For Immediate Release
Seattle Fish Company Applauds Federal Effort to Establish National Standards for Offshore Aquaculture
Expansion of sustainable aquaculture would benefit American communities nationwide
DENVER, CO – MARCH 11 – SEATTLE FISH COMPANY, a member of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), applauds the federal effort to expand regulated offshore aquaculture in U.S. waters. The bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D, MN-7) and Congressman Steven Palazzo (R, MS-4).
Derek Figueroa, President & CEO, Seattle Fish Company, said, “Seattle Fish Company is committed to increasing the consumption of sustainable seafood. Our planet’s surface is 72% water, yet only 7% of our protein comes from our oceans, rivers and lakes. Responsible aquaculture is a solution to feed our growing planet a responsible, nutritious and and delicious protein that our bodies need. We applaud the hard work of SATS and Reps. Peterson and Palazzo in introducing the AQUAA Act to allow for prudent expansion of offshore aquaculture.”
The AQUAA Act would establish National Standards for sustainable offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory pathway for offshore aquaculture in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ) which will support growth of the domestic offshore aquaculture industry.
Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food sector in the world, but the U.S. ranks only 16th in the production of farm-raised seafood. The lack of a predictable, affordable and efficient permitting process for offshore aquaculture in the U.S. hinders the growth of the industry. Federal action would reverse that trend and increase U.S. production of sustainable, affordable and healthful seafood, while protecting our wild-capture fisheries and natural resources.
The regulated expansion of domestic aquaculture would benefit communities across the country in coastal and agricultural states by stimulating economic growth and creating thousands of new jobs. Increased aquaculture production would also benefit farmers of soybeans, corn and peas — products that would be used to create fish feed, easing pressure on ocean resources while providing a new market for U.S. farmers.
Learn more about the benefits of aquaculture here: https://www.strongerthroughseafood.org/multimedia-center
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Press Contact:
Taylor Laitsch
Marketing & Communications Manager
Seattle Fish Company
tlaitsch@seattlefish.com
303-810-7257