News and Notices

Aquaculture is a dynamic issue. New policies are being discussed, technologies are being tested, new projects are getting underway, and milestones are being marked. This page provides links to reports, press releases, meeting notices, research results, and the activities of the NOAA Aquaculture Program. The items are presented in reverse chronological order so the most recent links are listed at the top. For more information, contact the NOAA Aquaculture Program's Outreach Coordinator, Kate Naughten.




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September

Posted September 29, 2009

NOAA Aquaculture Manager to Address Pacific Shellfish Growers
Dr. Michael Rubino, NOAA’s Aquaculture Program manager, will be the keynote speaker at the 63rd annual Shellfish Conference and Trade Show in Portland, Oregon, on September 29, 2009. The conference is sponsored by the Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association and the National Shellfisheries Association’s Pacific Coast Section. The conference attracts growers from Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii who farm a variety of shellfish including oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and geoduck.

New Report Focuses on Technology Research Needs for U.S. Marine Aquaculture
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Aquaculture Program has released a new report, "Overcoming Technical Barriers to the Sustainable Development of Competitive Marine Aquaculture in the United States". The 120-page report is based on the discussions and outcomes of a meeting sponsored by NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in February 2008. Edited by Craig Browdy and John Hargreaves, the report identifies aquaculture technology research needs in the United States with a focus on overcoming technical barriers for environmentally and economically sustainable marine aquaculture. The four technologies addressed in the report are:

  • Land-based production of marine shrimp;
  • Land-based production of marine finfish;
  • Coastal shellfish production; and
  • Cage production of marine finfish.

Click here to view or download the 120-page report. For more information, or to obtain a hard copy, send an e-mail with your street address to Kate.Naughten@noaa.gov.

Popular USDA Program Changes Name, Misison
On October 1, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s agency formerly known as the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) will become the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). All current authorities administered by CSREES will be transferred to the new institute, which will be led by Dr. Roger N. Beachy. NIFA’s mission is to stimulate and fund the research and technological innovations that will enhance and make U.S. agriculture more productive and environmentally sustainable while ensuring the economic viability of agriculture and production. NIFA was created under the 2008 Farm Bill to strengthen agriculture research (including aquaculture) and to attract additional highly competitive research scientists to related fields. A growing program in competitive research grants will be a hallmark of the new agency.

AquaNIC Launches Redesigned Website
A popular web portal featuring aquaculture resources, the Aquaculture Network Information Center or 'AquaNIC', recently launched an updated and redesigned site. AquaNIC is funded through the NOAA Sea Grant College Program with support from USDA’s North Central Regional Aquaculture Center. First launched in 1994, AquaNIC is run by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Auburn University's Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquaculture, and the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College Program. 

Extensive Bibliography on Shellfish and the Environment Posted
The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association launched an updated website in September 2009 featuring information on a variety of topics including sustainable seafood, environmental benefits and impacts of shellfish aquaculture, human health, country of origin labeling, and upcoming events. The site also features an extensive bibliography on shellfish aquaculture and the environment.

Posted September 16, 2009

Ocean Policy Task Force Requests Input
President Obama established an Ocean Policy Task Force in June, led by the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The Task Force is charged with developing a recommendation for a national policy that ensures protection, maintenance, and restoration of oceans, our coasts and the Great Lakes. It will also recommend a framework for improved stewardship and effective coastal and marine spatial planning. As part of its work, the Task Force is holding a series of public meetings over the next several months. The first meeting was held in Anchorage, AK, in August. The second meeting is on September 17, 2009, in San Francisco, CA. Interested stakeholders can also submit comments online.

NOAA Testifies at House Hearing on Offshore Aquaculture
On September 9, 2009, the Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Dr. Jim Balsiger, testified on offshore aquaculture before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife. The hearing was chaired by Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of Guam. To view or download Dr. Balsiger’s Testimony, click here. Additional testimony and a video archive of the hearing is available on the House Resources website.

New Aquaculture Feeds Paper Published
On Sept. 8, 2009, a new scientific paper, Feeding Aquaculture in an Era of Finite Resources, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper features the strides being made to reduce the amount of fishmeal in aquaculture feeds. The lead author is Dr. Roz Naylor of Stanford University. Two of the nation's leading experts on alternative aquaculture feeds are co-authors on the paper, Dr. Ron Hardy of the University of Idaho and Dr. Delbert Gatlin of Texas A&M University. Both of these researchers are involved in the NOAA-USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative, led by Dr. Mike Rust of the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center.

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Posted September 3, 2009

NOAA to Pursue National Policy for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture
On September 3, 2009, NOAA announced its intent to develop a comprehensive national policy for sustainable marine aquaculture in the coming months, providing a framework for addressing aquaculture activity in federal waters. The national policy also will provide context for the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Regulating Offshore Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico, which took effect on Sept. 3.

“We will develop a national policy that focuses on the protection of ocean resources and marine ecosystems, addresses the fisheries management issues posed by aquaculture, and allows U.S. aquaculture to proceed in a sustainable way,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA Administrator.

The national policy will build on NOAA’s significant work to date to safeguard U.S. coastal and ocean environments, while enabling sustainable domestic aquaculture that adds to the U.S. seafood supply and supports important commercial and recreational fisheries. The policy also will include development of coordinated federal standards for permitting aquaculture facilities in federal waters and strategies to provide the scientific information needed for permitting decisions.

The following documents are also available for viewing or download:

House to Hold Aquaculture Hearing on Sept. 9
The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife, led by Del. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), will hold an oversight hearing on Offshore Aquaculture on Sept. 9, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. in Room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, DC. The hearing will be webcast via the House Resources website. For more information on the hearing, click here. For a link to the live webcast on the day of the hearing, go to: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php. Look for the “webcasts” logo on the pick list to the left.

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August

Posted August 31, 2009

Public Comment Period on National Aquatic Animal Health Plan Open until October 20, 2009
The National Aquatic Animal Health Plan (NAAHP) for the United States is available for public review and comment until October 20, 2009. The NAAHP was developed by a Task Force led by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department Agriculture, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is anticipated that this plan will provide a framework for how APHIS, FWS, and NMFS should develop programs for diseases that affect the health of aquatic animals such as finfish, crustaceans, and mollusks. Click here to view or download the draft plan. For specific guidance on submitting public comments, go to the Federal Register notice: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-19702.htm. For more information contact the NOAA Aquaculture Program’s National Aquatic Animal Health Coordinator, Kevin Amos.

NOAA Restoration Center Announces New Funding Opportunities
The NOAA Restoration Center is accepting applications for several habitat restoration funding opportunities. They are:

National Sea Grant National Law Center Posts Response to Aquaculture Inquiry
The National Sea Grant Law Center’s Advisory Service response to an inquiry by the NOAA Aquaculture Program has been posted to the center’s website. The response, from National Sea Grant Law Center Director Stephanie Showalter, examines the territorial limits of federal law in federal waters. To view the document, click here. For more information on the center or to view other responses to aquaculture-related requests go to: http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/SGLC/National/advisory.htm.

Comments Welcome as NOAA Launches Strategic Planning Effort
NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco recently opened the stakeholder comment period for the agency's Next Generation Strategic Plan. The objective of this phase of the planning exercise is to solicit thoughts and ideas from stakeholders in the form of a short survey accessible at: www.noaa.gov/ngsp. The overall goals of the plan are to:

  • Inform and respond to the priorities of the new Administration;
  • Engage and respond to stakeholders;
  • Respond to the long-term external challenges facing the agency; and
  • Meet the GPRA and related requirements.

The initiative supports NOAA’s role in helping understand and predict changes in earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. For more information or to participate, go to: www.noaa.gov/ngsp.

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Portion of 2009 Federal Disaster Funds Targeted to Aquaculture
In 2009 NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office was the vehicle for the granting federal disaster relief funds to the Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery. The disaster relief funds, administered through the region’s State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office (SFCP), totaled $15 million each to Maryland and Virginia. The funds were to offset the effects of the collapse of the blue crab fishery and a major portion of the funding will be used to explore the potential of oyster aquaculture as an alternative livelihood for displaced fishermen. Funds will be used to restore wild oyster habitat, and to train current blue crab industry participants in oyster aquaculture. For more information contact David Alves, NOAA’s Northeast Regional Aquaculture Coordinator.

Funding Red Tide Disaster Relief Funding Applied to Aquaculture
In 2009 the State, Federal and Constituent Programs Office in NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region administered the Red Tide Disaster Relief funding for New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. In New Hampshire, the proposed projects funded by this program include an expansion of oyster culture in Great Bay aimed at diversifying the industry into areas not affected by red tide outbreaks. For more information contact David Alves, NOAA’s Northeast Regional Aquaculture Coordinator.

Saltonstall-Kennedy Grants Awarded in Northeast Region
In 2009 seven Saltonstall-Kennedy competitive grant proposals totaling $1.6 million were awarded by NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region. The projects are:

  • Development of a technology platform for the assessment and controlled delivery of therapeutic bacteriophages in aquaculture.
  • Use of alternative lipid sources and finishing feeds to improve the nutritional value and safety of aquaculture products.
  • The development of a probiotic feed supplement for the American lobster.
  • Biofouling tunicates on shellfish aquaculture gear as potential vectors of harmful algal introductions.
  • Addressing issues of hatchery production and grow out of sea urchins for aquaculture development in the Gulf of Maine.
  • Epidemiological studies on a parasite ciliate of blue crab and its possible role in winter mortalities.

For more information contact David Alves, NOAA’s Northeast Regional Aquaculture Coordinator.

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Online Registration for Virginia Aquaculture Conference Open
The 2009 Virginia Aquaculture Conference will be held November 13-14 at the George Washington Inn & Conference Center in Williamsburg, Virginia. The conference will provide an opportunity to learn about current and upcoming issues and to explore new developments in culture technology. A draft agenda is available online. The conference will also host the annual meeting of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association. Registration for the conference is $75 on or before October 23, and $95.00 from October 24 to November 13. Online registration will be available until November 4. After November 4, registration will be at the door. For more information, go to the conference website: http://www.vaaquacultureconference.com/index.html.

USDA Calls for Input on 2010 Census of Aquaculture
As part of the planning process for the 2010 Census of Aquaculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service currently is currently accepting stakeholder feedback including recommendations or any other ideas on ways to improve the census. Comments must be received by September 25, 2009. Click here for more information, or go to: http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2009-08-12-E9-19347.

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay Published
The Maryland Environmental Service recently announced that the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay Including the Use of a Native and/or Nonnative Oyster is available online at: http://www.nao.usace.army.mil/OysterEIS/.

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Posted August 7, 2009

Sea Grant Science Symposium to Focus on the Ecology of Marine Wind Farms; Registration Now Open
Registration is open for the 8th Annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium which is set for November 2-4, 2009, in Newport, Rhode Island. The symposium will focus on the development of offshore renewable energy systems in the U.S. as an international priority driven by the need to reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels and decrease human impacts on global climate. That discussion will take place within the context of the accelerating worldwide demand for high quality seafoods, marine bioactive products, and recreational opportunities. "The Ecology of Marine Wind Farms: Perspectives on Impact Mitigation, Siting, and Future Uses" will bring together international experts in wind energy, biotechnologies, seafoods, fisheries, aquaculture, and leading legal and policy experts to discuss innovative methods for the integration of these future uses into wind-farm marine areas. Five sessions are planned, including:

  • Marine Spatial Planning, Economic, Policy and Legal Issues;
  • Status of Innovative Aquaculture Technologies Suitable for Integration with Offshore Renewable Energy Systems;
  • Innovations in Fisheries Systems;
  • Designing and Managing Offshore Structures to Enhance Coastal Habitats and Fishing; and
  • Discussions on Formation of International Working Groups on Knowledge Transfer, Mitigating Impacts and Future Uses of Windpower Areas.

For more information or to register, go to: http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/baird/2009/.

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Posted August 6, 2009

NOAA's Northeast Region Posts Aquaculture Page
This week, NOAA’s Northeast Aquaculture Team successfully launched the agency’s first-ever regionally-focused aquaculture website. The Northeast Aquaculture site highlights current activities in the region and the status of aquaculture in each state in the region. The URL is - http://www.nero.noaa.gov/StateFedOff/aquaculture/.

Registration Open for U.S.-Japan Aquaculture Meeting
Registration is open for the 2009 United States-Japan Natural Resources Panel on Aquaculture to be held October 26-27, 2009, at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. The symposium - titled the Interaction of Fisheries and Fishing Communities with Aquaculture - will focus on the economic, social and industry management aspects of aquaculture development in the two countries. For more information and to register, go to the Texas Sea Grant website - http://texas-sea-grant.tamu.edu/ujnr.html. A field trip, showcasing aquaculture in Texas, will take place following the symposium. Early-bird discounts on registration for the symposium, or the combined symposium and field trip, are available. Researchers interested in making a presentation should contact Mike Rust of NOAA’s Northwest Fishery Science Center at Mike.Rust@noaa.gov.

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Alternative Feeds Papers Due August 31
Building on the success of a similar session in 2009, the Plant Products in Aquafeeds Working Group (PPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are soliciting papers to be presented at a joint technical session at the Aquaculture America 2010 annual conference titled, Alternative Feedstuffs for Aquaculture. Papers should focus on research conducted on alternatives to fishmeal – including but not limited to plants, algae, yeasts, insects, fisheries by-products, etc. – and replacements for fish oil. The papers should address performance measures identified in the Plant Products in Aquafeed Strategic Research Plan. Abstracts for this session are due August 31, 2009. Details on registration and abstract submission can be found online at the World Aquaculture Society website. NOTE: When filling out the abstract submission form online, be sure to check the box that connects your abstract to the special session entitled “Alternative Feedstuffs for Aquaculture”. Abstracts must also identify the goal in the PPA Strategic Research Plan covered by the proposed paper. For more information, contact Diane Bellis at dbellis@agsourceinc.com.

NOAA's Newest Statistics on U.S. Seafood Consumption, Commercial and Recreational Landings, and Aquaculture Production Available
An electronic version of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual report, Fisheries of the United States 2008, is now available on the NOAA Fisheries Service website at: http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/fus/fus08/index.html. Fisheries of the United States presents the latest statistics on the nation's commercial and recreational fishery landings, domestic aquaculture production, seafood imports and exports, per capita fish consumption and consumer expenditures for fish products.

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June

Posted June 4, 2009

NOAA Opens 60-Day Public Comment Period for Gulf Aquaculture Amendment
On June 4, 2009, NOAA opened a 60-day public comment period for the Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. This plan will be available for public review and comment through August 3, 2009. Comments will be accepted online and by mail. Specific instructions on submitting comments are available in the Federal Register notice. Links to the complete Federal Register notice and additional information on the history and background of this fishery management plan are listed below. For more information, contact the NOAA Aquaculture Program Southeast Regional Coordinator Jess.Beck@noaa.gov.

Notice of Availability of the Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico

NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Office Fishery Bulletin announcing the public comment period for the fishery management plan

Frequently asked questions links on the Gulf Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan (external pdf)

Fishery Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico - January 2009 (external pdf)

Presentation on Open Ocean Aquaculture: Technological and Environmental Issues (external ppt)

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council website (click on “library” and “aquaculture”)

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NOAA Issues Call for Papers for 38th Annual UJNR Symposium The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking papers and scientific delegates for the 38th Meeting of the U.S.-Japan Natural Resources Panel on Aquaculture to be held October 26 – 27, 2009, at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Rust of NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center via e-mail at: Mike.Rust@noaa.gov. This symposium will focus on the interrelated roles of fisheries and aquaculture in managing the coastal environment, economics of fishing and/or aquaculture communities, resource allocation, management costs, and how advanced technologies impact these issues in the U.S. and Japan. Presentations on economics, social sciences, industry development, and community planning are welcome. More information is available online at the NOAA Aquaculture Program website: http://aquaculture.noaa.gov/pdf/ujnrann.pdf.

NOAA-USDA-PPA Issue Call for Papers on Alternative Feeds Building on the success of a similar session in 2009, the Plant Products in Aquafeeds Working Group (PPA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are soliciting papers to be presented at a joint technical session at the Aquaculture America 2010 annual conference titled “Alternative Feedstuffs for Aquaculture”. Abstracts for this session are due September 2009.  Papers should focus on research conducted on alternatives to fishmeal – including but not limited to plants, algae, yeasts, insects, fisheries by-products, etc. – and replacements for fish oil. The papers should address performance measures identified in the Plant Products in Aquafeed Strategic Research Plan. For more information, contact Diane Bellis, AgSource, Inc., via e-mail at: dbellis@agsourceinc.com.

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May

Posted May 25, 2009

Details on the 2010 Budget Request for the NOAA Aquaculture Program Posted

On May 7, 2009, the President transmitted the Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2010 to Congress. This included his budget request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which includes $6.1 million for NOAA's Aquaculture Program and $1.6 million for the National Marine Aquaculture Initiative. For more information on the 2010 budget request for the NOAA Aquaculture Program, click here.

NOAA Issues Call for Papers for 38th Annual UJNR Symposium

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking papers and scientific delegates for the 38th Meeting of the U.S.-Japan Natural Resources Panel on Aquaculture to be held October 26 – 27, 2009, at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas. This symposium will focus on the interrelated roles of fisheries and aquaculture in managing the coastal environment, economics of fishing and/or aquaculture communities, resource allocation, management costs, and how advanced technologies impact these issues in the U.S. and Japan. Presentations on economics, social sciences, industry development, and community planning are welcome. For more information, click here.

March

Posted March 20, 2009

Deadline to Apply for Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for Marine and Coastal Habitat Restoration Projects through NOAA is April 6

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking applications for projects that will restore coastal and marine habitats under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. NOAA is accepting applications for a variety of habitat restoration projects - including wetlands restoration, dam removals, shellfish restoration, and coral reef restoration. To compete well, applicants will have to demonstrate that their project can achieve significant ecological benefits, maximize jobs creation/preservation, and are “shovel-ready.” Typical investments by NOAA are expected to range between $1.5 million to $10 million per project. Applications are due by April 6, 2009. To view the full announcement, including information on eligibility and how to submit an application, click here, or go to the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/recovery/. For more information on the Recovery Act, click here or go to: http://www.recovery.gov/

Other potential funding opportunities for aquaculture-related funding through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act:

NOAA Sponsors Workshops on Alternative Aquaculture Feeds

As part of the ongoing NOAA-USDA Alternative Feeds Initiative, the NOAA Aquaculture Program was the co-sponsor of two successful workshops which highlighted the advances being made in the development of alternative feed ingredients for farmed seafood. On February 2, 2009, the program worked with Dr. Mike Rust, the Aquaculture Program Manager at the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center, to host a workshop on alternative feeds at the annual Seafood Choices Summit in San Diego. The workshop, which featured experts from an international feeds manufacturer, EWOS, and a U.S. aquaculture company, Troutlodge, attracted a good cross section of attendees, including representatives of the seafood marketing and processing industries, aquafeeds manufacturers, environmental NGOs, and seafood retailers. Just two weeks later, on February 17, 2009, NOAA, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, and the independent U.S. Plant Products in Aquafeeds Working Group co-sponsored a workshop on alternative feeds at the Aquaculture America meeting in Seattle. This event is the largest aquaculture conference and exposition in the United States. Over 100 participants attended the NOAA-USDA-PPA all-day workshop, which highlighted advances being made in reducing the amount of fish meal and fish oil required in diets for a variety of freshwater and marine species. To view or download the book of abstracts from the NOAA-USDA-PPA workshop, click here.

NOAA Aquaculture Program Adds Regional Coordinators

The NOAA Aquaculture Program has added regional coordinators to focus on issues related to fish and shellfish farming, hatcheries and stock enhancement, permitting, and policy in the Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions. Diane Windham is the Southwest Regional Aquaculture Coordinator working out of the NOAA Fisheries Southwest Regional office in Sacramento, CA; Dr. Jessica Beck is the Southeast Regional Coordinator working out of the Southeast Regional Office in Saint Petersburg, FL; and Harry Mears is the Northeast Regional Coordinator and the Director of the State, Federal, and Constituent Programs Office at the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Regional Office in Gloucester, MA. He is being assisted by David Alves, a fishery management specialist with the Northeast Regional Office.

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Report Released

Developed by the Maryland and Virginia Sea Grant Programs and funded by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, “Shellfish Aquaculture Development in Maryland and Virginia", details the history of shellfish aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay and describes current opportunities and challenges. To view or download an electronic version, click here, or go to: http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov and scroll through the Hot Topics section on the front page.

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February

Posted February 5, 2009

Comment on New Natl. Institute for Food and Ag by Feb. 6

The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is requesting stakeholder input on the establishment of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, a new agency that will replace the current USDA-CSREES. All programs and authorities currently delegated to CSREES will transfer to the Institute no later than October 1, 2009. The deadline for stakeholder input is February 6, 2009. For more information, including the Federal Register notice and directions on how to submit comments, go to the CSREES website or click here.

Comment on Oregon Offshore Forum White Paper by Feb. 13

The draft white paper from the Oregon State University's Forum on Offshore Aquaculture in the Pacific Northwest is available online for public comment until Feb 13, 2009. To view the draft, go to the Oregon State University Forum website and click on White Paper, or click here. To post a comment on the OSU website, click here.

The White Paper features a set of recommendations for the future evaluation of offshore aquaculture in the Pacific Northwest. The forum also made two over-arching recommendations:

  1. Education and outreach on offshore aquaculture should be undertaken to benefit coastal communities; and
  2. Demonstration projects should be established to determine technical, biological, economic and environmental aspects of offshore aquaculture.

Held in September 2008, the forum was an initial step to provide interested parties with information on current scientific, technical, economic, and social aspects of offshore aquaculture in order to better evaluate its potential in the Pacific Northwest. The forum was comprised of a mix of talks and breakout sessions. All the talks are available as PDF documents and streaming video from the forum’s web site.

Health Risks and Benefits of Seafood Consumption Addressed in New FDA Report; Agency Seeks Public Comment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking public comment two new draft documents addressing the health risks and benefits of seafood consumption. The first document, a draft risk and benefit assessment report, reflects an effort by FDA to quantify the impact of eating commercial fish on three human health endpoints:

  1. Neurodevelopment, as measured by verbal development, to assess effect from prenatal exposure to methylmercury as passed from the mother to the developing fetus;
  2. Risk of fatal coronary heart disease; and
  3. Risk of fatal stroke.

Each of these health endpoints has been associated in the scientific literature both with adverse effects of methylmercury exposure (including through fish consumption) and beneficial effects of regular fish consumption. The risk and benefit assessment provides further scientific information about the likelihood and magnitude of both a beneficial net effect and an adverse net effect at current levels of commercial fish consumption and exposure to methylmercury through fish consumption in the United States.

The second document is a compendium of research prepared by FDA for use in developing its quantitative risk and benefit assessment. That document includes an in-depth overview of the scientific literature regarding the health effects of fish and of  important long chain omega-3 fatty acid on cardiovascular disease and neurodevelopment. 

When peer and public review are complete, the draft risk and benefit assessment report and the draft summary of published research are intended to add to the growing body of scientific literature investigating the likelihood, magnitude, and direction of health impacts linked to consumption of commercial fish. For more information, or to view the documents go to the FDA website.

FDA Publishes Guidance on Market Names for Seafood

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently posted updated guidance on acceptable market names for seafood and an updated, searchable Seafood List on its website. The guidance document is intended to provide guidance to industry about what FDA considers to be acceptable market names for seafood sold in interstate commerce and to assist manufacturers in labeling seafood products. For more information, click here.

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January

Posted January 12, 2009

NOAA Official to Address National Academies Panel on Jan. 15

The NOAA Aquaculture Program’s National Aquatic Animal Health Coordinator, Kevin Amos, will participate in the National Academies Ocean Studies Board meeting on Best Practices for Shellfish Mariculture in Irvine, California, on Jan. 15, 2009. For more information, go to: http://dels.nas.edu/osb/mariculture.shtml. To view the meeting agenda, click here.

Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan on Gulf Council Agenda, January 28-29

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is developing a regionally based framework for regulating aquaculture activity in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The purpose of the Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan is to manage the development of an environmentally sound and economically sustainable offshore aquaculture industry in the region. The council will hear additional public comment and vote on the proposed management plan at its upcoming meeting, January 28-29, 2009, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. There will be an informal question and answer session on council issues from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 27. For more information, go to: http://www.gulfcouncil.org/. To view the meeting announcement, click here.

NOAA to Host Workshop at Seafood Choices Conference Feb. 2

The NOAA Aquaculture Program is a co-organizer of a workshop focused on the advances and commercialization of alternative feed ingredients for aquaculture at the upcoming Seafood Choices Conference in San Diego, California. Scheduled for February 2, 2009, the workshop will be moderated by Dr. Mike Rust, Sustainable Aquaculture Program Manager at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center. For more information, go to: http://seafoodchoices.org/seafoodsummit.php. To view the program, click here.

NOAA Staff to Participate in Aquaculture America Meeting, Feb 15-18

Staff from the NOAA Aquaculture Program and the Northeast and Northwest Fisheries Science Center will participate in the World Aquaculture Society’s Aquaculture America meeting scheduled to be held in Seattle, Washington, February 15-18, 2009. Sessions include federal aquaculture policy, aquatic animal health, advances in the development of alternative feed ingredients for aquaculture, open ocean aquaculture, ISO standards, seafood certification, and more. For more information, go to: https://www.was.org. For a schedule of presentations, click here.

29th Annual Milford Aquaculture Seminar Set for February 23-25

The 29th annual Milford Aquaculture Seminar, sponsored by NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center Milford Lab, will be held February 23-25, 2009, in Meriden, Connecticut. The two-day program focuses on scientific and technical advances related to shellfish aquaculture as well as challenges facing the shellfish aquaculture industry. The NOAA Aquaculture Program’s Senior Policy Analyst, Susan Bunsick, will be speaking at the meeting. For more information, go to: http://mi.nefsc.noaa.gov/seminarworkshop.

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