NOAA with 10-year aquaculture plan

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk The plan is intended to guide the agency as it works toward establishing marine aquaculture as an integral part of the US seafood industry and as a viable technology for replenishing important commercial and recreational fisheries. The plan provides specific goals for the NOAA Aquaculture Program and an assessment of the challenges the agency will face in its effort to reach its goals. The goals in the 10-year plan are: · A comprehensive regulatory program for environmentally sustainable marine aquaculture; · Development of commercial marine aquaculture and replenishment of wild stocks; · Public understanding of marine aquaculture; and · Increased collaboration and cooperation with international partners The NOAA Aquaculture Program prepared the plan at the request of the agency's Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (MAFAC), which advises the Secretary of Commerce on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of the Department. Background In response to a June 2005 request from the agency’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee, the NOAA Aquaculture Program developed the 10-year plan to frame the agency’s vision and goals for increased development of sustainable marine aquaculture in the US. The July 2006 MAFAC meeting reviewed the draft plan and recommended that NOAA formally adopted it. NOAA requested public comment on an interim draft plan in November 2006. The formal public comment period on the interim draft plan closed on November 30, 2006.