Aquaculture is the production of marine and freshwater organisms under controlled conditions.

In the United States, aquaculture farmers produce some 1,500 different aquatic species for many different purposes using a variety of different systems and methods.

Why Aquaculture?

Seafood demand around the globe and in the United States has been increasing for decades. Harvest from wild capture fisheries has not increased since the 1980s and aquaculture has grown dramatically since then to meet this growing demand.Aquaculture production grew by 609% from 1990-2020. Today, Aquaculture farms supply`s more than 50% of all the seafood consumed around the globe.

A doubling of global seafood production is required to feed the future.

Eight billion humans live on earth today, a 300% increase since the 1950s. An additional 1.7 billion increase in global population is projected by 2050.

Global consumption has increased 5x since the 1960s.

Increasing standards of living and health have lead to a significant increase in animal protein demand around the world. Global annual per capita consumption of aquatic foods grew from 9.9 kg in the 1960s to a record high of 20.5 kg in 2019.

94% of wild fish stocks are maximally fished or overfished.

Wild capture fisheries production has not increased since the 1980s. 60% of fish stocks are harvested at a maximum sustainable rate and 34% are overfished (unsustainable). Aquaculture is the only answer to produce more seafood.

Food security is national security.

Despite being an agriculture powerhouse, the U.S. relies heavily on foreign aquaculture imports. The U.S. has a $17 billion seafood trade deficit. U.S. farmers stand ready to growth American`s aquaculture sector and secure a more sustainable, equitable and secure future of our seafood.

U.S. Aquaculture Commodity Types

Many aquaculture farmers produce fish, shellfish or shrimp to provide wholesome seafood for Americans, but don`t forget that there are many other uses for aquaculture.

Aquaculture`s roots lie in recreation fishing through the production of both bait fish and sport fish. Ornamental farmers produce fish and plants that are enjoyed by thousands of hobby aquarists and help conserve wild species. U.S. aquaculture products are also used in human medicine, energy, the cosemtic and fashion industries, wildlife conservation and more!

While this industry may sound new, aquaculture has a long history in the United States dating back to the 19th century. Proud multi-generational family farms operate today all across the country, while each year new farmers pick-up their nets and waders for the very first time.

National Aquaculture Association (NAA) Memberships

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