How Aquaculture Contributes to Sustainability.
Aquaculture plays an increasingly vital role in the sustainability of food that grows both in the oceans and in freshwater. It can be used to increase accessibility and affordability of seafood for consumers and support guidance such as the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which encourages the consumption of seafood for health.
Aquaculture also plays a role in supporting wild seafood. When fish and shellfish are farmed, it helps to sustain fisheries that harvest wild-caught seafood. Aquaculture also can be used to protect wild seafood habitats and revitalize or support the environment, as well as the health of threatened or endangered species of fish or shellfish.
According to the FDA, about 90% of seafood eaten in the United States is imported — and more than half of it is produced through aquaculture practices. The FDA, along with other agencies, holds seafood grown through aquaculture to the same standards as fresh or wild seafood. Aquatic animal health in the United States is monitored through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which works with the World Organization for Animal Health to ensure standards are maintained in the health and safety of aquatic animals and their international trade. As the world’s population grows and demands more seafood, it’s important for farming in water to be sustainable, safe and effective.