Jesse Trushensk introducing a previous Capitol Hill briefing on aquaculture.

Promoting advantages of aquaculture in US

Jesse Trushenski, chief science officer for the United States’ largest trout producer Riverence, will be among aquaculture experts presenting a Congressional briefing on Marine Aquaculture for Climate Resilience and Climate-Friendly Food Production next week.

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The briefing is being delivered by the American Fisheries Society and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The event, on June 29, will discuss how offshore aquaculture presents an opportunity to reduce the US’s carbon footprint from imported seafood, increase domestic seafood supplies and jobs, relieve pressures on wild stocks from increased demand, and increase the resiliency of food systems to climate change.

Experts

Trushenski, who also oversees R&D activities in North America for Norwegian salmon health company STIM, is one of four expert presenters.

The others are Seth Theuerkauf, science coordinator at the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service aquaculture office; Rebecca Gentry, postdoctoral scholar at Florida State University; and Donald B Kent, president and chief executive of Hubbs Sea World Research Institute.

Congressional briefings can be a good way to communicate information to policymakers. While it’s unusual to get senators and congresspeople themselves to attend briefings, Capitol Hill staffers will regularly be sent in their stead as a way for members to stay informed on issues of the day.