Shellfish and seaweed aquaculture are increasingly recognized for their role in ecosystem services production, and a growing body of peer-reviewed science documents their connections to all categories of ecosystem services: cultural, provisioning, regulating, and supporting. This project aims to assess the state of the science and utilize the knowledge of experts throughout the United States to ide ntify key next steps for advancing the field of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture ecosystems services research. Framed as a horizon scan, this project seeks to identify not only research gaps and needs, but potentially areas where policy or management has yet to operationalize well-documented aquaculture-associated benefits and services.
In early 2023, research scientists, industry leaders, resource managers, extension personnel, and others well-versed in aquaculture ecosystem services will be invited to contribute to this aquaculture ecosystem service horizon scan. Drawing upon the collective knowledge and responses shared, findings will be synthesized and presented to introduce a preliminary prioritization and discussion of related research and management needs. In the spring of 2023, project participants will be asked to provide feedback on this synthesis. Similarly, session attendees are encouraged to share their thoughts to advance the discussion, implementation, and prioritization of aquaculture ecosystem services research.