Tide to Tank: Live Systems Summit, 9/11/2026 & 9/12/2026

Tide to Tank: Oregon Live Systems Summit 

September 11, 2026, 8:30 AM – September 12, 2026, 3:00 PM

Coastal residents and seafood enthusiasts who wonder how Oregon-landed seafood arrives on their plates may now get a peek behind the tank at a new upcoming event, entitled Tide to Tank: Oregon Live Systems Summit. 

Thanks to funding from the Northwest Oregon Works administered by the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association, registered attendees will have the opportunity to dive into Oregon’s Blue Economy with a hands-on look at live seafood systems, practical learning around system operation, and new local market opportunities connecting coastal communities to global innovation.

“This isn’t just about the economy,” Marcus Hinz, Executive Director of the Oregon Coast Visitors Association (OCVA), said, “It’s also about reducing carbon emissions and improving community health and wellness. Commercial seafood live tank systems allow more opportunity for Oregon-landed seafood to reach the plates of both coastal residents and visitors.  When we harvest and export so much of our local seafood, those planes literally are passing the ones importing seafood from all over the world to be sold and served in our communities. That’s not sustainable, and it doesn’t make any sense.” 

The Tide to Tank event is part of a larger coast-wide workforce training strategy by the Oregon Ocean Cluster (OOC), a program of The Oregon Coast Visitors Association.  The first year of the Live Systems Training Program was piloted in six high schools along the Oregon Coast, and furthered the workforce development pathway connecting Oregon Coast high schools with the region’s commercial fishing and Blue Economy industries. The program introduced students to the engineering, biological, and technological systems that support Oregon’s live seafood industry through hands-on classroom aquaculture systems.

 “Increasing the amount of Oregon-landed seafood present on our local restaurant plates, store shelves, and school cafeterias involves so many people along the supply chain,” says Maggie Micheals from the OCVA, adding, “which is why this event registration is open to such a broad audience. We are very grateful for the collaboration offered by the Tillamook Coast Visitors Association in making this happen.”

This Summit invites students, seafood businesses, teachers, restaurateurs, and commercial systems operators to dive into how live seafood systems work and why they are essential to Oregon’s Blue Economy.  

On Friday, September 11th, a series of workshops and skill shares, all held at the historic Garibaldi Boathouse, will foster a space for cooperative learning, visioning, and practical problem-solving. Geared towards those already in, or interested in being a part of, live systems-related work, expect information to range from introductory to expert. Registration is required.

On Saturday, September 12th, attendees will be able to chart their own routes with friends and family, and participate in the “Tour de Tank.” This self-guided tour is intended to encourage folks from across the community to visit operating live systems and see just how cool they are!  

Those interested can find the event registration page by searching for “Tide to Tank: Oregon Live Systems Summit” or by following this link https://tidetotank.wixsite.com/tidetotanksummit