The UMass Dartmouth’s School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) and the nonprofit Eating with the Ecosystem invite the public to a discussion about diversifying local seafood diets and science surrounding ecosystem approaches to managing local seafood systems. Free and open to the public. Event takes place Thursday, June 6, 6-8 pm at SMAST East (836 S. Rodney French Blvd. in New Bedford).

Special guest Kate Masury, program director at Eating with the Ecosystem, will present findings from an innovative research effort called the Eat Like a Fish citizen science project. The project’s newly released results show that although over a hundred edible wild seafood species thrive in the salty waters off New England’s shores, most of them are remarkably difficult to find for purchase at local seafood counters.

Marketing Director for UMass Dartmouth Dining Services Kirby Roberts, Executive Chef Kevin Gibbons, and Director of Operations Nancy Wiseman will discuss work to feature underused local seafood resources on campus dining facilities in the region.

The discussion will be moderated by UMass Dartmouth and SMAST Assistant Professor of Fisheries Oceanography Dr. Gavin Fay. UMass Dartmouth Dining Services will be prepare a menu of small, local bites for attendees to sample at the beginning of the event.