Aquaculture has been the fastest growing sector of global food production for decades with average annual growth rates reported as high as 8% and total estimated farmgate value of $263.6 billion in 2018 (FAO 2018; 2020). The United States (US) is an exception to this trend. We rank 3rd in terms of population but 16th in aquaculture production despite substantial coastal and inland resources for farming and an unrivaled seafood demand where we import ~90% of the products consumed. In the case of the US, slower aquaculture sector growth suggests that factors beyond population or demand exist and there are additional obstacles to industry expansion. These include but are not limited to the high production costs, prioritization of other coastal uses (e.g., fishing, tourism, development), social acceptance, policy decisions at the federal and state levels, and the current legal and regulatory environment (Garlock et al. 2020).
The advancement of a US domestic aquaculture industry is a complex topic and highly interdisciplinary issue. Sea Grant programs around the country have been serving the aquaculture community and more broadly the US working waterfronts for ~50 years through research, extension, education, and outreach. As the domestic aquaculture landscape continues to rapidly evolve and continuous innovations strive for sustainable production, it is critical that we ensure that the next generation of Sea Grant professionals are well-rounded experts in this field. Given Sea Grant’s history in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, staff throughout the network are also keenly positioned to help usher in the next phase of the seafood economy that enhances and expands aquaculture production while also helping to address on-going challenges facing fishing communities and working waterfronts. The Sea Grant Aquaculture Academy was developed to provide an interdisciplinary curriculum tailored to the needs of Sea Grant staff that is informed by network needs and designed with input from a range of partners. The first cohort of 23 Sea Grant associated aquaculture professionals completed the Academy in 2024 with a second cohort planned for 2025. We will share a detailed overview of the recent program including design, implementation, and evaluation highlights in hopes of informing other professional development programs at all levels.