Aquaculture reform bill enters US Senate
A trio of US senators from both major parties have jointly brought a bill before the US Senate that aims to revitalise the US aquaculture sector.
Democrat Brian Schatz and Republicans Roger Wicker and Marco Rubio introduced legislation at the end of October to support the development of an offshore aquaculture industry.
The bipartisan bill, the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, aims to increase production of sustainable seafood through the raising of fish in federal waters, which its advocates say is the most environmentally friendly means of protein production.The bill’s supporters also said it would create opportunities for new US jobs.
The bipartisan AQUAA Act would establish National Standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the US exclusive economic zone.The bill would also establish a research and technology grant programme to fund innovative research and extension services focused on improving and advancing sustainable domestic aquaculture.
In practice, the Act would need to be passed by both houses of Congress and be approved by President Joe Biden. During his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order to promote aquaculture, but so far its effect has been limited.
Welcoming the latest draft legislation, Sarah Brenholt, Campaign Manager of Stronger America Through Seafood, said:“The expansion of American aquaculture is an opportunity for federal lawmakers to address some of the most critical challenges we face, including climate, economic,and food security. Establishing an offshore aquaculture industry would spur economic growth and create new jobs at a time when we need them most.”
Senator Roger Wicker (Republican, Mississippi) said: “Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector, but the US lacks a comprehensive, nationwide system for permitting in federal waters.This deficiency prevents the development of aquaculture farms, leading to more seafood imports. Our legislation would establish national standards for offshore aquaculture, enabling US producers to create jobs and meet the growing demand for fresh, local seafood.”
Brian Schatz (Democrat, Hawaii) said:“Hawaii’s diverse aquaculture produced over US$80m of finfish, shellfish and algae in 2019.At the same time the movement to restore native Hawaiian fishponds such as those at He‘eia and Maunalua continues to develop momentum.This bipartisan bill would increase federal support for both.”
Marco Rubio, who represents Florida, said:“Marine aquaculture presents an enormous opportunity for Florida’s economy and for the food security of our nation.”
FEED barges at marine fish farms may be running on wave power in the near future if a project to explore the technology proves successful.
Australian company Carnegie Clean Energy has been awarded funding to test its MoorPower wave energy generator as a potential power source for offshore moored vessels.
MoorPower is a wave energy product designed to offer a solution to the challenge of securing clean and reliable energy for offshore activities, reducing reliance on diesel generation. Its initial target market is offshore vessels such as feeding barges for the aquaculture sector, but the future market is broader, the company said, including many other offshore operations that require energy.
Funding to show whether the concept works has been provided by the Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre (CRC).
Over the next two years, Carnegie will design, install and operate a scaled demonstrator of the technology just offshore from its headquarters and research facility in North Fremantle, Western Australia.
The A$3.4m project will be delivered with funding support from the Blue Economy CRC and in close collaboration with a consortium of partners including two of Australia’s largest aquaculture companies, Huon Aquaculture and Tassal Group. Academic and industry partners include DNV GL Australia, Advanced Composite Structures Australia, the University of Tasmania, Climate KIC/Australian Ocean Energy Group, AMC Search and the University of Queensland.
The project is supported by A$1.35m cash from the Blue Economy CRC, A$265,000 cash from Carnegie and A$1.8m of in-kind support from all the project partners.