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US aquaculture industry requests Biden's support for domestic seafood production

Advocates outline the climate impacts and potential benefits of aquaculture and request that the administration prioritize seafood production to help mitigate climate change

US aquaculture industry requests Biden’s support for domestic seafood production
Photo source: SATS
May 21, 2021

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), an industry coalition that advocates for increasing Americans’ access to healthful, sustainable and affordable U.S. seafood, sent a letter to President Biden to outline the climate impacts and potential benefits of aquaculture and request that the administration prioritize seafood production to help mitigate climate change. The letter was signed by over 70 aquaculture advocates, including American scientists, environmental advocates and industry leaders.

Margaret Henderson, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood, said that “as our federal leaders seek innovative solutions to address the climate crisis, aquaculture, one of the most resource-efficient methods for protein production, should be considered as a tool to help feed our growing population responsibly while protecting our planet. Through federal action, the Administration and Congress can establish a clear regulatory pathway for permitting offshore aquaculture that would support a sustainable seafood future, increase the resiliency of our food systems, and create new jobs in communities nationwide.”

Kevan L. Main, director of Mote Aquaculture Research Park, said that “if we are going to feed the growing world population, we must continue to advance the development of sustainable marine fish farming technologies. Protein production from sustainable aquaculture systems is more efficient and less damaging to the environment than other animal protein production.”

Read the letter here.