Leading the Way at the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture

One of the most meaningful roles I’ve stepped into as a chef and food systems advocate is serving as Chef Lead for the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture—a multi-stakeholder initiative working to advance responsible offshore aquaculture policy in the United States.

Formed by the Environmental Defense Fund, CSA brings together scientists, environmentalists, industry leaders, and chefs to align on one simple but ambitious goal: ensuring that aquaculture in U.S. federal waters is guided by science, equity, and sustainability from the ground up.

As Chef Lead, I’ve had the privilege of shaping the coalition’s engagement with the culinary world—building bridges between policymakers and people behind the line, and making sure chefs are not only represented, but deeply involved in the dialogue around the future of seafood.

My work has included everything from co-writing op-eds and organizing Hill visits, to helping recruit a national chef coalition who believe in the power of food to protect the planet. I’ve also helped design and lead storytelling efforts that frame regenerative seafood not just as an environmental issue, but as a cultural one—something that connects flavor, equity, jobs, and climate resilience.

What makes this coalition special is its commitment to collaboration. EDF’s approach has always been to work across the aisle and across disciplines, and that’s reflected in how CSA operates. Whether it’s pushing for strong federal aquaculture legislation, supporting pilot programs that reduce impact on wild ecosystems, or elevating the voices of small-scale producers, CSA is making moves with integrity.

For me, this work isn’t separate from cooking—it’s part of it. Chefs have an enormous stake in the health of our oceans, and we have real influence when we choose to speak up. Through CSA, I’ve found a platform to do just that—while helping other chefs plug into a national conversation that’s shaping the future of what seafood looks like on our plates, and who gets to access it.