Produced responsibly, as it is here in the United States, farmed seafood is good for people, the environment, and the economy. Seafood, wild and farmed, is one of the best sources of nutrients essential for human well-being. Aquaculture is a resource-efficient way to grow protein, improve nutrition, and support coastal economies.
Science Accomplishments
- Launching a state-of-the-art Northeast Oyster Breeding Center to develop superior oyster strains for commercial growers in the Northeast
- Pioneering a new fish species, sablefish, to commercial viability for US farmers
- Developing new technologies to monitor harmful algal blooms responsible for paralytic shellfish toxins, helping improve safety, and helping shellfish farmers
Aquaculture Planning Accomplishments
- Working across the federal government to prepare a holistic aquaculture framework in the National Aquaculture Development Plan that strengthened food security and jobs, as well as addressed the seafood deficit
- Working with partners in Washington to prepare a new guide enhancing transparency for shellfish permitting, making it more efficient for shellfish farmers growing oysters, mussels, clams, geoducks, and other shellfish
- Providing a nationwide siting analysis to find suitable locations for commercial aquaculture development, using the best science and spatial planning
Strategic Investments in Aquaculture
- Investing $20 million across its national, state, and territorial competitive funding opportunities, establishing 86 projects in 2024
NOAA’s Aquaculture Program provides science, services, and policies that create conditions for opportunity and growth of sustainable US aquaculture. From 2018 to 2022, NOAA’s federal investment resulted in a yearly average of $69.6 million in economic impact. These investments benefited 572 businesses, supported 1,147 jobs, and contributed to 71 scientific publications.
To learn more about how NOAA’s Aquaculture Program is working to support domestic aquaculture growth, view our new report.
