Oregon Aquaculture Network

A subset of OAA’s actions is channeled through the Oregon Aquaculture Network (OAN). OAN has grown out of the Oregon Aquaculture Advisory Group which, under OAA’s stewardship, crafted the blueprint for the Oregon aquaculture program: Stimulating Oregon Aquaculture: Finding the Sweet Spot for Investment and Expansion (October 2018).

The mission statement of OAN is: To develop and facilitate an innovative program to develop aquaculture as an agriculture sector in Oregon that is economically beneficial, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible.

The goals of OAN are to: (I) educate the citizenry as to the soundness of aquaculture as a set of 21st Century food-producing systems; (II) demonstrate the bankability of aquaculture in Oregon; (III) to promote investment in new production systems in Oregon; and, (IV) to collaborate with other networks and partners. 

OAN has the following attributes:

• It is broad-based—interdisciplinary, diversified, and versatile;
• It needs links within a wider arena—nationally and internationally;
• It emphasizes NEW investment in aquaculture;
• It is holistically interested in the impacts of NEW investment—socially, culturally, economically, ecologically;
• It includes activities that are undertaken more as a lifecycle assessment approach; 
• Its interventions include seeking relevant grants and other third-party support;
• It prioritizes the sustainable implementation of the blueprint;
• It includes OAA members and non-members; and,
• It is NOT a lobbyist.

Network members include:

• Clint Bentz
• Randy Bentz
• Kate Koff
• David Hughes
• Michael Harte
• Gil Sylvia

• Alex Masterson
• Ken Vaughn
• John Moehl
• Tony Vaught
• NW Aquaculture Alliance