Aquaculture Magazine reports:
Industry coalition Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) sent a few days ago a letter signed by more than 50 leaders in the seafood industry to leaders of the House Natural Resources Committee. The objective was demonstrating the growing support for expanding aquaculture in the United States (US) federal waters to increase production of healthful, sustainable and affordable seafood in American communities.
The letter of support received over 50 signatures. It was signed by representatives across the seafood industry, as well as environmental organizations, chefs and academia. It is important to remember that there are currently three offshore aquaculture related bills awaiting Committee action.
“SATS is proud to lead this industry letter of support as we advocate for expanding aquaculture in US federal waters,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of SATS.
“With nearly 80% of the seafood consumed in the US being imported—up to half of it farmed raised overseas—and climate change impacting wild capture fisheries, enhancing our domestic seafood production through aquaculture, in complement with our wild fisheries, is not just a smart choice but a necessity. A robust American offshore aquaculture industry is essential to bolster our sustainable seafood supply and secure our nation’s food security, and we encourage the Committee to take action to advance legislation that would facilitate growth of the industry,” she said.
Unique potential of offshore aquaculture
The letter, was addressed to Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Ranking Member Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-OR), and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) and explained the unique potential that offshore aquaculture, one of the fastest-growing sustainable forms of food production in the world, has to improve American food security and nutrition, enhance coastal resilience, create quality jobs, help restore species and habitats, and ensure that seafood (both wild-caught and farmed) continues to be an important part of the global food supply.
The letter also offers industry support as the Committee considers three offshore aquaculture related bills: HR 4013, the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, HR 5944, the Science-based Equitable Aquaculture Food (SEAfood) Act, and HR 1461, the Coastal Seaweed Farm Act.
Advances of the last 20 years
The letter also said: “Advances in science and technology have significantly reduced the environmental footprint of offshore aquaculture in the last 20 years. Further, science and research demonstrate that aquaculture is one of the most sustainable forms of protein production. With our expansive coastline and many suitable spaces to site farms, we can make sustainable, environmentally sound offshore aquaculture in the US a reality now”.
Between the signatures can be founded the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture, Innovasea, Skretting, Aqua Spark, Food + Planet, National Fisheries Institute, North American Renderers Associations, Soy Aquaculture Alliance, Aquabyte San Francisco, Beaver Street Fisheries, Blue Ocean Mariculture, Kailua-Kona, HI Blue Water Fisheries, Hopkinton, Bon Secour, Cargill, Forever Oceans Bethesda, Fortune Fish and Gourmet Bensenville, x Hatch Blue Kailua-Kona, High Liner Foods, Forever Oceans, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute San Diego, and a long list of academics.
Stronger America Through Seafood advocates for federal policies and regulations that help secure a stronger America through increased US production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood.
