National Aquaculture Association pushes U.S. seafood expansion

The National Aquaculture Association is urging the U.S. to expand responsibly regulated domestic aquaculture as concerns grow over labor and environmental problems in overseas seafood supply chains. The group says more American seafood production could improve food security, reduce import dependence and support coastal and rural economies.

Why it matters: - The National Aquaculture Association says expanding responsible U.S. aquaculture could reduce dependence on foreign seafood, which supplies more than 80% of what Americans eat. - The group argues domestic production can improve food security while keeping seafood under stronger environmental and labor protections. - U.S. aquaculture is being positioned as a lower-risk alternative to parts of the global seafood supply chain facing forced-labor and environmental concerns.

What happened: - The National Aquaculture Association used recent reporting on overseas seafood problems to call for greater recognition of American aquaculture. - Caitlyn Czajkowski, the association’s executive director, said the U.S. has the regulatory framework, scientific expertise and responsible producers needed to expand sustainable aquaculture. - Czajkowski said the failures of irresponsible operations overseas should not define the broader U.S. aquaculture sector.

The details: - American aquaculture operates under federal and state environmental rules and raises finfish, shellfish, seaweed and other aquatic species. - U.S. producers use a range of production methods, and the sector continues to adopt advances in feed technology, production efficiency, environmental monitoring and sustainable farming practices. - Aquaculture feed development is shifting toward algae-based oils, plant proteins and other alternatives to marine-derived ingredients. - Those changes have reduced reliance on wild-caught fish while supporting farmed aquatic animal production. - Independent certification programs, including Best Aquaculture Practices and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, set environmental and sourcing requirements for certified feed manufacturers. - Best Aquaculture Practices standards include requirements for responsible sourcing and traceability of fishmeal and fish oil. - A 2022 peer-reviewed study led by University of Washington fisheries scientist Ray Hilborn examined small pelagic fish stocks representing about 60% of the global catch of those species. - The study found average stock abundance and fishing pressure had stayed relatively stable since 1970, though conditions varied by region and fishery. - Additional analysis of 137 forage fish stocks, representing more than 22 million metric tons in average annual catch, found average fishing pressure had fallen below levels tied to maximum sustainable yield, while average stock abundance stayed near or above sustainable reference levels. - IFFO, the Marine Ingredients Organisation, reported the fish-in/fish-out ratio for Atlantic salmon production fell from 3.21 in 2000 to 0.96 in 2020. - IFFO said the ratio for marine finfish fell from 1.74 to 0.75 over the same period, indicating less wild fish was needed to produce farmed fish.

Between the lines: - The association is trying to separate U.S. aquaculture from lower-standard foreign operations and frame domestic production as a climate, food security and supply chain solution. - The argument leans on regulation, certification and feed-efficiency gains to counter criticism that aquaculture depends heavily on wild fish inputs. - The message also reflects a broader push to keep seafood production, jobs and value chains inside the U.S. instead of overseas.

What's next: - NAA says it supports continued innovation, responsible sourcing and science-based policies that encourage sustainable growth in American aquaculture. - Czajkowski said expanding domestic aquaculture could help the U.S. meet seafood demand, support rural and coastal economies and give consumers more affordable seafood. - The association will likely keep pressing for policy and market support as seafood supply chain scrutiny continues.

The bottom line: - NAA wants U.S. aquaculture seen not as part of the seafood problem, but as a practical answer to it.