Stronger America Through Seafood on Capitol Hill this Week to Advocate for U.S. Offshore Aquaculture Expansion
Seafood advocates from across the country will be on Capitol Hill this week during a two-day legislative fly-in hosted by Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) to educate lawmakers on the benefits a fish farming industry in federal waters would bring to American communities.
"The expansion of American fish farming in U.S. waters would provide economic opportunities in congressional districts across the country, including in both coastal and rural states,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of SATS. “From the creation of jobs across the seafood supply chain to complementing our nation’s wild fisheries and increasing our ability to feed more people healthy and affordable seafood, supporting growth of sustainable aquaculture in the U.S. should be a priority for all Members of Congress. We look forward to demonstrating to lawmakers the direct benefits that an expanded aquaculture industry would provide the country.”
Industry representatives participating in the fly-in include Cargill, Innovasea, JBS Foods, USA, Merck Animal Health, and Zeigler Bros.
Federal Legislation is Needed to Create a Competitive American Aquaculture Industry
As demand for sustainable protein rises, aquaculture, which is one of the most sustainable forms of protein production today, has become the fastest growing food production sector globally – producing half of the seafood consumed globally. But inefficient federal permitting processes and a lack of regulatory certainty in the U.S. has hindered growth of America’s aquaculture industry. As a result, the U.S. ranks only 17th in aquaculture production, with the U.S. aquaculture market valued at $1.5 billion – only 0.6% of the $263 billion global aquaculture market. The U.S. imports up to 80% of its seafood – mainly from Asia and Europe.
While several American states benefit from aquaculture production in state waters, the U.S. will continue to miss out on major economic opportunities until legislation is passed to support offshore aquaculture in federal waters. Federal legislation establishing a clear regulatory process for offshore aquaculture would provide the certainty needed to encourage investments in American fish farms and position the U.S. as a world leader in seafood production.
The Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act (H.R.4013/S.1861), which has bipartisan support in Congress, would establish National Standards for offshore aquaculture, clarifying a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Growth of an American aquaculture industry would also boost economic growth for other sectors in the seafood supply chain, including American farmers of crops that can be used in fish feed, such as soybeans, corn, and peas, as well as technology companies that provide solutions to support sustainable farming.
ICYMI: American Fisheries Society Hosted Capitol Hill Briefing on Innovations in Sustainable Aquaculture
On May 1, the American Fisheries Society (AFS) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing on the advances in science and technology that are driving sustainable aquaculture, including innovations in sustainable aqua feed, the latest cage technology and tools that minimize escapes, and precision feeding techniques that minimize waste and protect water quality.
Two SATS members, Don Kent, the President and CEO of the Hubbs Sea World Research Institute, and Tyler Sclodnick, the Principal Scientist and Aquaculture Science Services Lead at Innovasea, participated in the briefing.
Watch the full briefing hosted by AFS on Advances in Science and Technology Leading to More Sustainable Aquaculture.