NOAA’s administrator yesterday announced a new aquaculture initiative to help meet the US’s growing demand for seafood, while creating jobs and restoring healthy ecosystems.
The agency’s Aquaculture Technology Transfer Initiative will foster public-private partnerships on regional projects that showcase innovative sustainable practices, jump start private sector investments, and create employment opportunities in coastal communities.
“Aquaculture is a critical component to meeting increasing global demand for seafood,” said Dr Jane 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.”
In June, the Department of Commerce and NOAA released national policies that support sustainable marine aquaculture in the United States. Americans import about 84% of their seafood, half of which is from aquaculture. The US trade deficit in seafood currently exceeds $10 billion and continues to grow.
“Aquaculture can be a significant contributor to a ‘blue-green’ economy that both contributes to and benefits from healthy oceans and coasts,” Dr Lubchenco said.
As part of this initiative, NOAA will work with its partners in the private sector, academia, government and communities to advance technology, monitor performance indicators, and showcase best practices and market-based standards. The initiative will be implemented with the active involvement of NOAA’s regional offices and science centres, Sea Grant Extension, and other federal, state, local and non-governmental partners. Jointly, NOAA and its partners willidentify and pursue projects that promote sustainable domestic marine aquaculture. American expertise and innovation has played a significant role in the development of aquaculture in foreign countries.
