April 26, 2013 — Recognizing the suite of economic, environmental, food safety, and food security benefits provided by domestic aquaculture, the President’s increased the fiscal year 2014 request for aquaculture research funding at NOAA.
NOAA plays a multi-faceted role in supporting sustainable marine aquaculture through funding cutting-edge research, developing federal policy and regulation, conducting outreach, and developing international partnerships. The NOAA Fisheries Office of Aquaculture coordinates and leads efforts to carry out the Department of Commerce and NOAA National Aquaculture Policies in cooperation with NOAA Fisheries’ Science Centers and Regional Offices, the Office of Atmospheric Research’s National Sea Grant College Program, and the National Ocean Service.
In fiscal year 2013, $5.6 million was allotted for all aquaculture activities at NOAA. For 2014, the President has requested an increase of $1.1 million. Half this increase will be used to support NOAA’s National Shellfish Initiative by expanding research with federal and state agencies, tribes, and the shellfish industry to increase production of wild and cultured shellfish in the Pacific Northwest, California, and New England.
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