This 5-year Plan will provide a framework for coordination and collaboration across agencies on research, education, and technology transfer programs related to aquaculture and will guide Federal agencies in moving forward as they prioritize their aquaculture-related research and development activities.
The White House announced this week the Administration’s National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research. The Inter-agency Working Group on Aquaculture (IWG-A), a working group under the Life Science Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Office of Science and authorized by the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 (Act), was established to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of federal aquaculture research, technology transfer, and technology assistance programs; further encourage public-private sector collaborations; as well as coordinate efforts among federal agencies engaged in the science, technology, and engineering of aquaculture in the United States. The IWG-A supports Section 2(c) of the Act which defines national policy to encourage the development of aquaculture in the United States.
Alternatives to marine fish meal and fish oil and more efficient utilization of feed ingredients are identified as goals of 5-year National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research.
Outcomes highlighted in the plan are:
~ New protein and oil alternatives for cultured aquatic animals to complement and reduce reliance on wild caught marine fish
~ Feed and ingredient manufacturing systems to accommodate use of non-traditional ingredients
~ Formulated diets that support optimal performance throughout the complete life cycle and across traditional and new species of commercial and restoration interests
~ Determination of the consequences of changes to aquatic animal diet composition on consumer acceptance, human health and nutritional benefits, and environmental impacts
Milestones:
~ Increased availability of complete diets for traditional and new aquaculture species, with reduced reliance on marine fish meal and fish oil, and exploitation of new and improved feedstuff products and co-products made in the U.S.
~ Development of feeds that define and support the nutritional value of fish and shellfish to human health and well-being
~ Increased number and types of ingredients available to feed manufacturers
~ Increased number of species with defined nutritional requirements to optimize the development of new species-specific commercial diets
Download \"National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research\" (PDF) from the link below.
