The discussion over the opening of federally-owned public lands to more commercial purposes, or even selling some of them off entirely, is a hot topic this year. But what about areas of the oceans and seas that are also managed by the U.S. government? Recent federal agency decisions on future ocean development oceans could help boost food security here in U.S. – or they could reignite the heated farmed-versus-wild seafood debate.
Aquaculture, was once seen as an environmental disaster. Many environmentalists still perceive it that way. But the practice continues to make gains across the world, with the U.S. being a notable exception. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), over 90 percent of the shrimp, salmon, tilapia and other seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported. As a result, the American seafood deficit surged to over $11 billion annually.
We may be averse to having aquaculture along our shores, but instead it is outsourced abroad. And NOAA and some seafood trade organizations argue that aquaculture is increasingly becoming safer, and can make way for habitat restoration, sustainable economic development and stronger fisheries.
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