Support for Aquaculture Through An Act of Congress

By Kelly Lucas, Interim Associate Vice President for Research, Coastal Operations and Director of the Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center at The University of Southern Mississippi

The expansion of domestic aquaculture is one way for American communities to grow our economy, create jobs and support the seafood and agricultural industries while supplying our nation with healthy and sustainable American-raised seafood.

Bipartisan legislation was recently co-introduced by Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker along with Senators Brian Schatz and Marco Rubio. The legislation, which outlines a framework and national standards for an offshore aquaculture industry, was a welcome move. 

Today, the production of domestic seafood has been hindered by the lack of a predictable, affordable and efficient permitting process for offshore aquaculture in the U.S. The solution is for Congress to pass legislation into law that would advance aquaculture development in federal waters in the Gulf and elsewhere. By enacting the proper federal policies and regulations to support the industry’s growth, federal lawmakers would position the U.S. to be a world leader on aquaculture and increase our production of seafood sustainably, without environmental harm. States across the country would also begin to benefit from the economic opportunities that the expansion of aquaculture can provide. 

Estimates show that the doubling of American aquaculture production can create an additional 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. Here in Mississippi, one of the top crops that we produce is soybeans. As the demand for aquaculture rises, so will the demand for soybeans and other crops, such as corns and peas, which can be used as ingredients for fish feed.

The growth of aquaculture and creation of new jobs would support coastal and fishing communities, as well as farming communities, and help get Americans back to work at a time when it is needed most. That’s why I urge Congress to move quickly to properly regulate aquaculture development so American communities can enjoy the economic and environmental benefits the industry provides.