2021: The Year for Aquaculture

By Margaret Henderson, Campaign Manager, Stronger America Through Seafood

The new year promises unlimited opportunities and renewed hope for the future of our country. After one of the toughest years in our nation’s history, Congress will need to prioritize legislative initiatives that will help American communities recover from the unprecedented challenges and hardships that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. Aquaculture should be one of those priorities.

In 2021, Congress has an opportunity to build on the progress that was achieved this year in advancing a viable U.S. aquaculture industry. From the introduction of bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate, the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, to an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, momentum for the growth of a strong U.S. aquaculture industry has never been greater.

We are hopeful that lawmakers who recognize the jobs and economic benefits that aquaculture can bring to their states and districts and its potential to solve many of our food security and environmental challenges will take the steps necessary to make the U.S. aquaculture industry competitive in the global market.

Today, aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world, and it is projected to maintain its position as the fastest-growing food production technology for the next two decades. And while the U.S. has the potential to be one of the top countries for aquaculture production, we currently rank only 16th – lagging far behind other countries, such as Norway and Chile, that are already reaping the benefits of a robust aquaculture industry.

The primary obstacle to expansion of the U.S. aquaculture industry is the lack of a clear and consistent federal regulatory process for farming in federal waters. The lack of federal guidelines deters investment in U.S. aquaculture. Instead, American companies are developing their aquaculture operations overseas – shifting jobs and economic opportunities abroad. So, while this emerging industry continues to grow worldwide, the U.S. has fallen behind.

Let’s make 2021 the year that America emerges as a leader in one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Congress has the power to make that happen.