The five grants resulting from this program were awarded in 2018.
Our Audacious Research Goals
This rigorous research program advances science on farmed production of fish and shellfish to increase domestically produced, nutritious foods to meet growing demand.
These awarded research grants focus on the following priorities:
- Genomics and breeding of less-commonly studied shellfish species, including mussels, clams and scallops, to improve performance.
- Hatchery research including broodstock development and best early life-cycle production practices.
- Market-based analyses for new species and/or production systems.
About the Sustainable American Aquaculture Program
Roughly one billion people worldwide rely on fish and shellfish as their primary source of animal protein. Shellfish are an excellent source of essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. However, the demand for fish continues to outstrip supply.
Fish and shellfish can be farmed, known as aquaculture, or harvested from the wild. Wild harvesting can significantly harm the wild population. Currently, about 90 percent of seafood Americans consume is imported and half of that imported seafood is farmed. The other 45 percent is wild-caught. Imported seafood constitutes one of the largest trade deficits in the US economy and presents an opportunity to increase the production of domestic aquaculture.
Furthermore, scientific research on aquaculture is significantly underfunded compared to other agricultural commodities. We see an opportunity to develop sustainable US production practices and ramp up the availability of various fish and shellfish species. This pioneering research can provide millions of Americans with nutritious foods while improving the local economies of communities nationwide.
