A first-ever five-year strategic plan for US aquaculture has been released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with intention to guide the agency’s efforts to enhance the industry’s growth from 2023-2028.
The Strategic Plan was developed by the NOAA Aquaculture Program, which includes the NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research’s National Sea Grant Program and the National Ocean Service’s National Centres for Coastal Ocean Science.
“Through this plan, NOAA will support a thriving, resilient, and inclusive US aquaculture industry as part of a competitive domestic seafood sector,” said NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Janet Coit. “This plan will act as a framework to guide NOAA’s Aquaculture Program, set priorities to achieve our mission, and support NOAA’s vision of healthy and resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies.”
Designed to support collaboration and align goals and objectives across the NOAA Aquaculture Program and with NOAA’s partners, the Strategic Plan has four key goals:
- Manage sustainably and efficiently– improve the regulatory processes for sustainable coastal and marine aquaculture through collaboration with partners
- Lead science for sustainability – use world-class science expertise to meet management and industry needs for a thriving seafood production sector and share this knowledge broadly
- Educate and exchange information– build awareness and support for coastal, marine, and Great Lakes aquaculture through two-way communication with diverse stakeholders and partners
- Support economic growth and viability – facilitate a robust aquaculture industry that thrives as a key component of a resilient seafood sector
“Sustainable aquaculture encompasses the ‘triple bottom line’ of economic viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility,” said David O’Brien, Acting Director of the Office of Aquaculture. “As the demand for seafood continues to increase, and climate change continues to pose a threat to food security, NOAA will continue supporting efforts to grow seafood on land, in coastal waters, and the open ocean in harmony with a healthy and resilient environment.”
This is the first Strategic Plan developed by all three line offices in the NOAA Aquaculture Program.
“Our aquaculture team strives to advance sustainable aquaculture development in the United States through science, service and stewardship. We will seek to provide ongoing opportunities for public input to ensure results that are community-driven,” said O’Brien.
