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The clashing, banging and drilling sounds at the North Carolina Estuarium (223 E. Water St, Washington)  do not stem from a mad scientist conducting an experiment at the science museum. It’s actually the construction of a new exhibit coming late fall or early winter. 

The Estuarium plans to unveil a new exhibit called the North Carolina Seafood School. The school will teach museum guests of all ages about what lives within the state’s estuarine ecosystems, how to care for it then how to clean and cook it. 

The Seafood School aims to make environmental education relatable by showing participants why it’s important to care about the environment where most seafood in North Carolina comes from. 

“Our goal is to use seafood – or ‘soundfood’ – to create a full circle of appreciation for healthy estuaries,” Estuarium Director Tom Stroud said last year when the Estuarium announced plans for the Seafood School. “For many people the closest connection they have with estuaries is eating things that come from them – oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, fish. That’s great, but there is a through-line between enjoying a fried oyster and the condition of the ecosystem it came from. The Seafood School will link the health of the estuary, the effort it takes for harvest, and the process of creating a great seafood meal in a single space.”

Helping with the culinary education portion of the Seafood School are 10 NC Catch Chef Ambassadors. Ambassadors help bring awareness to NC Catch’s mission to teach the public about the importance of eating local seafood and supporting local commercial fishing while celebrating the heritage of commercial fishing. 

Guests will be able to sign up for special evenings where they learn from NC Catch Chefs, like James Beard finalist and The Hackney Executive Chef, Jamie Davis. They will also learn about fishing from Inner Banks fisherman. The Seafood School will be equipped with a commercial kitchen for cooking classes and private events. 

There will also be “Seafood 101” classes for children where they will learn about estuary wildlife and responsible fishing and can enjoy a 200-square-foot interactive exhibit wall. In addition, adult guests will be able to sign up for experiences that include an immersive, hands-on guide to crabbing while kids can enjoy programs created by Estuarium staff. 

The Estuarium enlisted the help of design consultant and Washington resident, Harbor Peoples who has worked on the exhibit for two years. 

“Our goal is to celebrate seafood,” Peoples said. “Shine a light on how great it is, where you can get it, how to catch it and how to protect it. We hope to be a stage for all the other foundations so that everybody else from NC Catch or North Carolina Coastal Federation or Sea grant – they all want to come and have their conferences at the Seafood School, because the Seafood School makes it easy for them to get that message across.” 

The project received $250,000 funds from the North Carolina state legislature with help from Representative Keith Kidwell; however, fundraising efforts for the Seafood School continue. Peoples shared that Grady-White Boats has agreed to a challenge grant where if the Estuarium is able to raise $100,000, the boat manufacturer will donate a matching grant. The total cost for the Seafood School is an estimated $750,000. To learn more, visit https://www.ncpfs.org/nce-seafood-school.