The Seafood Entry Point

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The Seafood Entry Point is your starting place for building a business in seafood. Each episode features real stories, practical advice, and clear “how-to” breakdowns on what it takes to get started and grow — from harvesting and farming to processing, planning, and scaling. We cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters: how to navigate the industry, avoid common mistakes, and find opportunities to innovate. Whether you’re just industry curious or looking to take the next step, this is your place to learn, connect, and move forward.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Exploring BC’s Dive Fishery with Lawrence Anderson

    Episode 9: Exploring BC’s Dive Fishery with Lawrence AndersonWhat does it take to build a career beneath the waves? In this episode of The Seafood Entry Point, Olivia sits down with longtime commercial diver and industry advocate Lawrence Anderson to explore BC’s commercial dive fisheries and the people, businesses, and opportunities behind them. Lawrence shares his journey from recreational diving in the Philippines to more than 30 years as a commercial seafood harvester in British Columbia, diving for geoduck, sea urchin, and sea cucumber. The conversation dives into the opportunities for value-added seafood products, domestic markets, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Lawrence discusses everything from uni butter and uni gelato to new processing technologies, and why creating more value for BC seafood could ultimately mean more value for harvesters. We also talk about the consumer side of the industry: why BC dive-caught seafood can command a premium, the importance of buying local, where consumers can find these products, and how education can help people feel more confident preparing seafood they may not be familiar with. Finally, Lawrence shares what makes commercial dive fishing such a compelling career—including the lifestyle, camaraderie, adventure, and opportunities for the next generation—and offers some advice for anyone considering a future in commercial diving or seafood. 🎧 Listen now and discover what’s happening beneath the waves of BC’s seafood industry. Interested in learning more? Check out Diver's Catch and get your ticket now for the Diver's Catch Festival on September 19, 2026 in Steveston.

  2. Aug 11

    Who Is Building BC's Seaweed Industry?

    Who are the people building Canada's emerging seaweed sector? In this special episode of The Seafood Entry Point, recorded at the Pacific Seaweed Summit in Campbell River, we step away from the traditional one-on-one interview format and bring you along as we meet some of the people shaping BC's growing seaweed industry. Over three days at the summit, we spoke with students, researchers, restoration practitioners, entrepreneurs, funders, and professionals exploring new career opportunities in seaweed. Their stories reveal just how many different pathways can lead into the sector—and how many opportunities are still emerging. Our conversations explore the research and innovation driving the industry, the importance of Indigenous knowledge and collaboration, the need for local processing and product development, and the potential for seaweed cultivation to support both coastal communities and ecosystem restoration. In this episode you'll learn about: The diverse career pathways into Canada's seaweed sectorResearch in kelp restoration, alginate extraction, and pyropiaOpportunities for entrepreneurs and early-stage innovatorsWhy processing and product development are critical to the sector's growthThe role of Indigenous knowledge, collaboration, and restorationAdvice for students, career changers, and aspiring seafood professionalsPerspectives from the Pacific Seaweed Summit Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  3. Jul 21

    Building the Support System Behind BC's Seaweed Innovation

    Episode 7: Building the Support System Behind BC's Seaweed Innovation What does it actually take to turn a seaweed idea into a successful business? In this episode of The Seafood Entry Point, we sit down with Naser Arda from North Island College's Centre for Applied Research, Technology and Innovation (CARTI) to explore the behind-the-scenes support that helps entrepreneurs navigate the complex journey from concept to commercialization. Naser shares how CARTI works with businesses at every stage. From validating new ideas and connecting entrepreneurs with scientific expertise to helping companies build business cases, attract investment, and understand the economics of processing and product development. We also discuss why collaboration across the value chain is essential, the challenges of sourcing and processing seaweed in BC, and how applied research organizations help bridge the gap between innovation and industry. If you've ever wondered how new seafood products make it from an idea into the marketplace, this episode offers an inside look at the organizations helping build Canada's emerging blue economy. Check out the CARTI website Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  4. Jul 21

    Building a Career in Canada's Seaweed Sector with Jordan Hawkswell

    Episode 6: Building a Career in Canada's Seaweed Sector with Jordan HawkswellWhat does a career in Canada's emerging seaweed sector actually look like? In this episode of The Seafood Entry Point, recorded at the Pacific Seaweed Summit in Campbell River, we sit down with Jordan Hawkswell to explore the many pathways into one of Canada's fastest-growing marine industries. Jordan shares how her career has taken her across research, aquaculture, industry associations, and community development, working with organizations in both British Columbia and Alaska. Along the way, she offers practical advice for students, early-career professionals, and anyone curious about building a future in seafood. Our conversation explores why collaboration is essential to growing the sector, how following your curiosity can open unexpected opportunities, and why community may be one of the industry's greatest strengths. In this episode you'll learn about: Career pathways in Canada's seaweed sectorWorking across research, industry, and communityWhy collaboration drives innovationAdvice for students and aspiring seafood professionalsJordan's reflections from the Pacific Seaweed Summit Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  5. Jun 29

    Restoring Kelp, Revitalizing Language: A Conversation with Lyndsay Silvestre

    Episode 5 : Restoring Kelp, Revitalizing Language: A Conversation with Lyndsay Silvestre Recorded at the Pacific Seaweed Summit in Campbell River, this episode features Lyndsay Silvestre, an emerging leader in British Columbia's seaweed sector whose work brings together ecological restoration, aquaculture, Indigenous knowledge, and community food systems. Lyndsay shares how integrated multi-trophic aquaculture can support healthier coastal ecosystems, why restoring kelp forests matters for both marine life and communities, and the inspiration behind her Seaweeds of Campbell River poster, which helps preserve local Indigenous languages by teaching listeners how to pronounce the names of seaweed species. Whether you're interested in seaweed farming, ecosystem restoration, or building more resilient food systems, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the people and ideas shaping the future of Canada's blue economy. Here is the link to the language video by Kirsten Dobler from the poster created collaboratively by Lyndsay Silvestre and Kirsten Dobler with support from Rhianna Nagel and Sara Child at North Island College. Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  6. Jun 24

    Building BC's Seaweed Sector with Mark Smith

    Building BC's Seaweed Sector with Mark Smith Recorded live at the Pacific Seaweed Summit in Campbell River, this episode features Mark Smith, Executive Director of the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association and leader of the Canadian Seaweed Network. Mark shares his perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Canada's growing seaweed sector, from product development and market validation to processing infrastructure and scaling the industry responsibly. We discuss what aspiring entrepreneurs should know before starting a seaweed business, the importance of industry collaboration, and where some of the biggest opportunities exist across the seaweed value chain. Whether you're curious about seaweed farming, value-added products, or the future of Canada's blue economy, this conversation offers practical insights from someone helping shape the industry's growth. Learn more about the Pacific Seaweed Industry Association at seaweedindustry.ca This episode is part of our Pacific Seaweed Summit series, featuring conversations with researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and community members working to shape the future of seaweed in British Columbia and beyond. Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  7. Jun 10

    Applied Research, Real Impact: How VIU Supports Seafood Entrepreneurs

    Episode 3: Applied Research, Real Impact: How VIU Supports Seafood Entrepreneurs What does a working marine research station have to do with building a seafood business? In this episode of The Seafood Entry Point, we take you inside the Deep Bay Marine Field Station on Vancouver Island where research, industry, and community come together to shape the future of seafood. We’re joined by Carl Butterworth, Director of Research Operations and Industry Engagement at Vancouver Island University, to break down how applied research directly supports seafood entrepreneurs, farmers, and coastal communities. From oyster health and climate adaptation to kelp innovation and value-added products, this conversation highlights how real-world research creates real-world opportunity. We also get into: How universities can support small-scale seafood businessesWhy industry partnerships matter more than you thinkThe role of education, students, and applied learning in the sectorEmerging opportunities in kelp, shellfish, and value-added productsPractical advice for getting started (even without a business background)If you’ve ever wondered where science fits into seafood (or how to turn challenges into opportunities) this episode is your entry point. Edited by Pouya Nejat Pour

  8. May 4

    Have a Seafood Business Idea? Start Here.

    Thinking about starting a seafood business but not sure where to begin? In this episode of The Seafood Entry Point, Olivia breaks down business planning into simple, practical steps, so you can move from idea to action without getting stuck in overwhelm. Instead of diving into complicated business plans, this episode focuses on what actually matters at the start: understanding if your idea is viable. You’ll learn: What business planning really is (and what it isn’t)Why planning is especially important in the seafood sectorThe 5 key questions every entrepreneur should ask early onHow to assess whether your idea can make moneyWhy starting small and using your network can accelerate your progress Whether you're exploring aquaculture, processing, harvesting, or a value-added product, this episode will help you build a clear starting point...and avoid common early mistakes! Your next step: Grab a notebook and answer the five questions outlined in this episode. That’s your foundation. Explore the Resource Hub: Find tools, guides, and business planning resources to help you move forward https://deepbay.viu.ca/seafood-entry-point/resource-hub

  9. Apr 28

    Welcome to the Seafood Entry Point

    Episode 1: Welcome to The Seafood Entry Point Thinking about getting into the seafood industry, but not sure where to start? This first episode is your introduction to The Seafood Entry Point. Hosts Olivia Alexander and Dr. Andrew Loudon share their backgrounds — from business development to applied marine research — and why they created this podcast. They break down: Why the seafood sector can be hard to navigateWhere the real opportunities are right nowWhat you can expect from upcoming episodesHow the resource hub will help you take action Whether you're exploring a new business idea, looking for a career shift, or just curious about the industry...this is your starting point.

  • 9 Episodes

About

The Seafood Entry Point is your starting place for building a business in seafood. Each episode features real stories, practical advice, and clear “how-to” breakdowns on what it takes to get started and grow — from harvesting and farming to processing, planning, and scaling. We cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters: how to navigate the industry, avoid common mistakes, and find opportunities to innovate. Whether you’re just industry curious or looking to take the next step, this is your place to learn, connect, and move forward.

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