NOAA Fisheries Looks to Expand Domestic Aquaculture Production

COURTESY OF NOAA FISHERIES

HYANNIS – NOAA Fisheries is setting a goal to expand marine aquaculture production in the U.S. by at least 50 percent by the year 2020.

The organization recently released its Marine Aquaculture Strategic Plan which is focusing on the goals of regulatory efficiency, improving tools and technology and keeping the public informed.

Other strategies include strengthening partnerships, improving external communications and building infrastructure to support marine aquaculture.

Currently, the U.S. imports over 90 percent of its seafood, about half of which is farmed.

Aquaculture production as grown dramatically over the past 30 years but U.S. production has remained low.

“As demand for seafood continues to rise, aquaculture presents a tremendous opportunity not only to meet this demand, but also to increase opportunities for the seafood industry and job creation,” said Kathryn Sullivan, a NOAA Administrator, in a release. “Expanding U.S. aquaculture in federal waters complements wild harvest fisheries and supports our efforts to maintain sustainable fisheries and resilient oceans.”