PACIFIC REGION AQUACULTURE
The
United States government has set national
goals for expanding domestic aquaculture
production from the current $900 million
a year to $6 billion a year by 2025, and
for using aquaculture to enhance expert option depleted
wild stocks of fish and shellfish.
Many
Western states are involved in aquaculture,
but the Pacific states of Alaska, Washington,
Oregon, California and Idaho are in a
particularly strong position to play an
important role in this national development
plan.
Marine and freshwater fish and shellfish
farming in the region already produces
more than 60,000 metric tons of seafood
products expertoption each year with a value of $154
million — nearly 17% of all national
seafood production, and about one-third
of estuarine and marine production. |
Salmon net pens
|
Oyster harvest, Bay Center, WA
The region's seafood
aquaculture employs some 3000 people
and generates about 28,000 additional
jobs in related industries.
Stock enhancement programs
also contribute juvenile fish and shellfish
to the region's fisheries; both for
commercial, tribal and recreational
harvest, as well as for rebuilding depleted
natural stocks.
Public and private hatcheries
in the region release nearly 2 billion
fish each year, accounting for between
30 and 75% of Pacific salmon returns
in some areas. Stock enhancement directly
employs as many as 2000 people in the
region, and generates 10,000 additional
jobs in related industries. |
Do you
have an aquaculture related public policy issue
or concern? We want to help! Click here to contact
us. |
