The demand for sustainable protein is on the rise, yet the US is nearing its sustainable limits when it comes to wild seafood. Interestingly, to meet this rising demand, we’re importing about 85% of our seafood, with half of that coming from foreign fish farms.
So, why aren’t we tapping into sustainable fish farms right here in American waters?
Recently, some members of Congress have put forward ideas to break down key barriers to open ocean farming in the US. A bipartisan initiative, known as the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act, was introduced by Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). This aims to pave the way for open ocean farming by establishing assessment programs that evaluate potential commercial-scale projects in federal waters.
Open ocean aquaculture has backing from major environmental organizations, but, surprisingly, there hasn’t been a single commercial finfish farm operating in federal waters to date. A small offshore farm project near Florida recently managed to receive permits after a lengthy seven-year approval process.
This project will be in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with permissions also needed from the Environmental Protection Agency. Still, there are additional regulatory hurdles that must be cleared before the project can fully commence.
The difficulties encountered by other entrepreneurs looking to engage in ocean farming in US waters reveal that the current federal permitting process is not adequately structured to support aquaculture’s growth. These companies often face lengthy and overlapping costly environmental reviews from multiple agencies, as well as a lack of clear authority or a regulatory framework to guide their efforts. This complicates, if not entirely obstructs, the establishment of fish farms in US waters.
The proposed American marine aquaculture research framework is fundamental for nurturing the open aquaculture industry in the US. Building on years of effort from previous Congress sessions, this bill intends to form a dedicated aquaculture department within NOAA to help navigate the federal permitting process. It proposes timelines for authorization, along with an integrated environmental review during this period.
Additionally, the bill will allocate grants to modernize communities reliant on coastal work, enhancing infrastructure that benefits both commercial fishing and aquaculture. There’s also a focus on workforce training, aiming to prepare a new generation for careers in this field.
This legislation allows the US to demonstrate what we already know: just as other countries have done, we can sustainably cultivate more of our own seafood off our coasts.
This sustainable opportunity is gaining traction not just in Congress, but also among prominent environmental groups, seafood industry leaders, chefs, and academics who assert that open ocean aquaculture poses no threat to our oceans.
Thanks to advanced technology, responsible seafood farming can support the sustainable use of our wild fish catches to satisfy the increasing demand for fresh, domestically-grown seafood. This shift could create job opportunities while fostering investment in coastal communities. As aquaculture expands, new roles and business opportunities will emerge throughout the seafood supply chain—think hatcheries, equipment manufacturers, feed suppliers, processing plants, and retailers.
Moreover, the cultivation of key feed ingredients like soybeans, corn, and peas will open up new markets for American farmers in the heartland.
The solutions to enhance our seafood supply chain and nourish more families aren’t found overseas; they’re just off our shores.
