Aquaculture is quickly emerging as a key bipartisan issue – increasingly recognized by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle as a critical industry to boost our nation’s economy and ensure a steady supply of healthy, sustainable, American-raised protein.
The growing bipartisan momentum for this commonsense seafood solution suggests that Congress should be able to agree on a clear pathway forward to support and expand open ocean aquaculture into U.S. federal waters.
Read MoreStronger America Through Seafood (SATS) has launched a new campaign calling on Congress to support a pathway for open ocean aquaculture in U.S. waters. Fish farming in the open ocean is hindered in America today due to the lack of federal legislation to support industry growth – costing our nation an estimated $877 million and thousands of jobs. SATS’s month-long campaign will highlight all the U.S. is missing out on in economic and environmental benefits without a thriving aquaculture industry.
Read MoreNational Seafood Month is a timely reminder of seafood’s vital role in supporting American jobs and economic growth, while providing healthy, nutritious, and sustainable protein options for families in communities nationwide. Congress has the opportunity to continue to recognize the value of seafood and prioritize the future of America’s seafood industry by supporting the growth of aquaculture in federal waters. By establishing a path forward to expand open ocean aquaculture in America, the U.S. can grow our economy, create thousands of well-paying jobs, and secure a sustainable seafood supply for generations to come.
Read MoreAs more Americans recognize the importance of sustainable food production to combat climate change and address our nation’s food security challenges, a local Long Island-based business, Manna Fish Farms, is helping to pave the way for a sustainable seafood future in the U.S. Founded by Donna Lanzetta, Manna Fish Farms is leading efforts to establish offshore farms in federal waters off the coasts of Long Island and Florida. In addition to other Manna seafood businesses, Donna is working with local universities and non-profits in these states, as well as in California, to develop Aquaculture Innovation Centers. With a strong commitment to sustainability and transparency, and planned farm operations based on the latest science, research, and technology, Manna Fish Farms seeks to raise finfish, shellfish, and seaweed in local waters for American families to enjoy.
Read MoreVirginia boasts a thriving seafood industry—and presents a clear opportunity for even greater growth through the continued expansion of aquaculture. A 2022 Virginia Tech study found that Virginia's aquaculture industry boosts the state's economy by providing jobs and supporting related businesses. A steady supply of seafood—both wild and farmed—coming into waterfront communities and ports helps create jobs across the seafood supply chain. There is clear potential for greater economic opportunities through the continued expansion of fish farming. This opportunity highlights the need for federal legislation to support offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters.
Read MoreThis month, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Michael Rust, Ph.D., a Senior Research Fellow at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, working on research projects that advance understanding, governance, and development of sustainable aquaculture in the context of climate change and seafood demand. As we celebrate National Ocean Month and reflect on the valuable resources provided to us by our ocean waters, it is a timely reminder of the potential that offshore aquaculture would provide to American communities as we seek ways to raise more nutritious and climate-friendly seafood here in America, while working in complement with our wild capture fisheries.
Read MoreSeafood advocates from across the country will be on Capitol Hill this week during a two-day legislative fly-in hosted by Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) to educate lawmakers on the benefits a fish farming industry in federal waters would bring to American communities.
Read MoreIn celebration of Earth Month, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Tyler Sclodnick, the Principal Scientist and Aquaculture Science Services Lead at Innovasea. Tyler discusses the continued advancements in science and technology that help to make aquaculture one of the most sustainable forms of protein production today and explains why the U.S. should support the expansion of an offshore aquaculture industry to increase our supply of healthful and affordable seafood.
Read MoreAquaculture feed innovations make today’s modern fish farming industry one of the most sustainable forms of protein production. The Massachusetts-based company KnipBio is developing alternative feed ingredients that help minimize the environmental footprint of fish farms as farmers grow and raise healthy and sustainable seafood. Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed KnipBio’s Chief Science Officer, Guillaume Salze, Ph.D., to learn about their exciting work.
Read MoreThe emerging aquaculture industry was in the spotlight at this year’s USDA Outlook Forum during a “Tapping the Potential for U.S. Aquaculture” presentation. The panel, featuring two of Stronger America Through Seafood members, Cargill and Sysco Foods, explored how the expansion of fish farming off our shores would cultivate economic benefits for the U.S. agriculture industry – creating new jobs and economic opportunities for both terrestrial and fish farmers while helping to diversify our nation’s food supply.
Read More“Now is the time to create a robust aquaculture industry to ensure food security and support our economy,” write Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL-3), Ed Case (D-HI-1), Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) and Jerry Carl (R-AL-1) in a new opinion piece that is running in The Hill this week.
Read MoreChef William Dissen, named as one of America’s “Most Sustainable Chefs,” is the Executive Chef & Owner of Asheville's Marketplace Restaurant. He prioritizes creating “innovative farm-to-table cuisine” by using ingredients and artisan products from within 100 miles of the restaurant. Chef Dissen is an advocate for sustainable aquaculture to help increase local supplies of American raised seafood.
Read MoreChef Grace Ramirez, a New York-based chef featured on the Food Network and fisherwoman, is a champion for sustainable seafood and advocates for the expansion of aquaculture in the U.S. Learn more from Chef Ramirez in our latest interview.
Read MoreAdvancing legislation on aquaculture was cited as a top priority this Congress for Mississippi Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) during the House Committee on Natural Resources’ Member Day Hearing on Priorities in the 118th Congress on November 2.
Read MoreDuring National Seafood Month, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Elizabeth Kenyon, Executive Chef of Manolin and Rupee Bar in Seattle, to learn about the role that well-managed aquaculture can play in meeting sustainable seafood demand and her experience with sourcing from aquaculture farms in the Pacific Northwest.
Read MoreAs one of the most environmentally friendly forms of protein production, aquaculture is successfully and sustainably producing seafood that feeds the world. In fact, aquaculture is now the fastest-growing global food production sector. Dozens of nations worldwide have embraced fish farming to produce protein in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner.
Read MoreStronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Bill Bien, CEO of Forever Oceans, a U.S.-based company that executes commercial deep-water, offshore finfish aquaculture. SATS spoke to Forever Oceans to learn more about their operations and the technology that makes offshore finfish aquaculture sustainable, the benefits that a robust domestic industry would provide American communities, and why federal legislation is needed to support U.S. offshore aquaculture.
Read MoreSATS interviewed one of the sponsors of the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act: Representative Kat Cammack from Florida’s third congressional district.
Read MoreU.S. House and Senate leaders are putting support behind expanding sustainable U.S. aquaculture. Companion legislation to the bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act was re-introduced in the U.S. House by Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Ed Case (D-HI-01) and Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) this week.
Read MoreAs we celebrate National Ocean Month, new legislation was introduced in the 118th Congress to support the expansion of sustainable aquaculture in U.S. communities, which would provide economic, climate and food security benefits.
On June 7, Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) joined together to re-introduce the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act in the U.S. Senate.
