National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) this week launched a new marine aquaculture initiative designed to restore ecosystems and create jobs.
The agency’s Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will foster public-private partnerships on regional projects that showcase innovative, sustainable practices and create employment opportunities in coastal communities.
The initiative was announced by NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco at the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Carlsbad, Calif., on Monday. Its debut comes just over a month after NOAA released its national marine aquaculture policy, which will guide agency’s fish-farming activities and provide a national approach to supporting aquaculture.
“Aquaculture is a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood,” said Lubchenco. “Job creation is a major focus of this administration. This initiative provides an opportunity to support innovation and growth in the private aquaculture sector, resulting in a healthy, local seafood supply and job growth at our working waterfronts.”
The initiative will be implemented by NOAA’s regional offices and science centers, Sea Grant Extension and other federal, state, local and non-governmental partners. Jointly, NOAA and its partners will identify and pursue projects that promote sustainable marine aquaculture.
