NC Florida News

America's seafood industry is a crucial component of the nation's economy, supporting over 1.8 million jobs. However, it is surprising to learn that the United States currently imports more seafood than it produces. To address this issue, members of Congress are being urged to support the expansion of offshore aquaculture.

Aquaculture, the farming of fish and other aquatic species, is a thriving industry in several states, including Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, and Mississippi. It is being carried out responsibly and in an environmentally friendly manner. Offshore aquaculture plays a vital role in producing sustainable protein in the open ocean, supplementing wild-capture fisheries, and strengthening coastal economies.

With nearly half of global seafood consumption coming from fish farms, aquaculture produces various popular seafood items such as oysters, clams, mussels, salmon, black sea bass, yellowtail, and seaweeds. However, the lack of a clear and efficient permitting process for offshore aquaculture in the United States has hindered the industry's full potential and discouraged investment. Consequently, investors often take their capital overseas, resulting in a loss of jobs and revenue. To address this problem, a legislative solution has been proposed to position the United States as a leader in sustainable seafood production.

The bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act (H.R.4013/S.1861) has been introduced in Congress to support the development of a sustainable marine aquaculture industry. This legislation aims to establish a clear regulatory pathway for farms to operate in the waters and encourage investment in the industry.

Despite the United States being one of the largest consumers of farm-raised seafood, it ranks only 17th in aquaculture production globally, far behind countries like China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. The United States imports up to 80 percent of the seafood it consumes, highlighting the potential for growth in the domestic aquaculture sector.

Aquaculture presents a unique opportunity to build a new Blue Economy in America, complementing the nation's commercial fishing industry rather than competing with it. The collaboration between wild-capture fishermen and fish farmers will increase the domestic supply of sustainable, American-raised seafood. This will not only create new jobs but also revitalize working waterfronts and stimulate investment in portside and coastal infrastructure.

The benefits of an expanded aquaculture industry extend beyond coastal areas. It will also create opportunities for American farmers in the heartland, as the increased demand for sustainable fish feed will necessitate the production of crops such as soybeans, corn, peas, wheat, barley, and rice.

The United States and countries worldwide have demonstrated the ability to grow healthy and fresh seafood sustainably in their waters. It is now time to capitalize on this potential for growth and expand the aquaculture industry domestically. The advantages awaiting communities across the country are numerous.

Representatives Kat Cammack of Florida's 3rd District, Ed Case of Hawaii's 1st District, Mike Ezell of Mississippi's 4th District, and Jerry Carl of Alabama's 1st District are co-sponsors of the bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act. They are urging their congressional colleagues in the House and Senate to support this crucial legislation in the new year.