NOAA Fisheries has announced its National Seafood Strategy implementation plan, aimed at bolstering the US seafood economy, encompassing both wild-capture and aquaculture.
This plan follows the National Seafood Strategy released in 2023 and focuses on enhancing industry services, including the Seafood Inspection Program, Fishery Finance Program, and Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program.
“The Implementation Plan is where the rubber meets the road,” said NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator Janet Coit. “It outlines the specific actions to achieve the goals we laid out in the strategy to support our nation’s seafood sector and the benefits it provides.”
The plan emphasises socio-economic initiatives such as seafood market and supply chain analyses, while also highlighting the importance of communication regarding US seafood sustainability.
It outlines ongoing, new and aspirational activities, with a commitment to collaboration among federal agencies, states, tribes, harvesters, farmers and NGOs.
“To truly achieve a more resilient and competitive seafood sector, we all need to work together,” continued Coit.
“The National Seafood Strategy and now our Implementation Plan demonstrates what we at NOAA Fisheries can do to reach those goals.”
Four pilot initiatives have been identified to strengthen partnerships and address cross-cutting issues, including improving resilience in the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery, revitalising the Port of Port Orford in Oregon, enhancing climate resilience for highly migratory species fisheries and supporting Alaska’s seafood sector.
Developed from extensive stakeholder input, including over 150 public comments, the plan will be regularly revisited and updated, says NOAA.
“We will continue to consult with seafood industry members, management councils, states, tribes, and other constituents as we execute this implementation plan,” said Michael Rubino, the agency’s senior advisor for Seafood Strategy.
