Saving Seafood

Asian American entrepreneur turning trash fish into treasure in western Kentucky

June 1, 2023 — May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month, a time to celebrate the achievements of Asian Americans.

In far Western Kentucky, one Chinese American is single-handedly solving a major environmental issue of an invasive species of fish through her pursuit of the American dream.

Angie Yu grew up in rural Northern China, but she’s made her home a long way from there — in Wickliffe, Kentucky.

Right on the western border of the Bluegrass state, she’s turning what many call a “trash fish” into treasure.

The convergence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, along with the proximity to Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, led her to settle in Wickliffe. Invasive Asian carp have overtaken the waters.

Yu’s company, Two Rivers Fisheries, is working to cut down on the species in the area by taking in and processing thousands of fish a day.

Read the full article at Spectrum News 1

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 13, 2022 — To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are highlighting some of our colleagues who contribute to NOAA Fisheries’ core missions every day. Learn more about more about their career journeys, why they became scientists, their day-to-day jobs, and what Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month means to them.

Meet Kilali Ala’ilima Gibson, Oʻahu Marine Wildlife Response Coordinator

Kilali is an Oʻahu marine wildlife response coordinator. Her job is to coordinate a team to respond to issues with Hawaiian monk seals, whales, dolphins, and occasionally sea turtles. A lot of that is connecting with native and local communities to learn more about some of those hot spot areas where issues may often occur. She spent most of her childhood in the ocean surfing, scuba diving, and paddling in Hawaiʻi and she knew that she wanted to work in a profession where she could focus on protecting her marine ecosystem for the next generation to enjoy.

Read the full story at NOAA Fisheries