Role of Aquaculture Producing Sustainable Protein for Growing Population in the U.S.

The U.S. has the resources and technological know-how to be a world leader in responsible aquaculture.

FREMONT, CA; The seafood industry has long been a significant economic force in the United States, employing over 1.7 million people in recent years. Yet, despite the industry's strength, rich fishing grounds, and strong ports, the country imports far more seafood than it produces.

With the U.S. importing 90 percent of its seafood, it is clear that wild capture fisheries alone will not be able to meet our growing demand for seafood. As a result, it is past time for the United States to diversify our food supply by encouraging the growth of the fledgling aquaculture industry while supporting the growth of other related industries such as agriculture.

The bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, introduced in Congress on October 28, would help the American aquaculture industry grow.

The expansion of the aquaculture industry can also help support other industries, such as the agriculture industry in the United States. Aquaculture would provide new economic opportunities for America's terrestrial farmers, particularly those growing corn, peas, and soybeans, which can all be used in fish feed.

Furthermore, as seafood production increases, jobs in manufacturing, processing, distribution, and sales and marketing will become available. As a result, workers with experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning, which enable sustainability and measurement, will be highly demanded.

These technologies have made fish farming a commercially viable method of producing clean, healthy seafood in an environmentally friendly manner. The company, Innovasea, places a premium on innovation and science.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of outdated and misguided myths about aquaculture. The truth is that fish farming is a tried-and-true method of producing food. Furthermore, according to scientific research, offshore aquaculture has a little environmental impact when done carefully and responsibly. For example, species such as mussels are naturally sustainable because they help clean the ocean floor when it comes to shellfish.

Fish farming is the world's fastest-growing food sector, and the United States must embrace this burgeoning industry. Still, the lack of a clear, predictable federal permitting process prevents viable offshore aquaculture projects from attracting investors or gaining traction.