Carlsbad aquafarmers, who use science to breed commercial seafood supplies, are fighting to grow their industry at home.
Theyre doing so despite competition from importers who are used to gorging on U.S. dollars and opposition from animal welfare activists.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 70 percent of seafood consumed domestically each year is imported.
About half of all imports are aquafarmed, said Donald Kent, president and chief executive officer of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.
The value to importers is $11 billion. In comparison, the United States aquaculture industry generates about $1 billion in sales, Kent said, so the gap is enormous.
Source: San Diego Business Journal
Theyre doing so despite competition from importers who are used to gorging on U.S. dollars and opposition from animal welfare activists.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 70 percent of seafood consumed domestically each year is imported.
About half of all imports are aquafarmed, said Donald Kent, president and chief executive officer of the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute.
The value to importers is $11 billion. In comparison, the United States aquaculture industry generates about $1 billion in sales, Kent said, so the gap is enormous.
Source: San Diego Business Journal