Advocates for developing offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters are asking lawmakers to invest USD 42 million (EUR 37.7 million) to help grow the nation’s aquaculture output.
Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a coalition of industry stakeholders in offshore aquaculture, sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, highlighting the spending it says is necessary to support sustainable development of the aquaculture sector.
“By prioritizing domestic aquaculture, you will support the growth of an American seafood community that is resilient to economic and climate changes and is part of a holistic approach to a greater sustainable food strategy, as well as help achieve the president’s goal, laid out in his executive order, of making the United States ‘the world’s dominant seafood leader,’” SATS President Chris Stock said in the letter.
According to SATS, offshore aquaculture remains an untapped industry in the U.S. The nation ranks 18th in aquaculture production while importing more than 80 percent of the seafood consumed in the country. The aquaculture industry has long argued that the biggest impediment to the industry’s growth is the lack of a clear regulatory and permitting framework for offshore aquaculture projects.
To help address that issue, SATS's biggest funding request is USD 19 million (EUR 17 million) to implement NOAA Fisheries' five-year strategic plan for aquaculture. In addition, SATS would like lawmakers to provide USD 5 million (EUR 4.5 million) for a new cooperative institute focused on aquaculture development, which was provided for in the fiscal year 2024 appropriations bill. The group claims the institute will help fulfill the tenets of the strategic plan for aquaculture.
“We strongly support the launch of the CI in 2025 without delay,” Stock said.
SATS is also asking lawmakers to provide USD 18 million (EUR 16.1 million) for ...
