Visitas: 173
By Aquaculture Magazine Editorial Team
Exploring Sustainable Seafood Futures: A Comprehensive Interview with Drue Banta Winters, Campaign Manager of “Stronger America Through Seafood” – Insights from Aquaculture America 2024. The coalition’s key focus is offshore aquaculture due to its potential for rapid growth, minimal environmental impact, and significant contribution to meeting the global demand for protein with a low carbon footprint.
Established in 2017, the “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS) coalition unites leading voices from the seafood supply chain to champion the growth of sustainable U.S. seafood production via offshore aquaculture.
With the endorsement of industry companies like Zeigler Brothers, Merck, Inova Sea, Cargill, Highliner Foods, and Fortune Fish & Gourmet, SATS is at the forefront of addressing America’s seafood trade deficit. The coalition’s strategy is centered around boosting domestic aquaculture seafood production, which is essential for ensuring a reliable seafood supply, generating employment opportunities, and reinforcing the economic stability of America’s working waterfronts.
“With a strategic emphasis on offshore aquaculture, the “Stronger America Through Seafood” initiative is pioneering a movement toward sustainable seafood production.”
Championing methods that promise swift scalability, ecological responsibility, and a substantial role in satisfying worldwide protein needs with a reduced carbon footprint, the coalition stands at the forefront of a seafood revolution. This forward-thinking approach not only addresses the urgent demand for sustainable protein sources but also propels the United States into a leadership position in the global aquaculture industry.
Legislative efforts, primarily through the AQUA Act, education of Congress members and their staff, and advocacy for appropriate federal funding, form the cornerstone of their strategy. They aim to dispel myths about aquaculture’s environmental impact, emphasizing advances in technology and sustainable practices that reduce risks such as fish escapes and disease.
SATS actively engages with various stakeholders, including Congress, to raise awareness about the success of offshore aquaculture globally. They encourage participation from the seafood industry and the public to build a robust support system for their cause. The organization spreads its message through media outreach, educational briefings, and participation in key industry events like Aquaculture America 2024.
“In conclusion, SATS is at the forefront of a movement to revolutionize U.S. seafood production through offshore aquaculture. While there are hurdles, such as regulatory un certainties and financing challenges, the coalition remains optimistic about the future.”
Their efforts to educate policymakers and the public, coupled with strategic partnerships, are vital steps towards establishing a more self-sufficient, environmentally responsible, and economically viable seafood industry in America. With continued advocacy and education, SATS is dedicated to turning the tide towards a stronger America through seafood.
In the pivotal world of sustainable aquaculture, Drue Banta Winters stands at the forefront as the Campaign Manager for “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS), shaping a vision for the United States that balances ecological integrity with economic vitality.
Our insight ful conversation with Winters unveils the strategic endeavors and collaborations with industry vanguards that SATS spearheads to revolutionize U.S. aquaculture production, nurture job growth, and sustain our treasured marine ecosystems. Join us as we delve into the initiatives that could redefine America’s seafood industry and secure its role in a globally competitive market.
Aquaculture Magazine: Drue, it’s fascinating to hear about “Stronger America Through Seafood.” Could you enlighten us about the genesis and core mission of this remarkable coalition?
Drue Banta Winters: Absolutely. “Stronger America Through Seafood” stands at the forefront of advocating for sustainable U.S. seafood through the expansion of offshore aquaculture. Since our inception in 2017, our coalition, which includes industry companies like Zeigler Brothers and Merck, Inova Sea, has been tirelessly working to pass federal legislation and harness executive actions to grow offshore aquaculture in the United States.
Aquaculture Magazine: What steps have you taken from the outset to further your objectives?
Drue Banta Winters: One of our pivotal actions was proposing the AQUA Act in Congress. Besides that, a significant part of our journey involves educating Congress members and their staff about offshore aquaculture’s benefits and environmental sustainability, combating long standing myths with solid scientific evidence and technological advances in the field.
Aquaculture Magazine: The organization’s focus on offshore aquaculture is particularly intriguing. Why is this area singled out?
Drue Banta Winters: Offshore aquaculture presents the most promising avenue for scalable seafood production, which is crucial for addressing global protein needs sustainably. It’s not just about bolstering U.S. seafood production and reducing trade deficits; it’s about doing so with minimal environmental impact, creating jobs, and enhancing food security.
Aquaculture Magazine: In what ways have you engaged with the broader community and legislators to promote offshore aquaculture?
Drue Banta Winters: Engaging with the community and legislators has been multifaceted, from media outreach to Capitol Hill educational briefings. We also emphasize the importance of firsthand experiences, like farm visits, to dismantle misconceptions about aquaculture. More over, encouraging dialogues between scientists, farmers, and political representatives plays a vital role in our advocacy efforts.
Aquaculture Magazine: Looking toward the future, what outcomes do you anticipate for offshore aquaculture in the U.S.?
Drue Banta Winters: Though challenges remain, especially in terms of financing and regulatory clarity, we’re optimistic about establishing offshore aquaculture in the U.S. It’s a question of “when” rather than “if”.
Success here means not just economic and community benefits but also a robust, resilient seafood supply chain in the face of global challenges.
Aquaculture Magazine: What advancements do you consider achievable in the near future?
Drue Banta Winters: Our primary aspiration within the sector of off shore aquaculture is to drive legislative progress. The journey to enactsignificant legislation, especially for an emerging industry, is quite challenging. What we earnestly need is an amplified chorus of advocacy on Capitol Hill to shape a conducive political environment for legislative success.
Concurrently, our collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Aquaculture is on going, especially in securing funding to identify and develop Aquaculture Opportunity Areas.
For several years, the “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS) has actively supported increased funding for NOAA, enabling them to further their aquaculture initiatives. We are also backers of NOAA’s National Seafood Strategy, aligning our efforts with those of the current administration to endorse offshore aquaculture as part of the broader ocean climate policy and national seafood strategy.
Recently, a new economic plan pertinent to offshore aquaculture was unveiled, and SATS is poised to contribute insights to this development. Our commitment extends be yond mere advocacy; it is a concerted effort to foster informed policy-making that supports sustainable growth within our industry.
This, we believe is integral as we persist in our endeavors on Capitol Hill.
Aquaculture Magazine: With the establishment of the first offshore aquaculture farm on the horizon, what are your projections for longterm success, and do you have a time line for when we might expect to see tangible results?
Drue Banta Winters: Discerning the exact timeline for the realization of the first offshore aquaculture farm in the U.S. is challenging without a proverbial crystal ball. Nonetheless, it is a question of “when” rather than “if” these developments will occur.
The path is beset with obstacles, particularly regarding financing for farmers, stemming from regulatory uncertainties and a lack of definitive federal jurisdiction over offshore aquaculture. These are significant barriers that must be addressed to facilitate the establishment of aquaculture farms.
Once we navigate through these initial challenges, I am confident that the broad spectrum of benefits, including economic enrichment for communities and the availability of additional seafood resources, will become evident. As for legislation, it inherently requires time to pass, contingent upon the composition and priorities of Congress, as well as the influence of the committees in charge.
While I may not have the foresight to predict the exact timing, it is crucial that knowledgeable stakeholders continue to advocate for offshore aquaculture. With the presence of entities disseminating misinformation, it is paramount that those well-versed in the science of aquaculture come together to champion this cause and steer the conversation toward a collaborative and informed discourse.
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Aquaculture Magazine: In fostering collaboration within the seafood industry, what strategies do you employ to integrate stakeholders such as buyers and sellers into the advocacy group, ensuring they, too, can benefit from domestic aquaculture advances?
Drue Banta Winters: Engagement and inclusion are at the core of our approach to strengthening the domestic seafood market. We are actively seeking partnerships with companies that are eager to endorse and participate in our initiatives.
There are numerous avenues for collaboration, and we welcome dialogue with all potential allies. For instance, our board members are present at key industry events, such as the Boston Seafood Show, to facilitate direct communication and encourage more entities within the seafood industry to align with our objectives.
The imperative for a reliable and stable seafood supply cannot be over stated. With various international dynamics affecting the importation of seafood, it is essential that we bolster our national supply chains to withstand such disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities in our supply chains.
Offshore aquaculture represents a resilient solution in this context, promising consistency and stability in our seafood supply against the backdrop of climate change and other potential crises.
Aquaculture Magazine: With multiple organizations advocating for offshore aquaculture, is there an opportunity for a unified effort? How do you address the potential for fragmentation within the movement?
Drue Banta Winters: Certainly, the landscape of offshore aquaculture advocacy is not without its variety of players. While there may be divergent approaches and proposed pieces of legislation aiming to address the same challenges, dialogue, and collaboration remain at the core of our strategy.
We are actively engaging in discussions and seeking opportunities for synergy. The prospect of consolidating efforts under a singular legislative framework is on the agenda, and we are open to exploring any avenue that would accelerate progress in the industry.
Aquaculture Magazine: What mechanisms are in place for you to maintain dialogue and connections with aquaculture farmers and industry stakeholders in America?
Drue Banta Winters: “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS) maintains robust communication channels with industry professionals. Our website, strongerthrough seafood.org, is a hub of information, while our monthly newsletter, “Tipping the Scales,” is a conduit for the latest updates and insights, to which anyone can subscribe via our website.
Our outreach is expansive, but we also conduct industry briefings and participate in relevant conferences to stay connected. Our board members facilitate personal outreach to farmers, ensuring we keep the lines of communication open and productive.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Drue Banta Winters for the enlightening dialogue in her recent interview with Aquaculture Magazine. Her insights provide an invaluable perspective on the strides being made in sustainable seafood practices and the growth of aquaculture in the US.”
As advocates for progress and innovation within the industry, we are proud to align ourselves with the efforts of “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS). We commit to amplifying the reach of their initiatives, further propelling the narrative of aquaculture sustainable growth and ecological responsibility within the U.S. seafood supply chain.
Interviewer: Salvador Meza Editor and Publisher Aquaculture Magazine
Interviewed: Drue Banta Winters, Campaign Manager for “Stronger America Through Seafood” (SATS)
