© NOAA Fisheries
The National Seafood Strategy Implementation Plan, recently released by NOAA, highlights the importance of aquaculture expansion as part of a wider scheme to strengthen the US seafood industry.
“SATS commends NOAA Fisheries for prioritising sustainable aquaculture production as a key component of its National Seafood Strategy,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of SATS, in a press release.
“This plan outlines critical steps that the agency is taking to support growth of an American aquaculture sector, which includes a focus on developing an efficient, predictable, timely and science-based regulatory framework for offshore fish farming in U.S. federal waters. Until a clear and efficient regulatory permitting process is put in place, the U.S. will continue to miss out on the significant economic, environmental and food security benefits that offshore aquaculture would provide,” she added.
In order to achieve an increase in aquaculture production, NOAA’s programme suggests an acceleration of the progress towards an efficient, predictable, timely, and science-based regulatory framework for marine aquaculture. For its part, NOAA aims to provide continued expertise and coordination for the permitting of prospective aquaculture operations, and to lead the identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs), or areas that are deemed ideal for fish farms based on relevant environmental, economic and national security factors.
The regulatory agency also advises continued investment into aquaculture and adjacent research, including studies to provide science-based advice and tools to minimise potential negative effects of marine aquaculture operations on the environment and to support sustainable industry development.
