According to the Federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) US is ready for a major expansion of fish farming in America provided wild fish stocks and the environment are properly protected. The agency said that the draft policy is designed to support sustainable marine aquaculture to increase the US supply of healthy seafood, create jobs in coastal and other communities, spur innovation in technology, and help restore depleted species and marine habitats.
The public is invited to comment on both draft policies for next 60 days. US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said that Americans consume nearly five billion pounds (lbs) of seafood each year. He added that supporting the US aquaculture industry will encourage economic growth and employment opportunities at home, support exports to global markets, and spur new innovations in technology to support the industry.
The NOAA said that aquaculture is playing a significant and growing role in global food production. In the US some 84 percent of the seafood Americans eat is imported, and about half of those imports are aquaculture products. NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco said that aquaculture has the potential to complement wild fisheries while contributing to healthy oceans and coastal economies.
