Elsevier

Marine Policy

Volume 124, February 2021, 104328
Marine Policy

Short communication
Securing a sustainable future for US seafood in the wake of a global crisis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104328Get rights and content

Abstract

The United States seafood industry is undergoing rapid change, as a result of the current trade war with China, ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, and new governance mandates. The Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth , signed in May 2020, proposes wild-capture fisheries deregulation and prioritization of aquaculture, with an emphasis on offshore development. Recent disruption of wild-caught seafood supply and demand could create space for sustainable aquaculture growth, but expansion could also undermine wild fisheries livelihoods and economics if integrated management between industries is ignored. Here, we review the current state of US seafood and outline five guiding principles around the implementation, and possible modifications, of the Executive Order to facilitate sustainable US fisheries and aquaculture: (1) make precise and strategic fisheries reforms that continue to support sustainable wild fisheries, (2) integrate aquaculture and fisheries using an ecosystem-based approach, (3) improve aquaculture data collection, (4) address social resistance to aquaculture, and (5) reconcile nationalism in a global market. Regardless of the Head of State, implementation of these science-informed principles is critical for balancing social-ecological tradeoffs between wild captured and farmed seafood systems, and for ensuring a more resilient US seafood sector under an anticipated future of increased volatility.

Section snippets

A system in flux

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are rippling across the world, including the virus hotspot of the United States [1]. As society and individuals grapple with the physical, psychological, behavioral, and financial toll of this disease, our food systems are experiencing significant changes in the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed. US seafood has also experienced major disruptions from the trade war started in 2019 with China—the world’s largest seafood consumer [2], [3]. These

Current state of US fisheries and aquaculture

Before the pandemic, annual domestic seafood production in the United States was approximately 5.5 million tonnes. The US is the largest net seafood importer in the world, with a growing “trade deficit” (imports > exports) and an import seafood dependence of 62–65% [3], which was one of the key motivations listed for the Executive Order; although there are disagreements around the economic interpretations (e.g., [12]). The vast majority (> 90%) of domestic production comes from wild capture

Executive Order: a changing tide for the US seafood industry

The May 7, 2020 Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth asserts a broad initiative to increase US seafood production, with a particular focus on offshore aquaculture [4]. Of note, the order designates NOAA as the lead governing agency for offshore marine production, in addition to its current mandate over fisheries. With timelines ranging from months to several years, Federal and State agencies are being asked to reassess how commercial fisheries are

Conclusions

During this period of turmoil, uncertainty, and rapid policy change, it will be a challenge to develop institutions and governance that can guide American seafood towards a sustainable future that supports economic development, healthy oceans, and food security. Another change is coming less than a year after the Seafood Executive Order and CARES Act, with the new Biden administration taking control January 20th, 2021. Although a new administration often overturns many actions of their

Acknowledgements

H.E.F. recognizes support from the University of California, Santa Barbara and partial support from NOAA Sea Grant [NA19OAR4170346], USA. E.R.W. was supported by the COVID-19 Rapid Research Fund from the Gund Institute for Environment at the University of Vermont, USA. T.A.B. was partly funded through Richard C. and Lois M. Worthington Endowed Professor in Fisheries Management, USA. S.E.L and R.R.G. acknowledge funding from NSF grant 1759559 and NOAA Sea Grant [NA19OAR4170346], USA with H.E.F.

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