The paper first conceptualizes a program to triple the current value of aquaculture in the United
States by 2025 to achieve production-driven policy objectives set by the Department of Commerce
for the national industry. The program quantifies arbitrary targets for fish and shellfish,
and outlines technical approaches. It discusses its spatial impact on the marine environment,
concluding it is small compared with the number and magnitude of Marine Sanctuaries and
Marine Protected Areas in federal and state waters. It discusses the magnitude of the task, concluding
it is challenging but technologically feasible given an immediate start. Secondly, the
paper identifies and explains many non-technical constraints. These include increasing per capita
consumption of seafood, marketing seafood products, security of tenure and legislation, the
availability of capital for investment, the need for aquafeeds, and changing economic and social
attitudes. Each includes a description of efforts by the public and private sectors to overcome
them, and where appropriate offers some solutions and directions for research.
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