- Jacques Cousteau, 1973
Of Special Note
NOAA Aquaculture Program
The NOAA Aquaculture Program focuses on enabling commercial finfish and shellfish production to help meet increasing seafood demand as well as developing aquaculture as a fisheries management tool to enhance stocks of wild fish. Pictured here are Atlantic halibut being farmed in tanks on land at the University of Maine's Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research. [NOAA Aquaculture Program photo]
Aquaculture is the fastest growing form of food production in the world. It is also a significant source of protein for people in many countries, including the United States. Globally, nearly half the fish consumed by humans is produced by fish farms. This worldwide trend toward aquaculture production is expected to continue. At the same time, demand for safe, healthy seafood is also expected to grow.
As a federal agency under the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is at the forefront of a national initiative to help the United States become more self-sufficient in the production of seafood. This initiative is based on sustainable commercial marine fisheries complemented by robust domestic aquaculture production. The highlight of NOAA’s recent aquaculture efforts is the introduction of the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007. If enacted, the bill would create a regulatory framework for safe, sustainable aquaculture operations in U.S. federal waters, three to 200 miles off the coast and expand a research program for all of marine aquaculture, not just offshore.
NOAA's overall aquaculture efforts are focused on creating domestic supply to meet the nation’s growing demand for seafood; establishing aquaculture and as a viable technology for replenishment of important commercial and recreational marine fisheries; and creating opportunities for the United States to engage the global aquaculture community through scientific and technological exchange.
This site addresses:
- What is Aquaculture – What does the term "aquaculture" mean? Does this form of food production include fish, shellfish, plants, animals or all of the above?
- Aquaculture in the United States – Which species do we grow? How? Where?
- About the NOAA Aquaculture Program – What role does NOAA play? What are NOAA’s aquaculture priorities?
- NOAA's Aquaculture Library – How do I find out more about the latest in aquaculture science and research?
- Funding Opportunities – Who is offering funding opportunities?
- News & Notices – What's new in aquaculture and what’s coming up?