August 15, 2022 — It’s August in America, which means that the sound you hear is the sizzling of millions of pounds of delicious salmon, striper, and cod on American grills. August also means it’s hot—and due to climate change, it’s getting hotter. A warming world threatens the very fish we rely on for quintessential American traditions like Midwestern fish fries. But there is a solution right here in our own waters. By leading with science and carefully expanding aquaculture farms into federal waters, America can grow its seafood supply, boost coastal economies, and, yes, ensure summers are always full of seafood. That’s why we’ve launched the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA).
We’re proud to be founding members of this diverse, groundbreaking coalition. Imani is a former oyster farmer and the founder of Minorities in Aquaculture, an organization that works to expand economic opportunity for minority women by lowering barriers to entry and educating them on the benefits of local and global aquaculture. Andrew is a chef, restaurateur, a United Nations World Food Programme global ambassador, and an award-winning television producer and host who has seen firsthand in over 150 countries the growing consumer demand for safe, locally sourced seafood.
Now we’re working with our Coalition partners to meet that demand. Together with marine research centers, industry experts, leading environmental organizations, and the most forward-thinking chefs in the country, CSA is charting a path towards a safe and homegrown aquaculture industry that will create sustainable seafood here in America—the right way. That’s why we’re pushing for thoughtful studies and pilot programs so we can close knowledge gaps and learn best practices to build an offshore industry that complements well-managed traditional fisheries—and that’s sustainable from the start. And that’s an economic development plan that also means jobs.