Courtesy of NAA:

As we work to advance a Farm Bill that supports the diverse fabric of American agriculture across our country, please join the National Aquaculture Association in supporting the passage of the Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act.

Research is key to sustainably increasing domestic aquaculture production. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s five Regional Aquaculture Centers play a critical role in advancing aquaculture research for American producers throughout the country. Despite the innovative research performed by these centers to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of domestic producers, federal investment in aquaculture research is lower now than it was a decade ago. This is unacceptable given the multitude of new challenges, from invasive species to ocean acidification, that aquaculture producers face.

The Promoting American Competition in Aquaculture Research Act would increase the authorization for aquaculture programming within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, which includes the five Regional Aquaculture Centers, and reduces the administrative burden of administering the centers.

This measure will help our nation’s aquaculture producers sustainably compete with foreign aquaculture imports to increase American food production and our national food security.

Please reach out to your Representative and encourage them to become a cosponsor. Contact Mitch Heidenreich of Congresswoman Jill Tokuda’s Office at Heidenreich@mail.house.gov or the NAA Office at naa@thenaa.net for copy of the bill or to answer your questions.