Now through Friday, 1 April, the U.S. government will accept public feedback on a draft document that, when finalized, will help guide U.S. policies on aquaculture.
On Thursday, 3 March, NOAA released a six-page outline of its Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Economic Development. In a statement, the agency said the final version of the plan will help officials “support the viability and expansion of existing operations and encourage new entrants” into the industry.
The economic development strategic plan is one of three documents officials plan to use as the government continues its push to make the U.S. a stronger player in aquaculture production.
For now, the outline calls for implementing “effective and predictable permitting processes” to foster more investment in the industry. It also wants to expand market access for aquaculture products and improve the public’s awareness of aquaculture.
The other documents are National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research and the Strategic Plan on Enhancing Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture.
The National Science Technology Council’s Subcommittee on Aquaculture released the strategic plan for research in February 2022. That document laid out three main goals for U.S. aquaculture: developing economic growth, improving production technologies, and upholding animal welfare and product safety.
Proponents for expanding aquaculture in the U.S. say it’s an effective way for boosting domestic production and reducing the country’s overreliance on imported seafood. Bipartisan bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate to provide what they say is a cleaner regulatory framework that encourages industry growth while maintaining strong standards for safety.
Environmental groups and commercial fishing interests, though, say they’re concerned large-scale fish farms off American coastlines may harm the environment and those who rely on it for their livelihoods. In a statement, Don’t Cage Our Oceans said it’s disappointed that the Biden administration has decided to continue through with this plan hatched by the Trump administration.
“The language in NOAA’s new guide for prospective offshore aquaculture operators makes clear that the agency has greater interest in quietly expediting the permitting process for large corporations to carve up the oceans into private parcels, rather than following the environmental safeguards and consultation requirements in existing laws,” the group said. “Expansion of the offshore aquaculture industry will only exacerbate the challenges our precious marine ecosystems and fisheries already experience. Across the globe, this risky industry is associated with problems from exposing the public to health dangers, to harming fish and other wildlife, to harming coastal and fishing communities.”
In addition to comments on the draft, officials are also looking for feedback on what else should be included in the country’s national aquaculture plan.
Comments can be submitted via email. Additional information can be found on the Federal Register.
Photo courtesy of EQRoy/Shutterstock
