Stuart Thomas

Overview

As Washington Sea Grant’s Aquaculture Specialist, Stuart delivers shellfish and aquaculture related outreach, workforce education, and community engagement across western Washington. He brings more than 17 years of experience across shellfish aquaculture and fisheries; marine biology and ecology; hatchery operations; seafood science; food systems; and coastal restoration throughout the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and U.S. West Coast. Stuart’s background includes broodstock management for a major West Coast producer, shellfish farm design and construction, aquaculture and seafood operations, seaweed culture, clamgarden work with Indigenous communities, and handson involvement in subsistence fisheries and marine resource stewardship. Stuart holds a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of Liverpool in the U.K. and a Master’s of Science in Fisheries and Aquaculture from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Before joining WSG, Stuart led the development a tribally owned shellfish farm, processing operation, and business based in northern Skagit Bay. Alongside prior learned knowledge, here he gained further experience with shellfish product development and marketing, aquaculture permitting, small business development, process integration, and Indigenous approaches to marine resource management. He now uses that technical and community-based perspective to support producers, inform coastal communities, deliver workforce development training, and connect environmental science with sustainable aquaculture practices. Outside of his work at Sea Grant, Stuart is an expert oyster shucker, avid outdoorsman, as well as a devoted harvester and forager of locally grown and wild foods.

Expertise

• Shellfish physiology, biology, ecology and aquaculture practices
• Seafood science, production, and safety
• Marine resource outreach and education
• Commercial Shellfish breeding
• Aquaculture sustainability & environmental adaptation