Ensuring access to healthy food while protecting our global ecosystems has never been more important. As we confront the challenges of climate change and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic about the fragility of our food supply chains, we must plan for a future built on resilience. To keep our marine ecosystems resilient while protecting the socioeconomic interest of coastal communities and guaranteeing seafood access for all, we must invest in and enable a robust domestic aquaculture industry. Aquaculture is a key component of our seafood systems and is one of the most climate-friendly and resource-efficient ways to achieve food security. With limited arable land and freshwater to expand terrestrial farming, human populations will increasingly turn to coastal and marine resources, and to technologies that more efficiently use space, water, and nutrients to source food and reduce climate impacts.
Seaweed farming is the fastest-growing aquaculture sector in the United States, but several challenges must be addressed to achieve the goals of increasing seafood production and reducing reliance on imports. This keynote presentation will provide an overview of current barriers facing the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry and highlight the strategic efforts NOAA Fisheries is making to overcome them. By expanding partnerships and collaborations, prioritizing needs-based research, conducting extension and outreach to various groups, and consulting on regulatory processes, NOAA Fisheries plays a vital role in supporting the growth and success of U.S. aquaculture.