June 17, 2014 — The following was released by Eileen Sobeck, Head of NOAA Fisheries:
I am pleased to announce that the White Houses' Office of Science and Technology Policy has released its National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research which includes a clear role for NOAA in advancing aquaculture research.
This plan also represents an important milestone in efforts to support economically and environmentally sustainable marine aquaculture. Over the past 30 years, we have learned a lot about how to manage aquaculture sustainably. The practices and technologies available today are significantly improved over what was available during the industry's early years. As the domestic industry develops further, we will need to continue to make improvements in large part through advances in science and technology development. This research plan provides a road map for NOAA, our federal partners, our academic research partners, and our stakeholders to effectively coordinate, collaborate, and prioritize aquaculture-related research and development activities.
Read the full message from Eileen Sobeck, Head of NOAA Fisheries