The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a total of USD 1.7 million (EUR 1.5 million) in funding for six aquaculture research projects.
The competitive grants were issued through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), a body created to consolidate the federal government’s funding for agriculture research. According to NIFA’s website, global seafood demand is expected to increase 70 percent over the next three decades, and a “dramatic increase” in aquaculture production will need to take place to meet that demand.
NIFA partners with land-grant universities and other stakeholders to conduct research and develop aquaculture technology.
One way it advances that mission is through the Special Research Grants for Aquaculture Research program, which offers competitive grants.
“[The] grant program provides support for the development of an environmentally and economically sustainable aquaculture industry in the United States by generating new, science-based information and technology to address industry constraints,” NIFA explained in a release. “Applied research is needed to develop practical solutions that will facilitate growth and remove limitations to expansion of the U.S. aquaculture industry.”
The six awardees – which will each receive just over USD 300,000 (EUR 260,930) in grant funding – are the Ballard Fish and Oyster Company, Oregon State University, Southeastern Sea Products, Stony Brook University, Mississippi State University, and the University of Maryland.
“Results of projects supported by this program are intended to help improve the profitability of the United States aquaculture industry, reduce the USD 17 billion (EUR 15 billion) U.S. seafood trade deficit, increase domestic food security, expand markets for U.S.-produced products, and provide more jobs for rural and coastal America,” NIFA said.
