Blue Ocean Mariculture, Alphabet’s Project Tidal, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Lusamerica Seafood, Ocean Era, and Pacific 6 to advocate for a science-backed approach to offshore aquaculture.
As stakeholders from around the globe gather for the Aquaculture America conference and trade show, the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) announced the addition of six new members from leading industry groups.
Blue Ocean Mariculture, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, Lusamerica Seafood, Ocean Era, Pacific6, and Alphabet’s Project Tidal will join CSA’s 10 founding environmental and industry groups and 21 award-winning chefs in advocating for an equitable and science-backed approach to sustainable offshore aquaculture in the United States. The addition of these leading industry groups will provide significant new skills and perspectives as CSA builds on its work to develop best-in-class aquaculture practices in the US.
“Ocean Era is pleased to see the marine conservation community recognizing the potential for offshore aquaculture to produce healthy seafood with minimal impact,” said Neil Anthony Sims, founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc. “We also appreciate the concerns that many have about potential ocean use conflicts or environmental impacts. We are pleased to work together with our Coalition partners to address these concerns and to mitigate potential risks in a collaborative, productive manner so that US offshore aquaculture can fulfill its potential.”
The new CSA members are joining the coalition at a critical time for the development of offshore aquaculture. With the new 118th Congress underway, policymakers and legislators are considering best practices, lessons learned from industry, and legislation such as the Science-backed Equitable Aquaculture Food Act (SEAfood Act) that will lay the foundation for a sustainable aquaculture economy in US waters.
"Blue Ocean Mariculture has spent the last 18 years demonstrating that proper site selection, choosing the right species, and constant monitoring and evaluation of the environment surrounding net pens are critical when developing an offshore fish farm,” said Dick Jones, CEO at Blue Ocean Mariculture. “We are excited to become members of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture, so the learnings from our success can become a model for others to emulate. We look forward to moving the conversation forward so that science-based decision-making can drive the aquaculture industry into the future."
Founding partner of Pacific6 John Molina added, "Pacific6's aquaculture initiatives are designed to be models for safe, sustainable, and scalable aquaculture in the US We need to 'do it here, do it right, do it now,' by emphasizing proven science, utilizing best practices and latest technologies, embracing regulatory oversight, and demonstrating a diligent concern for the environment. We're pleased to join the members of CSA on a mission to fulfill these objectives.”
The US imports up to 85% of the seafood we consume—half of which is farmed. Seafood farmed overseas often lacks the rigorous environmental and health standards US consumers expect from their food suppliers. According to an EDF survey, 7 in 10 Americans want the seafood on their plates to be locally and sustainably harvested with stringent standards and guidelines.
"There is an urgent need to protect the ocean while feeding humanity sustainably,” said Neil Davé, general manager of Tidal. “Tidal is pleased to join the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture with EDF and the other members to support and lead the way in creating technological advancements, monitoring, and ocean modeling that will contribute to this outcome."
Food production must double by 2050 to meet the demand of the world's growing population, according to the United Nations. Additionally, estimated US per capita consumption of fish and shellfish averaged about 16.1 pounds per year in recent studies from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Together with wild-caught seafood, aquaculture can help meet the growing demand.
“Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is excited to work with EDF and the other members of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture in demonstrating how marine aquaculture can meet the growing demand for food while minimizing impacts to the environment,” said Don Kent, president and CEO of Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. “Only by taking the existing best practices and applying them in a thoughtful and measured manner can we hope to develop the protocols for an economically and environmentally sustainable industry.”
Co-Founding CSA Member and Minorities in Aquaculture Founder Imani Black welcomed the new members saying, “Getting aquaculture right in the US starts with bringing everyone to the table. We all want to see sustainable, safe, and healthy seafood on the menu, and that means growing it here at home with a regulatory framework that protects the ocean and strengthens our communities. Creating a growing network that includes multiple industry representatives in the beginning of the process only strengthens the future, greater impact of sustainable aquaculture on US communities.”
