Our AquaFuture is Bright, If We Invest in Ocean Food Systems

By James A. Morris, Jr., Ph.D., Marine Ecologist, NOAA National Ocean Service

The U.S. is recognized as a global leader in responsibly managed fisheries, but market demand for seafood exceeds sustainable wild harvest in the U.S. and globally. It has for quite some time but the imperative is getting ever stronger for more healthy and sustainable food choices. While U.S. leaders have been developing marine aquaculture with significant investment in research and small business development, we are not a global leader in aquaculture production despite having expansive working waterfronts, abundant growing areas, access to markets, and the tools and technology. According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, the U.S. is ranked #1 in opportunity for ocean-based aquaculture development; however, we now rank 17th in global aquaculture production behind countries such as Nicaragua, Egypt, and Indonesia. This means that greater than 85% of our consumed seafood is imported (creating food insecurity), over half of which is grown in Asia (with lower environmental and labor standards) resulting in more than a $16 billion trade deficit. How did this happen? How did a country that ranks in the top three agricultural producers in the world miss the opportunity to grow a globally competitive aquaculture sector?

 Some reasons for this missed opportunity are clear including public misperceptions about aquaculture, uncertain permitting processes resulting in low investor confidence, and perceived competition with wild capture fisheries. However, it is not too late and there is growing optimism for marine aquaculture. With well over three million square miles of ocean in federal waters, the U.S. has the space, environmental stewardship ethics, and well-suited environments to become a global leader again in agriculture, this time in “marine” agriculture. So what is it going to take to get it right? American ingenuity, rigorous environmental oversight, and an efficient and predictable permitting process. At NOAA, we are focused on solving those challenges. We are developing innovative aquaculture planning and siting tools such as OceanReports, which queries hundreds of data sets and provides an ocean neighborhood analysis within seconds providing early ocean intelligence to avoid user conflict. We are also conducting science assessments, developing forecasting tools capable of keeping seafood safe, helping the private sector innovate new aquaculture technologies, and much more.

 This is a defining moment for our nation. Let’s support American ingenuity. Let’s grow here, eat here, and sell some there! It’s our AquaFuture!