Celebrating National Seafood Month and the Aquaculture Industry’s Contributions

October is National Seafood Month, a time to celebrate the delicious seafood on our plates. Seafood is a healthy source of protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals that benefit our health, our economy, and our planet. And the aquaculture industry plays a key role in helping supply sustainable seafood to American families.

 In the U.S., aquaculture generates $4 billion annually and supports over 22,000 jobs. But the industry’s full potential remains untapped without federal legislation to create a pathway for fish farming in our open ocean waters. The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act (S.2586/H.R. 5746) would provide the framework needed to expand commercial open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. Expanding seafood production into federal waters could generate an additional $877 million each year.

 As fish farmers and fishermen work together to increase America’s supply of sustainable seafood coming into our ports, new jobs and economic opportunities would be created in communities across the country.

 From the hatcheries that raise and supply young fish for open ocean aquaculture, to the feed mills that produce their feed, to the seafood processors who prepare and package the fish, to the wholesalers, retailers, and restaurants that sell it — and the equipment and technology companies supporting every stage of seafood production — growth in aquaculture benefits the entire seafood supply chain.

 It also opens new markets for America’s terrestrial farmers who grow the crops used in plant-based fish feeds, such as soybeans, corn, peas, wheat, barley, rice, canola, and flaxseed.

Learn more about the seafood supply chain.

 In celebration of National Seafood Month, Lisa Wallenda Picard, the CEO of the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating people about the importance of fish and seafood and promoting American families to eat more seafood, said:

“The National Fisheries Institute has long supported concrete steps to expand domestic aquaculture by removing the many federal regulatory hurdles that stifle innovation and impede investment in this critical space. The Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act will help get viable commercial open ocean aquaculture projects off the ground, so our nation can increase production here at home of this fantastic protein.”

 This National Seafood Month, we celebrate America’s aquaculture industry and its contributions to our lives, health, and economy, and remain committed to continuing to educate federal leaders on the opportunities that a robust open ocean aquaculture industry would provide our country.