Overview | In Focus | Funding | Partners | Events | Results/Impacts | Resources | Contacts

Overview

Global demand for seafood is projected to increase by 70 percent in the next 30 years, and harvests from capture fisheries are stable or declining. A consensus is growing that a dramatic increase in aquaculture is needed to supply future aquatic food needs. More than 70 percent of the U.S. demand is now met by imports, resulting in a fisheries trade deficit of several billion dollars annually. Research and development in support of sustainable aquaculture production will improve the ability of the United States to supply American consumers and the global marketplace with high-quality, safe, wholesome, and affordable fish, shellfish, and other aquatic products. In cooperation with our land-grant university partners and diverse stakeholders, CSREES provides leadership and funding for aquaculture research, technology development, and extension programs. CSREES provides approximately $30 million annually to our partners to conduct aquaculture-related research, education, and extension activities.

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In Focus

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued an interim final rule for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program for fish and shellfish.
• The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule for effluents limitation guidelines for concentrated aquatic animal facilities became final on June 2004.
• USDA launched a Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers program that includes aquaculture and fisheries products affected by lower-priced imports.

Partnerships

• CSREES provides leadership for and funds five regional aquaculture centers that work with industry and universities to solve regional aquaculture problems.
• CSREES chairs the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture, which reports to the President's National Science and Technology Council's Committee on Science.

Events

• "Aquaculture America 2005: Aquaculture Image, Sustainability and All That Jazz" Annual National Conference and Exposition, New Orleans, LA, January 17-20, 2005.

Selected Results and Impacts

• CSREES has funded scores of aquaculture-related research projects through a variety of funding sources.

Resources

• Trade Adjustment Assistance for Farmers, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), USDA. Petition registry for producers, resources, contacts, and more.
• AquaNIC: Aquaculture Network Information Center. Diverse on-line aquaculture resources, including fish species, on-line courses, and more.
• Regional Aquaculture Centers, Mississippi State University. Links to the five CSREES-funded regional aquaculture centers, research, fact sheets, and more.


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Contacts

Meryl Broussard

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