Series provides insights into opportunities and challenges for the state’s “blue economy”
Portland, Ore. — October 16, 2025 — Tending the Tides, a new limited-series podcast produced by the nonprofit Ecotrust, launches this month, bringing together oyster and seaweed growers, scientists, chefs, entrepreneurs and others for nuanced conversations about mariculture on the Oregon coast. Throughout the series, these conversations unpack how culture–what we eat and why–shapes the economy, and the ways Oregon’s unique coastal geography influences this growing area of opportunity.
Listeners will meet a range of personalities and professionals in each episode including oyster farmer Xin Liu, owner of Oregon Oyster Farms, who shares learnings from 30+ years of providing oysters for local and international markets; Steve Rumrill, a leading shellfish scientist with the Hatfield Marine Science Center; and Maylin Chavez, a Portland chef and restaurateur who shares her passion for ocean health on every plate.
“We’re aiming to demystify mariculture for a broad audience, exploring its potential to foster community wealth, an equitable economy, and ecosystem resilience on the Oregon Coast,” says Jon Bonkoski, VP of Coastal Communities & Fisheries at Ecotrust.
Listeners can tune in on platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms.
About Tending the Tides: Stories of mariculture on the Oregon Coast
Tending the Tides is a limited series podcast focused on mariculture on the Oregon Coast. Produced by Ecotrust as part of the Oregon Coast Mariculture Collaborative. Funding for this podcast comes from Builders Initiative.
Listen now on:
Apple
Spotify
Pocket Cast
Podcast Addict
Learn more: ecotrust.org/tending-the-tides/
For media inquiries, contact: Megan Foucht, mfoucht@ecotrust.org
About Ecotrust
At Ecotrust, we work in partnership toward the vision of a more just, prosperous, and climate-smart future. With more than 30 projects from California to Alaska, our approach focuses on impact at the intersections of equity, the economy, and the environment in pursuit of radical, practical change. We welcome you to join us at ecotrust.org.
About the Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative
The Oregon Coastal Mariculture Collaborative is a group of Oregon-based organizations working together to better understand the potential for the expansion of native and restorative marine shellfish, seaweeds, and aquatic plants in the mariculture sector on the Oregon Coast. Collaborative members include Ecotrust, Oregon Aquaculture Association, Oregon Kelp Alliance, Oregon Sea Grant, and The Nature Conservancy. Learn more at seagrant.oregonstate.edu/oregon-coastal-mariculture-collaborative