Background
On June 11, 2024, a diverse group of 30 stakeholders from across Connecticut’s extension services, state government, public health departments, and the shellfish industry convened in New Haven for a high-impact Vibrio Messaging Workshop. Hosted at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and facilitated by Lighthouse Consulting Group, the workshop was designed to foster interagency collaboration, improve public health communication, and safeguard the state’s aquaculture economy.
Participants included representatives from CT DEEP – Water Monitoring and Assessment, Connecticut Sea Grant, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Aquaculture, local health departments, NOAA, university communications, and shellfish growers and businesses such as Bell’s Shellfish LLC, Tucker Oyster Co., and Precious Oysters Raw Bar Catering.
The session focused on one shared goal: to strengthen Connecticut’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to potential Vibrio outbreaks—protecting both consumers and the state’s thriving aquaculture industry.
Challenges
Connecticut’s shellfish industry, a critical component of the coastal economy, is periodically threatened by outbreaks of Vibrio, a naturally occurring marine bacterium that can pose risks to public health. Past experiences highlighted several pressing challenges:
- Inconsistent Messaging: Multiple agencies and organizations had developed their own materials and strategies, often leading to confusion during critical moments of public communication.
- Rapid Response Gaps: While several entities had response procedures in place, there was no unified, cross-agency plan for swift, coordinated action in the event of a vibriosis outbreak.
- Fragmented Communication Channels: Without clear messaging tailored to distinct audiences—such as consumers, shellfish harvesters, and local health departments—response efforts risked being inefficient and ineffective.
Results
Facilitated through a series of plenary discussions and structured small group activities, the workshop yielded meaningful progress in four key areas:
- Shared Understanding of Vibrio and Its Impact
Participants began with a deep dive into the history of Vibrio in Connecticut—covering instances related to both shellfish consumption and wound infections. Experts from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Health helped build a shared foundation for future collaboration.
- Consensus on Audience-Specific Messaging
Small group breakout sessions focused on identifying key audiences and crafting clear, unified messages. Each team worked to:
- Identify trusted points of contact for each audience,
- Develop 3–5 key messages tailored to the audience’s needs,
- Recommend communication methods with proven effectiveness.
This resulted in a first-of-its-kind, cross-sector messaging guide aimed at protecting public health while avoiding unnecessary disruption to aquaculture businesses.
- Development of a Draft Rapid Response Plan
With messaging guides in hand, participants collaborated to co-design a practical, five-step rapid response framework for use in the event of a Vibrio outbreak. This plan clearly defines roles, outlines activation steps, and emphasizes coordination between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Health, and other key players.
- Alignment on Next Steps and Industry Value
The workshop concluded with a powerful reflection on the value of Connecticut’s aquaculture industry—not only as an economic driver, but also as a partner in public health and coastal stewardship. Participants committed to continued engagement, with an immediate follow-up planned to vet and finalize the messaging toolkit.
Conclusion
The Connecticut Vibrio Messaging Workshop is a model of how structured facilitation, inclusive design, and cross-sector dialogue can result in actionable public health tools. By creating clarity, consistency, and shared ownership of the messaging and response process, the state is better prepared to safeguard both its citizens and its shellfish industry.
Lighthouse Consulting Group is proud to have facilitated this session and continues to support collaborative approaches that turn complex challenges into shared solutions.