Criehaven, Maine. Where Penobscot Bay meets the Gulf of Maine. Whale rope regulations, bait shortages and whatever the next hurdle might be, sometimes just being out there trumps it all. When the fishing is good, then the living is easy.. Peter Ralston photo www.ralstongallery.com.
Future of Seafood Industry Includes Both Wild and Farmed Species
by Laurie Schreiber
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Expansion of the United States’ aquaculture industry and full utilization of wild-caught species are viewed as having great potential for expanding markets within the U.S. and abroad.
That was the word from Michael Rubino, senior advisor for seafood strategy with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), who presented seafood market development options to the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC) at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Rubino said he’s held meetings over the past half-year with industry stakeholders to get their input. He presented suggestions for action that could be taken by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in partnership with the industry.
They included:
• Increase yield and value of U.S. wild-caught fisheries
• Increase U.S. aquaculture production
• Conduct economic and market analyses
• Expand public/private research to support seafood production
• Communicate the sustainability of U.S. seafood and examine generic marketing
• Educate the next generation of seafood workforce and entrepreneurs
• Leverage federal funds for port infrastructure, research and development, business planning, marketing, and training
