Saving Seafood

ALABAMA: Dauphin Island Sea Lab pilot in Alabama harvests first red drum

June 16, 2026 — An Alabama, U.S.A.-based aquaculture project led by Dauphin Island Sea Lab has harvested its first fish, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).

Though funded by Congress years ago, the project has effectively been dead in the water awaiting permitting and other agreements, Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture Project Manager Ashley McDonald said in a department announcement. The project finally lifted off last year after receiving a protected species agreement from NOAA and permits from ADCNR, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and a platform and fish pen were installed about 2 miles off the coast of Fort Morgan.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA strengthens commitment to aquaculture through new cooperative institute

June 8, 2026 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Today, NOAA announced the University of New Hampshire as host institution for the new NOAA Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM) to expand NOAA’s impact and strengthen efforts to boost American seafood competitiveness.

After a highly competitive application process, this new five-year cooperative institute will harness partnerships with cutting-edge researchers to advance American marine aquaculture. Approximately $13,500,000 will be available this year for projects following the establishment of CIFARM. 

“The United States is finally recognizing aquaculture as a vital complement to our world-class fisheries,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “We look forward to collaborating with these exemplary partners to continue to unlock the potential of this industry in the United States.”

CIFARM researchers will investigate solutions that can be leveraged for industry advancement, such as: 

  • Marine aquaculture demonstration projects;
  • Engineering and technology development;
  • Artificial intelligence for aquaculture;
  • Environmental observations and forecasting;
  • Risk management and vulnerability analysis; and
  • Seafood markets research.

These research priorities will also magnify scientific advancement through education, outreach, and engagement.

“We are excited to partner with NOAA on this first-of-its kind cooperative institute to advance American aquaculture,” said Elizabeth Chilton, Ph.D., president of the University of New Hampshire. “By leveraging our coalition’s scientific excellence and regional expertise, we are poised to make great strides for the aquaculture industry.” 

University of New Hampshire has partnered with a diverse suite of outstanding academic, industry, and non-governmental organization partners, including: New Hampshire Sea Grant, the University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, California Sea Grant, University of Hawaii and Hawaii Sea Grant.

“By investing in aquaculture research and markets, NOAA Fisheries continues its commitment to improving sustainable American fisheries through science-based management,” said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries. “We are proud to empower the industry to produce more seafood for American plates.”  

Americans eat $24.2 billion in imported seafood each year, about half of which is estimated to be farmed in other countries. Aquaculture creates jobs, uplifts coastal economies and complements wild-capture fisheries, while providing healthy and sustainable seafood to American families and bolstering domestic food security.

Congress directed the establishment of a new cooperative institute advancing U.S. marine aquaculture development in Fiscal Year 2024 Congressional appropriations. By providing scientific solutions for the aquaculture industry, NOAA’s effort also helps fulfill the 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth and supports President Trump’s 2025 Executive Order Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.

NOAA Aquaculture Program’s mission is to provide science, services, and policies that create conditions for opportunity and growth of sustainable U.S. aquaculture. This long-term collaborative partnership will promote research, education, training and outreach aligned with this mission. 

WHOI Sea Grant supports $1.6 million in critical aquaculture and fisheries research

April 8, 2026 — Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant has awarded $1.6 million to four new research projects that will investigate pressing concerns related to Massachusetts’ vital aquaculture and fisheries industries, including oysters, soft-shell clams, and black sea bass. The awards are the result of WHOI Sea Grant’s 2026 to 2027 biennial research competition.

“Each of these projects addresses a question we’re hearing directly from those working on the water: how to keep shellfish beds open, how to manage emerging fisheries, how to improve aquaculture practices, and how to restore oyster reefs more effectively,” said WHOI Sea Grant Director Matt Charette. “This is science driven by real needs, with outcomes that will directly benefit coastal communities.”

Over the next two years, these projects will generate new tools and data to support species economically and environmentally important to coastal Massachusetts. The Commonwealth-based researchers will also share this work with the people who will directly benefit from the findings. The projects reflect a coordinated effort to address several pressing challenges facing Massachusetts’ coastal waters and communities.

Read the full article at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

Cooke set to take operational control of Avramar Greece

March 20, 2026 —  Canada-based seafood giant Cooke is set to take operational control of Greece-based seafood firm Avramar Greece after signing a memorandum of understanding to take on the company’s debts.

Avramar Greece was first separated from Spain-based Avramar Seafood due to financial issues with the Greek business, which began pursuing a sale in 2023. Multiple bidders emerged to purchase the company, which has become a major player in Mediterranean aquaculture producing sea bass and sea bream. According to Cooke, Avramar Greece “is a vertically integrated operation, which includes hatcheries, marine farm sites, processing and packaging facilities, and feed production operations.”

Read the full article at Avramar

ASC launches consultation on guidelines for aquaculture around protected areas

March 19, 2026 —  The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) is seeking feedback from stakeholders as it refreshes its guidelines on how aquaculture can be conducted responsibly in and around protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and marine reserves.

“As aquaculture becomes central to feeding a growing global population and protected areas continue to expand, there is a clear opportunity to better align food production with conservation goals,” ASC Environmental Standards Coordinator Dan Auwkit said in a release. “By bringing greater clarity to how aquaculture can operate responsibly within or near protected areas, we can support biodiversity protection while enabling responsible aquaculture for the future.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

MAINE: Great Northern Salmon announces multiple strategic partnerships for Maine-based salmon RAS

March 3, 2026 — Great Northern Salmon announced multiple strategic partnerships with companies as it continues to work on its Millinocket, Maine, U.S.A-based salmon recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility.

Great Northern Salmon (GNS), formerly known as Katahdin Salmon, had already announced a strategic partnership with Eyvi, a provider of aquaculture systems. Now, the company said it has established partnerships with other aquaculture technology providers, engineering and construction companies, and potential buyers for its product once it gets its facility online.’

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

ALASKA: NOAA Fisheries identifies 77 potential aquaculture opportunity areas in Gulf of Alaska

February 24, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries has identified 77 locations in the Gulf of Alaska that could be suitable for aquaculture operations, following up on an order issued by U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020.

“Alaska has more coastline than the rest of the nation combined, and we should be using that resource to its full potential,” Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said in a release. “This atlas helps identify where aquaculture makes sense in our state waters. It will support creating new job opportunities, strengthen food security for Alaskans, and add to Alaska’s already tremendous seafood industry.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

MAINE: Maine’s aquaculture industry highlighted in new campaign for public education

February 20, 2026 — The Maine Farmed Seafood Coalition (MFSC), a Maine-based community program for sustainability, recently launched a campaign called “Maine Farmers Are Why,” intended to educate the public about Maine aquaculture in light of recent sea farming disputes across the state’s coastal regions.

“The campaign puts sea farmers at the front of the conversation and tells the stories of innovators who make a diversified living on the coast of Maine,” MFSC said in a release.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

NOAA claims steady progress was made on US aquaculture in 2025

February 18, 2026 — Following directives from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, NOAA’s Aquaculture Program said it made steady progress in 2025 on exploring new aquaculture projects in the U.S., inching closer to helping the country close its farmed seafood import gap.

“Currently, the U.S. imports USD 15 billion [EUR 12.7 billion] worth of farmed seafood. That’s billion with a ‘b.’ It is by far more than we produce here at home, which is less than USD 2 billion [EUR 1.7 billion], and that has the eyes of a lot of people across the government, not just people who focus on aquaculture,” NOAA Office of Aquaculture Director Danielle Blacklock said on 17 February during the 2026 Aquaculture America conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource