father, Ted Miller – and the influence it had on him to become a coastal steward and advocate for coastal conservation.

Tony Bimbo, Technical Consultant, International Fisheries Technology
An internationally recognized chemist with 50 years experience working in the fish oil industry, Tony will speak about petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to allow menhaden oil to be used for human consumption.

Both speakers will share insights and recollections on Ted Miller, whose scientific knowledge and creativity influenced them in their own career pathways.

The event is free and open to the public. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Pre-registration is requested and available online or by contacting Jill Miller, NCSU Seafood Laboratory, at jill_miller@ncsu.edu or 252-222-6334.