What It Will Take to Grow American Seafood: A Researcher Explains

As the U.S. seeks to grow more seafood in U.S. waters, universities like the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are leading the way in education, training and science-based research to move the industry forward. To better understand what’s needed, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Mike Coogan, a marine biologist and research assistant professor at UNH, to discuss why continued research investment and the creation of a federal pathway that supports open ocean aquaculture development in U.S. federal waters are essential to responsibly growing domestic seafood production and training the next-generation workforce.

Can you tell me about UNH’s aquaculture program and what sets it apart?

The University of New Hampshire is home to the Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems, where our mission is to apply sound science and engineering practices to seafood production. With a team of biologists and engineers, we solve ocean and seafood challenges while working hand in hand with local fishermen. Our program works to provide educational opportunities for the future U.S. workforce, innovate seafood technologies through interdisciplinary research, and collaborate with industry partners to promote responsible seafood—all while communicating our findings to benefit communities, the environment, and society.

What sets us apart is that UNH operates the only university-run demonstration farm growing finfish in U.S. state waters. As an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System (IMTA), we grow multiple species, making it ecologically and economically sustainable. It's an affordable system—two 20-by-20-foot bays—that a fisherman could use without multi-million-dollar investments. With each run of trout, we provide 40,000 to 50,000 meals. It’s not a massive operation, but it’s helping supply protein to American consumers. As an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System (IMTA), we grow multiple species, making it ecologically and economically sustainable. It's an affordable system—two 20-by-20-foot bays—that a fisherman could use without multi-million-dollar investments. With each run of trout, we provide 40,000 to 50,000 meals. It’s not a massive operation, but it’s helping supply protein to American consumers.

How do workforce training programs like UNH’s help cultivate and retain U.S.-trained talent to grow aquaculture nationwide?

Most students start in marine science wanting to work directly with organisms and, like I did, they stumble upon aquaculture and realize it checks all the boxes—it’s hands-on, it helps combat overfishing, and it secures our food future.

At UNH, we have a strong engineering program, and the beauty of our work is how integrated the engineers and biologists are. I’ve seen that a major challenge in the U.S. is that while we have talented biologists, we often lack the aquaculture engineers needed to build and optimize the infrastructure. Without domestic farms, we risk losing our best graduates to countries with more established commercial aquaculture. To change that, we work with industry across the country and use our research platforms to help create real job opportunities here at home. We are also bringing in international students to learn from countries with robust commercial operations so we can all work together to strengthen America’s seafood production.

As most of the seafood we consume here in the U.S. is imported, what do you see as the biggest barriers to producing more of it domestically?

We have over a $20 billion seafood trade deficit today. To fix that, we need a clearer, more coordinated regulatory process established through federal legislation, so a farm proposal isn't passed between 10 or more agencies and stalled for years. We need a unified, centralized federal framework for aquaculture in U.S. ocean waters. Support for legislation like the MARA Act is a strong example of how we can move forward. It’s bipartisan and science-based—relying on data and research is key to responsibly advancing the industry. Establishing a federal pathway for aquaculture in federal open ocean waters would provide greater certainty to investors, increase efficiency in the expansion of offshore fish farms, and allow the industry to grow domestically.

Why is it important for aquaculture to expand into federal waters?

The U.S. has tremendous offshore potential because we have the largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the world. Expanding into federal waters gives us significant room to responsibly farm seafood and places operations farther offshore. Deeper water—100-plus feet—also allows us to use submersible technology so pens can dip below the surface to avoid the most severe wave action during storms. From an environmental standpoint, deeper, high-energy waters are critical for proper flushing. Strong currents dilute and disperse nutrients, preventing accumulation on the seafloor. By siting farms in appropriate offshore locations, we minimize environmental impacts and ensure surrounding ecosystems remain healthy.

What steps do you think are most important for the U.S. to take now to strengthen its aquaculture industry for the future?

Continued investment from federal and state agencies is critical. We need a federal framework established through legislation to coordinate efforts and ensure a consistent regulatory process nationwide. We must continue supporting universities and research to retain talent and advance innovation, while also creating financial opportunities that allow farmers to scale responsibly. Beyond economics, we should reiterate the health benefits. We all want a healthier population, and seafood is one of the most sustainable and nutritious proteins available. Increasing domestic production allows us to provide more healthy seafood options to American consumers.

By leaning on science-based research from universities like UNH and establishing a pathway forward for aquaculture in federal waters, the U.S. can responsibly expand aquaculture, close our seafood trade deficit, and secure a more sustainable domestic seafood supply for the future.

SATSMarch 23, 2026