Iredia is a rising Grade 12 student and athlete at Highland Secondary School in Comox, British Columbia, on the unceded territories of the K’ómoks First Nation. Iredia was born in London, UK before moving at the age of 8 to live on the shores of the Red Sea for five years at KAUST, in Saudi Arabia. At KAUST, Iredia had his first experiences with snorkeling and scuba diving and learned about the biodiversity of one of the warmest and saltiest seas on the planet. Now living on Vancouver Island, Iredia has participated in summer camps at Vancouver Island University’s Deep Bay marine station on the Salish Sea. He is active with his school and local basketball club teams, and plays volleyball for the senior high school team. Iredia was recently certified as a lifeguard. Iredia has a wide range of interdisciplinary interests with specific strengths in STEM subjects and music. He has a strong commitment to justice and equity for others and for all of our relations. Iredia is thrilled to join the EarthEcho International ResilienSEA externship and this year’s cohort to learn about aquaculture and its applications to his local community.