Opportunities Ahead with Offshore Aquaculture

There is rising consumer demand for healthful, sustainable and affordable protein. Over the next 30 years, global demand for seafood is projected to increase by 70%. Offshore aquaculture, the process of cultivating farm-raised fish in our ocean, is a safe and environmentally sound approach to meet this growing demand.

Our coalition, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), promotes federal policies, including legislation and regulations, that support and expand seafood production and American aquaculture. Aquaculture is not only an opportunity to increase America’s seafood production: it’s also an opportunity for our economy, public health and the environment.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector in the world, but the U.S. imports 90% of the seafood we eat and ranks 16th in the production of farmed seafood. Here in the U.S., nearly half of our seafood consumption already comes from aquaculture, but the majority is produced overseas. American aquaculture currently meets only 5-7% of the current U.S. demand for seafood.

Wild-caught fishing will continue to be an important source of seafood for Americans, but the growing global demand for seafood cannot be met by wild-caught fishing alone. Aquaculture compliments wild fish harvesting to meet rising consumer demand while protecting our ocean fisheries and natural resources as we face challenges that stem from a changing climate.

With a far lower environmental impact than terrestrial means of meat production, offshore aquaculture is one of the most resource-efficient processes for increasing protein production. In fact, a growing body of scientific research demonstrates that offshore aquaculture has a low environmental impact when done responsibly and managed correctly.

The industry will help grow local economies and has the potential to create an additional 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, providing year-round employment opportunities in coastal and fishing communities. Aquaculture also provides opportunities for other industries, such as the soybean industry, which can produce high-quality soybeans for fish meal.

Late last year, I testified on behalf of SATS at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation hearing titled “Feeding America: Making Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture a Reality,” and explained the need for federal action. Because of the lack of a predictable, affordable and efficient permitting process in the U.S., businesses are forced to set up their operations in other countries and the U.S. is missing out on many opportunities that would result from aquaculture. Establishing regulatory certainty will help businesses make the decision to invest here in the U.S.

We urge federal policymakers and regulators to promote policies that support offshore aquaculture, which will benefit all Americans by providing consumers with a steady supply of healthy and sustainable farm-raised seafood, creating jobs and revenue, and boosting our economy.

By Kathryn Unger, President of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) and Managing Director of Cargill Aqua Nutrition North America