For Immediate Release
Contact: jennifer.disiena@storypartnersdc.com
Stronger America Through Seafood Hosts Legislative Fly-In, Advocates for Expansion of Offshore Aquaculture
Seafood Industry to Raise Awareness of & Educate Lawmakers on Aquaculture Opportunities
Washington, D.C. – April 26, 2022 – Industry coalition Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) is hosting its first legislative fly-in since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting today, April 26 through April 28, seafood industry representatives will meet with congressional offices in the U.S. House and Senate to advocate for the expansion of the American fish farming industry through offshore aquaculture.
“The expansion of aquaculture is an opportunity to address many of the challenges we face – from increasing our supply of seafood in a sustainable manner, to supporting economic growth,” said Sarah Brenholt, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). “As we face supply chain challenges, rising inflation, and the effects of climate change on wild fish stocks, now is the time for federal lawmakers to put in place federal policies that would create a thriving American aquaculture industry. Through our legislative fly-in, the seafood community looks forward to raising further awareness of and educating lawmakers on the opportunities that aquaculture would provide communities across the country.”
While aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector globally, the U.S. ranks just 16th in aquaculture production. The annual output of the American aquaculture industry is valued at $1.5 billion – only 0.6% of the $263 billion global aquaculture market. As a result of the seafood deficit, the U.S. imports up to 85% of its seafood – mainly from Asia and Europe.
The lack of a clear and predictable policy framework for permitting offshore aquaculture deters investment in the U.S. and hinders growth of an American industry. Federal legislation is needed to correct this problem and put in place a policy framework that creates a thriving U.S. aquaculture industry enabling America to be a leader in aquaculture production.
Current legislation in Congress, The AQUAA Act (H.R.6258/S.3100), which has bipartisan support in both the U.S. House and Senate, would establish National Standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Participants from across the seafood supply chain will attend the SATS fly-in. Companies include Cargill, Innovasea, Merck, Red Lobster, Sysco, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc., Wilbur-Ellis Rangen and Zeigler Bros, Inc.
“I’m looking forward to once again meeting face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to emphasize how vital aquaculture is to the United States in terms of food security and economic development,” said David Kelly, CEO of Innovasea. “Fish Farming is a safe, sustainable way to provide protein to our growing population and presents a massive opportunity for this country to create good jobs and reduce our reliance on seafood imports – if we can simplify our cumbersome permitting processes to encourage more investment in the industry.”
“When people think of aquaculture, the first thought is often oceans, but increased aquaculture in the U.S. will also have a profound and positive impact on America’s heartland as well,” said Jesse Mitchell, Technical Sales - Aqua Feed, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc. “The expansion of American aquaculture through federal legislation would create new jobs throughout the seafood supply chain – from establishing new markets for farmers of American crops that can be used in fish feed, to creating new opportunities in seafood manufacturing and processing and more.”
“The importance of making the U.S. a more meaningful contributor to global aquaculture production has never been more evident,” said Chris Stock, Global Director – Aquaculture Sales at Zeigler Bros., Inc. “For decades we have witnessed our country’s dependency on foreign sourced seafood continuously expand. Now we have an opportunity to change this. SATS is advocating to pass legislation this year so that a clear and reliable process to establish and operate, safe and environmentally responsible aquaculture within U.S. federal waters can finally be realized.”
###
About Stronger America Through Seafood
Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) advocates for federal policies and regulations that help secure a stronger America through increased U.S. production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood. Learn more at www.strongerthroughseafood.org.