SATS Recognizes Importance of Expanding U.S. Aquaculture During Aquaculture Week

Aquaculture Week was established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to educate the public on the vital role that marine aquaculture has in supporting our nation’s seafood production, providing year-round jobs, rebuilding protected species and habitats, and enhancing coastal resilience. 

What is aquaculture?

Aquaculture is the raising of fish and other aquatic life in all types of water environments, including saltwater and freshwater. Scientific research continually demonstrates that offshore aquaculture has a low environmental impact in the surrounding waters when done carefully and managed responsibly.

As one of the most environmentally friendly forms of protein production, aquaculture is successfully and sustainably producing seafood that feeds the world. In fact, aquaculture is now the fastest-growing global food production sector. Dozens of nations worldwide have embraced fish farming to produce protein in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner. More than half of the seafood consumed globally today comes from aquaculture. 

Why should aquaculture be expanded in the U.S.?

Here in the U.S., aquaculture is successfully operating across many states to feed their communities and create jobs. Marine aquaculture produces numerous species, including oysters, clams, mussels, shrimp, seaweeds, and fish such as salmon, black sea bass, sablefish, yellowtail, and pompano. Learn more about U.S. aquaculture in the states here.

But due to the lack of a clear and efficient permitting process, the U.S. aquaculture industry remains hindered. The U.S. ranks just 17th in aquaculture production worldwide, behind nations like China, India, India and Vietnam. See the full global ranking here. As a result of the growing seafood deficit, the U.S. imports up to 80% of its seafood.

Through federal legislation, Congress can establish a clear, predictable federal policy framework for marine aquaculture, which would encourage more business investment here in the U.S., instead of overseas, and ensure American food security.

What are the economic opportunities of an expanded American aquaculture industry?

Part of the new Blue Economy, an expanded aquaculture industry would provide economic opportunities for American communities throughout the U.S. From coastal to rural states, communities across America would benefit from the creation of new job opportunities for American workers throughout the U.S. supply chain, including for fish farmers, feed producers and manufacturers, and seafood processors, as well as for American farmers of crops that can be used in fish feed, such as corn, soybeans, peas and more. Learn about the U.S. seafood supply chain here.

Sustainable seafood farming practices would also complement the wild harvest sector as the two sectors work together to increase the supply of American raised seafood. Commercial fishermen would benefit from collaborative aquaculture investments in local communities, as aquaculture growth would help bring much needed investments for portside and coastal infrastructure to waterfront communities and working waterfronts. 

Why is now the time for Congress to act?

Healthy seafood production alternatives are more important than ever as land resources grow scarce, and our nation faces extreme weather that threatens our nation’s fisheries. Feeding the world population of the projected 9 billion people by 2030 will take a varied set of food production methods and aquaculture is a practical solution to meet the growing demand for food.

Legislation in Congress, the bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, would establish National Standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ).