Supporting American Industries through Aquaculture Growth

By Horace G. Dawson, III, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Red Lobster Seafood Co., and member of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS)

As one of the world’s largest seafood purchasers, Red Lobster believes it has a responsibility to protect and preserve the oceans and marine life for generations to come. Sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood plays a critical role in protecting our fisheries and ocean ecosystems.

As the world population is projected to increase from 7.7 billion today to 9.7 billion by 2050, demand to feed the world with sustainable protein sources will increase by at least 70 percent. A solution to meet the seafood demand is the expansion of offshore aquaculture in America, in coexistence with wild fishing.  

In addition to supplying American restaurants and grocery stores with an abundance of healthy and affordable American-raised seafood, aquaculture will create new jobs in our communities and help revitalize the national seafood industry, which is facing unprecedented challenges during this ongoing public health crisis.

While aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world, the U.S. ranks just 16th in aquaculture production despite thousands of miles of coastline, plentiful capital resources, and innovative technologies. Last month’s bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate, which includes Senator Marco Rubio of Florida as a co-sponsor, is an encouraging step forward. The Senate bill complements a companion bill in the U.S. House and outlines a regulatory path to create an expanded aquaculture industry in American coastal and Midwest communities.

To support the development of domestic offshore aquaculture, further congressional action through debate and the passage of legislation is needed. With the proper federal policies and regulations put in place, the U.S. can be one of the top countries for aquaculture production and reap the economic, environmental and health opportunities it provides.

By Horace G. Dawson, III, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of Red Lobster Seafood Co., and member of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS)