The summit presents a unique opportunity for aquaculture business leaders to help drive the seafood farming industry forward to meet the U.S. economic and environmental needs.
Congress is currently considering the Administration's National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007. The bill will help open the door for marine aquaculture and expand business opportunity in federal waters off US coasts.
Seafood contributes over $8 billion to the United States' trade deficit. America imports 80 percent of its seafood and almost half of that is from aquaculture. A robust offshore aquaculture industry will help reverse this and will help drive economic growth.
Other key note speakers will include James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House's Council on Environmental Quality.