Women and Gender Minorities Make Aquaculture Happen
Winter Waters and Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) have partnered to bring a regional Women of the Water conference to Newport, Oregon on Friday, February 6, 2026.
During this one-day conference, we will explore the values of research, community, collaboration, and celebration while bringing together the current and future generations of leaders in aquaculture. This conference will provide attendees with networks of opportunity and support, showcase the diversity of options in aquaculture, provide attendees of all experience levels with practical professional development, and ultimately celebrate, uplift, and empower underrepresented voices in the industry.
This event is invite only. Please apply to attend HERE.
This conference is an open invitation to help shape a practical resource for women and minorities working on the water. Women of the Water is developing a field guide that addresses real challenges in the workplace and in the field, and they are turning to their own community for insight. Together we will walk through a set of prompts designed to spark discussion about the situations people face, what support is needed, and what guidance should be included. Thanks to the generous support of Seafood and Gender Equality and Local Ocean Seafoods, there is no cost to attend.
Join for the conference on Friday 2/6, then stay all weekend for our Winter Waters Takeover featuring educational experiences around sea urchin ranching and seaweed farming, a delicious meal at Local Ocean Seafoods, and an open house highlighting local purveyors at Central Coast Food Web. Check out the pop-up broth bar (with savory fish bone broths), part of Local Ocean’s 100% Fish Program, and join us on a Dock Walk with Oregon Sea Grant.
Newport is the place to be if you want to learn about sustainable seafood fisheries, aquaculture, sea life, and conservation. Plus, there’s incredible food in Newport! We can’t wait to tell you more. Please sign up for our newsletter for first dibs on tickets.
Please take advantage of the following accommodation deals:
Sweet Homes Vacation Rentals - 15% off the nightly rate discount specifically for bookings Feb. 6-8, 2026 at any Sweet Homes vacation rental in their collection. Use code: WINTERWATERS
The Louie Boutique Motel - 15% off the nightly rate discount specifically for bookings Feb. 6-8, 2026. Use code: WINTERWATERS
Newport Belle - 20% off the nightly rate discount specifically for bookings Feb. 5-9, 2026. Use code: WinterWaters20 (Rachelle & Alanna have both stayed here before and LOVED it)
Thank you to Discover Newport for sponsoring Winter Waters in Newport.