The project, titled “Increasing demand for U.S. farm-raised seafood in the food service sector through industry partnerships,” will be conducted by forming an effective network among Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension agents, state aquaculture coordinators, NOAA Fisheries Regional Aquaculture Coordinators, Regional Aquaculture Centers and the U.S. aquaculture industry partners in the area of foodservice education.

The intent of the project is to develop a communications strategy to effectively and cost-efficiently reach the U.S. foodservice industry with a consistent message about U.S. farm-raised seafood and reduce user conflicts by providing science-based information about the U.S. environmental and food safety regulatory framework. 

“One of the most urgent opportunities in the ‘Blue Economy’ is the need to expand sustainable seafood production in the U.S.—both through the better utilization of our wild-capture fisheries and the expansion of marine aquaculture,” NOAA emphasized in a recent announcement.

This project builds on efforts by Michael Ciaramella, NYSG’s Seafood Safety and Technology Specialist, who placed interns in the aquaculture workforce last summer. The Fish-to-Dish Intern Program. Also funded by NOAA Sea Grant, the program introduced students to an industry with exceptional growth potential and empowered students to pursue careers in Seafood Science and Aquaculture. 

The funding comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Sea Grant College Program as part of an $11 million investment in 22 projects to advance the development of a sustainable marine and coastal U.S. aquaculture industry.