The ICES Working Group for Open Ocean Aquaculture has explored the terminology used around the open ocean sub-sector of aquaculture, specifically defining the terms “offshore” and “exposed”, providing guidance on when and how to use these terms effectively, and creating indices to qualify these terms and add specificity. We have also explored many of the impacts and trends surrounding the continuums of nearshore vs offshore and protected vs exposed farming sites.
However, much research remains in the arena open ocean aquaculture, highlighted by the ultimate question of “why don’t we see more progress in this space”? This talk will review the status and need for further research in 5 key areas that are most necessary to advance an open ocean aquaculture industry and discuss why specifically don’t we see more new commercial open ocean farms today.