America's Next 250 Years Will Depend on Open Ocean Aquaculture
As the nation marks America 250, the ocean that helped build America can also help drive its future.
Working waterfronts have shaped American communities for two and a half centuries, from the fishing villages and ports that fueled early coastal economies to the fishermen, harvesters and maritime industries that continue to sustain communities today. But the next chapter of that story cannot be written by wild-catch alone.
The U.S. already harvests wild fisheries at their sustainable limit, and global seafood demand continues to climb. Meeting future demand will require growing more seafood here in our ocean waters through open ocean aquaculture.
“As we celebrate our nation’s first 250 years, we have an opportunity to invest in the next 250 by advancing responsible open ocean aquaculture that strengthens our seafood supply and supports coastal communities,” says Tyler Sclodnick, President of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS).
Today, there isn’t a single commercial fish farm in U.S. federal ocean waters. However, just this month, Hawaii-based mariculture company Ocean Era secured the final permit for its Velella Epsilon project — the first open ocean aquaculture net pen demonstration project in federal waters off Florida. This demonstration farm represents a major milestone, marking the potential for a new American industry. Yet reaching this point required an eight-year permitting process involving 9 different federal and state laws and 12 different federal and state agencies.
The Velella Epsilon project is helping demonstrate what is possible, but it also shows the need for a clearer federal framework to support future open ocean projects.
The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act would provide the foundation needed to advance research and development of open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. By supporting innovation and well-managed growth, the legislation would help unlock an industry with the potential to generate $877 million in additional economic output while creating new employment and economic opportunities throughout the entire nation.
In fact, a report by the World Wildlife Fund and World Bank identified aquaculture as one of the most promising opportunities to build a sustainable global food system over the next 25 years, projecting the sector could generate 22 million new jobs by 2050 and represent a $1.5 trillion investment opportunity.
“The promise of open ocean aquaculture is economic opportunity, stronger coastal communities and a more resilient seafood supply chain,” says Drue Banta Winters, SATS Campaign Manager. “Open ocean aquaculture is a question of when, not if. Now, Congress must act to establish a clear pathway for this emerging industry.”
With the world’s population expected to reach an estimated 10 billion by 2050, aquaculture offers a sustainable way to diversify our nation’s protein sources, helping meet growing demand while creating jobs and new economic opportunities.
The aquaculture industry is already well-studied, and American scientists and technicians are using today’s technology and research to make open ocean aquaculture even more sustainable.
“Innovations like AI-powered monitoring, improved feeds and advanced farming systems are helping modernize production, maintain top water quality, promote fish health and protect marine ecosystems,” explains Sclodnick.
Wild-catch fisheries will remain a vital part of our seafood industry, but open ocean aquaculture will complement these efforts as another source of domestically produced seafood. The same waterfronts that built America's fishing industry — from hatcheries to processing docks — are where the aquaculture industry will provide some of the greatest benefits.
“The future of American seafood will be built by honoring the traditions that came before us while embracing the innovations that must carry us forward,” emphasized Winters.
As America celebrates our history — including the industries and waterways that built our nation — we also look toward the future of our maritime story. Open ocean aquaculture represents the next chapter, building on generations of fishermen and coastal communities to create new opportunities to produce seafood here at home. Federal legislation that establishes a clear pathway for responsible aquaculture in federal waters will strengthen our domestic seafood supply and help keep our oceans healthy for the next 250 years.