The decision provides immediate relief to U.S. aquatic farmers. Under the initial retaliation schedule, American seafood shipped into Canadian supply chains faced tariffs of 25%. Canadian finance officials acknowledged that the swift reversal was made “to protect against broader economic harms” following significant pushback from commercial processors and trade groups across North America.
What This Means for California Aquaculture
- Intact Cross-Border Supply Chains: Some aquaculture operators depend on fluid, duty-free trade with Canadian buyers, hatcheries, and processors. Maintaining tariff-free status preserves key market channels for farm-raised finfish and shellfish.
- Protection Against Market Disruption: Had Canadian counter-tariffs taken effect, U.S. farm-raised products displaced from Canadian imports could have flooded domestic markets, creating severe downward price pressures.
- Focus on Ongoing Trade Uncertainty: While the immediate threat to seafood trade has passed, broader cross-border trade friction remains dynamic. CAA will continue monitoring federal policy developments to protect the interests of California’s aquaculture producers.
The targeted Canadian import list covers a wide range of live, fresh, and frozen species – notably live fish, tilapia, salmon, tuna, herring, and lobster.
U.S.-CANADA SEAFOOD TRADE OVERVIEW
U.S. Imports from Canada: $4.3 Billion (2025)
U.S. Exports to Canada: $881 Million (2025)
New Canadian Import Duty: 25% on U.S. Seafood
What This Means for California Producers
Canada is the single largest foreign trade partner for U.S. seafood, absorbing over $881 million in American exports annually. While the east coast shellfish and wild salmon sectors face immediate head-on friction, California’s aquaculture producers must anticipate two primary ripples across the supply chain:
- Domestic Supply Re-alignment: As exporting American seafood to Canadian buyers becomes 25% more expensive, domestic producers previously dependent on northern export channels will shift focus inward. California fish farmers will see increased market competition within domestic West Coast wholesale and food-service channels.
- The Domestic Advantage: On the flip side, trade volatility underscores the absolute necessity of a secure, sustainable domestic seafood supply. U.S. consumers and distributors seeking price stability will increasingly turn to local, high-quality farmed fish raised right here in California – where cross-border tariff disputes cannot disrupt delivery schedules or inflate farmgate pricing.
CAA’s Strategic Action Items
- Focus on Local Markets: CAA encourages members to highlight the regional origin, traceability, and sustainability of California-farmed species (sturgeon, bass, trout, tilapia, and catfish) when negotiating distributor contracts.
- Diversify Buyer Channels: If your farm currently supplies processing operations that re-export finished products into Canada, audit your buyer agreements ahead of the September 8 effective date.
- Advocate for Aquaculture: CAA leadership will continue working with federal and state trade representatives to ensure California farm-raised seafood is protected and included in future trade mitigation relief packages.
While high-profile battles focus on utility payouts and insurance subrogation, the outcome of these negotiations carries critical implications for California aquaculture producers:
- Energy Costs & Farm Operational Reliability: One of the main arguments behind capping utility liabilities is to prevent utilities from passing massive payout costs onto ratepayers. For recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), hatcheries, and processing facilities that rely heavily on continuous electricity, skyrocketing energy bills remain a top operational burden.
- Statewide Insurance Market Strain: Insurers and lawmakers warn that stripping insurance companies of their ability to recoup fire payouts from utilities could destabilize the broader commercial insurance market – potentially making property and casualty insurance even harder to secure or afford for agricultural and commercial operations.
- Wildfire Mitigation & Resilience: The package includes proposed investments in home/property hardening and community wildfire mitigation. For land-based operations situated in high-fire-risk rural areas, robust state mitigation infrastructure remains vital to preventing catastrophic disruptions.
For California’s aquaculture producers, this program offers a timely opportunity to expand community supply channels for farm-raised finfish and shellfish. By strengthening cold chain preservation at local food hubs, regional emergency food providers will be far better equipped to accept, store, and distribute highly nutritious, locally farmed seafood.
- Grant Details: Sub-grants of up to $200,000 are awarded to non-profit food assistance entities to purchase, deliver, and install cold chain equipment.
- Application Deadline: October 1
- Member Action: While individual producers do not apply directly, CAA members are encouraged to connect with local food banks and hunger-relief organizations to discuss potential supply partnerships and inform them of this cold storage funding opportunity.
If your aquaculture operations involve packaging seafood, fish products, or food service items in single-use plastic, glass, paper, or metal, these regulations may directly impact your business.
Key Requirements & Statutory Targets
SB 54 requires producers of single-use packaging and plastic food service ware to achieve ambitious source-reduction and recycling benchmarks:
- Jan 1, 2027: 10% reduction in single-use plastic packaging
- Jan 1, 2028: 30% of single-use plastic recycled
- Jan 1, 2030: 20% reduction & 40% recycled
- Jan 1, 2032: 25% reduction, 65% recycled, and 100% of packaging must be recyclable or compostable
Three Compliance Options for Producers
Under the law, businesses identified as “producers” of covered materials must take one of three paths:
- Join the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO): Join Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the state-approved PRO that manages registration, fee collection, reporting, and compliance on behalf of participating producers.
- Apply as an Independent Producer: Submit an independent plan directly to CalRecycle detailing how your business will meet recycling and source-reduction goals individually.
- Claim a Small Producer Exemption: Businesses meeting specific low-volume or small-revenue thresholds may apply for an exemption.
- Revenue Limit: Gross California sales/revenue of less than $1,000,000.
- Volume Limit: Introduced less than 1 metric ton (2,205 lbs) of covered single-use packaging or food service items into California commerce.
Important Considerations for Seafood & Ag Producers
- Food & Agricultural Commodity Exclusions: CalRecycle has provided specific guidance for submitting a Categorically Excluded Materials Notice for Food and Agricultural Commodity Packaging. Aquaculture producers should review these definitions carefully to determine if certain primary packaging qualifies for an exclusion.
- Reporting via PEPRS: Registration, baseline reporting, and compliance documentation are managed through CalRecycle’s online portal, the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility System (PEPRS).
Next Steps for Aquaculture Businesses
- Audit Your Packaging: Determine if your packaging falls under “covered materials” using CalRecycle’s situational screening tool.
- Check Exclusions: Review the guidance for agricultural and food commodity packaging to see if your products qualify.
- Register/Evaluate Compliance Options: Prepare to register in PEPRS or connect with Circular Action Alliance prior to upcoming reporting windows.
For complete documents, toolkits, and registration portals, visit the CalRecycle Producer Guidance Page or contact CalRecycle directly at Packaging@calrecycle.ca.gov.
]]>While NOAA has previously focused on state and federal waters off California and the Gulf of Mexico, they are now looking to determine where to begin the AOA identification process next.
Your input helps guide national marine aquaculture policy and ensures industry perspectives are front and center as NOAA expands its spatial planning efforts.
- Public Comment Period: Open through September 14, 2026.
- How to submit: Comments can be submitted online via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit regulations.gov and type NOAA–NMFS–2026–2179 in the Search box.
The new federal measure imposes import duties ranging from 10% to 12.5% on a vast array of goods. For California’s aquaculture sector, this development carries notable implications across supply chains, feed ingredients, processing equipment, and trade dynamics.
Key Highlights of the Legal Challenge
- State Leadership: Spearheaded by state attorneys general, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James, the lawsuit contends that the administration exceeded constitutional and statutory authority by bypassing required investigation protocols.
- Truncated Timeline: Standard Section 301 investigations traditionally take up to a year to assess market impacts and policy justifications. State officials argue that completing investigations across 60 diverse economies in under three months undermines statutory requirements for administrative review and public comment.
- Procedural Concerns: The coalition asserts that the United States Trade Representative (USTR) failed to adequately consider industry feedback and testimony showing that uniform tariffs create unintended economic burdens on domestic producers without effectively achieving their stated trade goals.
“President Trump is so intent on raising the cost of living for Americans that he is willing to break law after law after law to do so… This is President Trump’s third attempt to illegally impose tariffs that would make life more expensive for American families and small businesses, and this is the third time we’re taking the Administration to court over this misuse of power.” – Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
What This Means for California Aquaculture Producers
While tariffs are often framed around finished seafood imports, domestic growers and producers should monitor several operational touchpoints:
- Aquafeed & Raw Material Inputs: Global supply chains for specialized feed ingredients, micro-nutrients, and proteins can experience indirect price pressure or shifting import costs under broad-based duty regimes.
- Equipment & Infrastructure Costs: Hatchery, farm, and processing machinery or components sourced internationally may be subject to the 10% – 12.5% duties, raising capital expenditure and maintenance costs for operations updating facility technology.
- Market Dynamics: Broad trade actions can alter competitive pricing structures between domestic farm-raised species and imported aquatic products, creating both operational challenges and shifting market opportunities for local growers.
Next Steps & CAA Monitoring
The California Aquaculture Association will continue tracking the lawsuit’s progress through the federal courts and assessing potential regulatory updates or relief mechanisms for domestic agriculture and aquaculture businesses.
Have feedback on supply chain impact? If your operation is experiencing direct supply disruption or increased cost burdens related to recent trade actions, please reach out to the CAA office at caaquaculture@gmail.com.
]]>The public comment period is July 20 – September 4, 2026. All comments are DUE BY 5:00pm on September 4, 2026.
The purpose of this review period is to gather feedback on the draft plan before it is finalized. The input received will help inform revisions to the document and support the development of guidance for potential future artificial reef projects in California state marine waters.
To facilitate comment submission, CDFW has developed an online comment form (linked in draft plan). While use of the form is strongly encouraged for convenience, it is not required. The CARP team welcomes comments in whatever format is most accessible and appropriate for the individual. Comments not reported in the form can be sent to artificialreefs@wildlife.ca.gov.
Contact artificialreefs@wildlife.ca.gov or (831) 682-9249 with any questions.
]]>According to Blue Yonder’s 2026 Consumer Grocery and Protein Trends survey, high prices have led over half of Americans to reduce or eliminate beef purchases. But here is where the opportunity lies for California seafood producers: demand for overall protein is actually climbing.
Key Takeaways for Aquaculture Producers
- Seafood is Winning Market Share: 44% of consumers are shifting toward alternative protein sources like seafood, chicken, and pork to fill the gap left by beef. Another 28% are buying more canned or shelf-stable proteins.
- Younger Buyers are Driving Growth: Protein demand is surging among younger demographics. 54% of Gen Z shoppers report increasing their total protein purchases in the last six months (compared to 41% of Millennials and 35% of Gen X).
- Gen Z Will Pay for Quality: Value goes beyond the lowest price tag. 48% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality proteins to maintain their health and fitness routines.
- Supply Chain Concerns Beyond Price: Rising beef costs aren’t the only driving factor – concerns over livestock pests (such as recent Texas screwworm detections) are adding uncertainty to traditional meat supplies, prompting shoppers to look elsewhere.
While overall grocery inflation and transportation costs remain top-of-mind for 85% of shoppers, seafood’s position as a premium, healthy, and reliable protein choice has never been stronger. As consumers – especially younger generations – actively re-evaluate where their protein comes from, California aquaculture is uniquely positioned to supply sustainable, locally sourced, high-quality alternatives to traditional livestock.
]]>In a recent piece, chefs and industry insiders argue that it’s time for a fresh approach to how farmed seafood is marketed:
- Change the Story: Instead of focusing purely on efficiency or technical sustainability metrics, the industry needs to tell compelling, flavor-first stories that resonate with consumers and top chefs alike.
- Leverage Culinary Ambassadors: To shift public sentiment, aquaculture needs passionate culinary leaders who can elevate farmed seafood, demonstrate its premium quality, and make it a staple on high-end menus.
- Bridge the Gap: Building trust requires transparency, highlighting responsible farming practices while keeping the focus on taste, nutrition, and versatility in the kitchen.
The Takeaway: To unlock its full market potential, the aquaculture sector must look beyond traditional B2B communications and partner with culinary influencers to rewrite the consumer narrative around farmed fish.
]]>The request follows signed court stipulations in which federal agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), admitted to using internal keyword searches (such as “equity,” “health disparities,” and “sexual orientation”) to identify and cancel grants en masse.
Plaintiffs contend the court filings establish three clear constitutional breaches:
- First Amendment Violations: Suppressing specific viewpoints rather than reviewing individual grant performance.
- Geographic Discrimination: Terminating Department of Energy grants in states that voted for the opposition party in 2024 while leaving grants in other states untouched.
- Impoundment of Funds: Refusing to spend research dollars specifically allocated by Congress.
U.S. District Judge Rita F. Lin has previously issued preliminary injunctions ordering the restoration of select grants while the case proceeds. However, the plaintiffs’ legal team is now seeking a permanent summary judgment to protect researchers, graduate assistants, and long-term scientific projects from further disruption.
A formal court hearing on whether to grant the motion is set for October 20.
]]>
A Simple Guide to Helping Share the Story of California Aquaculture
Purpose
The California Aquaculture Association represents a diverse and important industry, but public awareness is still limited. This toolkit is designed to help members easily share industry news, company updates, consumer education, California aquaculture stories, events, research, jobs, and positive industry developments across social media.
The goal is not to turn every member into a content creator. The goal is to make it easy for members to participate in a shared visibility effort.
More voices. More stories. More awareness.
Why This Matters
California aquaculture has a story worth telling.
It supports local food systems, coastal and rural economies, environmental restoration, seafood supply, research, workforce development, innovation, and responsible aquatic food production.
But if the industry does not tell its story, someone else will define it – or worse, the public may never hear it at all.
Social media gives CAA members a simple way to help people understand what aquaculture is, why it matters, and how it contributes to California’s food future.
What Members Can Share
Members can use their social media pages to share:
- Industry news
- California aquaculture updates
- Farm, hatchery, research, or facility photos
- Consumer education about seafood and aquatic foods
- Job openings and workforce stories
- Events, conferences, tours, and legislative updates
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses of daily operations
- Environmental and sustainability stories
- Research partnerships and innovation
- Recipes, product education, and “did you know?” facts
The Four Content Pillars
To keep it simple, members can organize posts around four main themes:
- EducateHelp the public understand aquaculture.
Example: “Did you know aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors in the world? Here in California, producers, researchers, and industry partners are working to grow aquatic foods responsibly, support local economies, and strengthen seafood supply.”
- HumanizeShow the people behind the industry.
Example: “Behind every aquaculture operation are farmers, scientists, hatchery teams, processors, logistics professionals, students, and seafood specialists working hard to bring quality aquatic foods to market.”
- PromoteShare member news, products, jobs, events, and wins.
Example: “We’re proud to be part of California’s growing aquaculture community. From innovation to food production to workforce development, this industry is creating real opportunities across the state.”
- AdvocateHelp decision-makers and the public understand why aquaculture matters.
Example: “California aquaculture plays an important role in food security, economic development, environmental stewardship, and the future of sustainable seafood. Supporting this industry means supporting local food, jobs, and responsible growth.”
Easy Posting Schedule
Members do not need to post every day. A simple rhythm could be:
- Once per week: Share a CAA post, industry article, or company update.
- Once per month: Post something original from your business, farm, facility, team, or region.
- Quarterly: Highlight a larger story, milestone, event, or industry issue.
The key is consistency, not perfection.
Simple Member Post Formula
Use this easy structure:
- Start with the point.
What do you want people to know? - Add one detail.
Why does it matter? - Make it human.
Who is involved? What is happening? - End with a simple takeaway.
Why should people care?
Example: “California aquaculture is more than seafood production. It is science, farming, restoration, jobs, innovation, and food security. We’re proud to be part of an industry helping shape the future of aquatic foods in our state.”
Suggested Hashtags
#CaliforniaAquaculture
#CAGrown
#Aquaculture
#Seafood
#SustainableSeafood
#AquaticFood
#BlueEconomy
#CaliforniaSeafood
#FutureOfFood
#CAAquaculture
#SeafoodIndustry
#EatFish
#EatMoreFish
#USAquaculture
#FeedTheNation
Best Practices
- Keep posts clear and simple.
- Use real photos whenever possible.
- Avoid jargon unless you explain it.
- Celebrate people, places, products, and progress.
- Share CAA posts to amplify the association’s voice.
- Collaborate with / tag CAA, partners, agencies, schools, and companies when appropriate.
- Stay positive, factual, and professional.
- When discussing regulations, policy, or sensitive issues, speak carefully and accurately.
What Not to Do
- Do not argue in comment sections.
- Do not share confidential business information.
- Do not post unsafe work practices or anything that could be misunderstood.
- Do not overcomplicate the message.
- Do not assume the public already understands aquaculture.
Big Picture Message
California aquaculture needs more visibility, more understanding, and more public connection.
This toolkit gives every member a simple way to participate.
Not every post has to be perfect. It just has to help tell the story.
The more the industry shares, the more the public understands.The more the public understands, the stronger the future of
California aquaculture becomes.
]]>First detected in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in late 2024, this highly invasive bivalve – native to China and Southeast Asia – has continued its rapid march across California waterways. Recent detections have confirmed its presence as far north as the Port of West Sacramento and southward into the San Luis Reservoir, raising major alarms for water managers, agricultural producers, and aquaculture operators alike.
Why the Golden Mussel is a Unique Threat to Our Industry
Unlike other notorious biofoulers like quagga and zebra mussels, the golden mussel possesses biological advantages that make it an even greater threat to California’s aquatic systems:
- Broader Environmental Tolerance: Golden mussels can thrive in a wider range of conditions, surviving in both freshwater and brackish environments, and in waters with much lower calcium levels than other invasive mussels.
- Rapid Biofouling and Infrastructure Damage: They form dense, thick colonies on virtually any underwater surface – including screens, intake pipes, pumps, and cages. This clogging restricts vital water flow, fouls motorized equipment, and dramatically increases the labor and overhead costs required for routine maintenance and biofouling removal.
- Altered Water Quality & Nutrient Dynamics: As highly efficient filter feeders, they consume massive amounts of phytoplankton and microscopic organic matter, disrupting local food webs. Furthermore, they release byproducts like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs) that directly threaten the health of finfish, shellfish, and seaweed operations.
Statewide Action and Policy Responses
The escalating crisis has triggered legislative action at both the state and federal levels. In May 2026, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff introduced the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2026. This bill aims to fund rapid response programs, deploy early-warning tracking systems, and establish competitive grant programs to help local entities, researchers, and industry partners develop containment and eradication technologies.
At the state level, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) have deployed a Golden Mussel Response Framework. While $20 million in Proposition 4 funds was allocated this year to fight invasive mussels statewide, there is currently no dedicated, long-term funding pool specifically set aside to mitigate the financial impacts on the farms and infrastructure directly within the Delta’s infested zones.
What You Can Do: Prevention & Biosecurity
Because the microscopic larvae (veligers) of these mussels can easily hitchhike in standing water, and adults can adhere to equipment overland, strict biosecurity is our strongest line of defense:
- Clean, Drain, Dry: Ensure all watercraft, trailers, nets, and monitoring gear are meticulously cleaned, drained, and dried before being moved between water bodies.
- Inspect Intakes and Lines: Regularly monitor raw water intake systems, filtration screens, and plumbing for any signs of early settlement.
- Report Sightings: If you spot suspected golden mussels (fingertip-sized, ranging from dark brown to gold), it is recommended that you report them to the CDFW Invasive Species Program at invasives@wildlife.ca.gov or by calling (866) 440-9530.
Please contact the CAA office with any questions or concerns: caaquaculture@gmail.com
]]>
The Pine Cone Foundation (PCF) has officially opened its 5th Annual Grant Program, and they are distributing four $10,000 grants specifically to California-based farmers, ranchers, fishers, and aquaculture purveyors. Three of these grants are earmarked for brand-new operations, and one is reserved for a previous PCF grant alumnus.
The Phase 1 application window closes this Monday, July 20, 2026. This is the only open call for applications this year.
What You Need to Know
- The Funding: Four $10,000 grants to help fund a specific project to be completed within one year.
- Who is Eligible: Established, small California-based aquaculture operations, farms, ranches, and fisheries.
- Equity Commitment: To help address systemic inequities in agriculture and marine fields, PCF commits a minimum of 50% of its grant funding to BIPOC (Black, Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous) and female-identifying, non-binary, or trans purveyors.
- The Process: It starts with a quick, 15-minute preliminary form. If selected, you’ll be invited to submit a more detailed Phase 2 application in August.
How to Apply
Review the full guidelines on the Pine Cone Foundation Grant Page and submit your Phase 1 application before the portal locks on Monday.
If you have a project in mind – whether it’s upgrading seed-setting systems, investing in kelp or shellfish monitoring gear, or improving farm biosecurity – this is a perfect opportunity to secure clean, non-dilutive funding.
If you are a CAA member and need any assistance with the grant application or administration, please contact us.
]]>For commercial fishermen and aquaculture producers nationwide, this is being framed by federal officials as a massive step toward cutting through bureaucratic red tape.
Why the Change Happened Now
This regulatory rollback leans heavily on the Supreme Court’s 2024 Loper Bright v. Raimondo decision, which ended “Chevron deference” (the old practice where courts deferred to a federal agency’s own interpretation of ambiguous laws).
The Departments of Commerce and Interior are using this legal precedent to argue that past administrations overstepped what Congress originally intended, turning routine land and water use into regulatory traps.
Implications for California Aquaculture
While federal leaders are pointing to this as a win for economic growth and regulatory certainty, we want to urge a bit of caution for our growers here in California.
Two big reasons to keep your guard up:
- The California Factor: Even if federal ESA rules ease up on habitat definitions, California has its own incredibly strict environmental laws. The California Endangered Species Act (CESA) and coastal commission protections still firmly apply to state waters and land use. Easing a federal rule doesn’t automatically mean smoother sailing at the state level.
- Impending Legal Battles: Environmental advocacy groups, including Earthjustice, have already announced plans to sue the administration to block this change. This means the rules are highly likely to tied up in court for a while before anyone sees a permanent change on the water.
For some, that may feel uncertain. For others, it may feel full of opportunity. The truth is, it is probably both.
This is an industry with tremendous potential, but also real challenges. Permitting, public understanding, policy, market development, environmental questions, workforce needs, and the future of aquatic food production in California are all part of the conversation.
And that is exactly why CAA matters.
The California Aquaculture Association exists to support the growers, producers, advocates, researchers, suppliers, educators, and industry partners who believe aquaculture has a place in California’s future. CAA is here to help create a voice, provide support, advocate for the industry, engage in policy conversations, share information, build connections, and keep California aquaculture visible.
Because what would we have without that shared voice?
Another question mark.
Another division.
Another place where aquaculture gets misunderstood, overlooked, or pushed to the side.
Another missed opportunity for the people and businesses working to build something meaningful in this state.
This is not the time to slip away.
This is the time to come together.
California aquaculture was built by people who believed. People who showed up, spoke up, worked through hard seasons, and created the structures that allowed this industry to keep moving. Those voices, that effort, and that belief are now being handed to the next generation of aquaculture leaders.
The question is: how will we carry it forward?
By stepping away from the organizations that have supported the industry?
Or by strengthening them, improving them, and shaping them into the tools we need for the future?
CAA is not a one-person show. It is not one company’s responsibility. It is not one board, one voice, or one meeting. It takes all of us to lift California aquaculture into its next phase.
We also understand that membership has to provide value.
Every grower, company, organization, and individual needs to see a return on their investment. We want CAA to be useful, relevant, responsive, and worth belonging to. That means we need to hear from you.
What do you need from CAA?
What would make membership more valuable?
Where can we better support your business, your work, your advocacy, your visibility, or your connection to the broader aquaculture community?
Your renewal is not just a membership payment. It is a statement that California aquaculture still needs a united voice and that you are willing to be part of it.
This industry sits on the cusp of something important.
The future will require support, coordination, advocacy, education, and belief.
Let’s not meet that future divided.
Let’s meet it together.
Renew your CAA membership, stay engaged, and help us build a stronger tool for California aquaculture.
We are listening.
We are here.
And we believe the next chapter is worth building together.
]]>
California aquaculture is standing on the edge of its next chapter.
For some, that may feel uncertain. For others, it may feel full of opportunity. The truth is, it is probably both.
This is an industry with tremendous potential, but also real challenges. Permitting, public understanding, policy, market development, environmental questions, workforce needs, and the future of aquatic food production in California are all part of the conversation.
And that is exactly why CAA matters.
The California Aquaculture Association exists to support the growers, producers, advocates, researchers, suppliers, educators, and industry partners who believe aquaculture has a place in California’s future. CAA is here to help create a voice, provide support, advocate for the industry, engage in policy conversations, share information, build connections, and keep California aquaculture visible.
Because what would we have without that shared voice?
Another question mark.
Another division.
Another place where aquaculture gets misunderstood, overlooked, or pushed to the side.
Another missed opportunity for the people and businesses working to build something meaningful in this state.
This is not the time to slip away.
This is the time to come together.
California aquaculture was built by people who believed. People who showed up, spoke up, worked through hard seasons, and created the structures that allowed this industry to keep moving. Those voices, that effort, and that belief are now being handed to the next generation of aquaculture leaders.
The question is: how will we carry it forward?
By stepping away from the organizations that have supported the industry?
Or by strengthening them, improving them, and shaping them into the tools we need for the future?
CAA is not a one-person show. It is not one company’s responsibility. It is not one board, one voice, or one meeting. It takes all of us to lift California aquaculture into its next phase.
We also understand that membership has to provide value.
Every grower, company, organization, and individual needs to see a return on their investment. We want CAA to be useful, relevant, responsive, and worth belonging to. That means we need to hear from you.
What do you need from CAA?
What would make membership more valuable?
Where can we better support your business, your work, your advocacy, your visibility, or your connection to the broader aquaculture community?
Your renewal is not just a membership payment. It is a statement that California aquaculture still needs a united voice and that you are willing to be part of it.
This industry sits on the cusp of something important.
The future will require support, coordination, advocacy, education, and belief.
Let’s not meet that future divided.
Let’s meet it together.
Renew your CAA membership, stay engaged, and help us build a stronger tool for California aquaculture.
We are listening.
We are here.
And we believe the next chapter is worth building together.
]]>The final Action Plan is the culmination of a collaborative, multi-year effort that began in 2021 when the OPC established an interagency Aquaculture Leadership Team. This team consists of several key state agencies, including:
- California Coastal Commission
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- California Fish and Game Commission
- California State Lands Commission
- California State Coastal Conservancy
- California State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Boards
- California Department of Public Health
- California Department of Food and Agriculture
Following their initial release of the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Marine Aquaculture, which outlined a vision for an industry informed by the best available science, the Leadership Team developed the Action Plan around three primary goals:
- Goal 1: Improve California’s aquaculture governance framework through increased interagency coordination and transparency.
- Goal 2: Maximize environmental sustainability and continue to protect and enhance public health.
- Goal 3: Facilitate sustainable development of marine aquaculture in state waters.
Each goal outlines specific actions the state intends to take to establish a consistent, comprehensive management and regulatory framework. The plan’s development included interagency coordination, tribal consultation, community listening sessions, and partner workshops. State agencies plan to maintain coordination with tribal, industry, and eNGO partners, alongside offering opportunities for public engagement, throughout the implementation phase.
Implementation has begun with the OPC’s approval of $500,000 in funding to California Sea Grant. These funds will support the development of an Aquaculture Science Plan designed to inform aquaculture governance statewide.
View the Plan Here
]]>Please Renew Today!
As we continue another year of opportunities and challenges in California’s aquaculture sector, the collective voice of our industry has never been more important.
Your continued support is vital to our shared mission: to protect, promote, and grow California’s aquaculture industry. whether you are a producer, supplier, researcher, or student, your participation strengthens our ability to advocate for favorable policies and navigate the complex regulatory environment we face.
Why Your Renewal Matters
Over the past year, CAA has worked tirelessly to represent your interests in Sacramento and beyond. Your membership dues directly fund these critical efforts:
- Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy: We maintain a strong presence with state and national policymakers to ensure the aquaculture perspective is heard on legislative issues, water rights, and environmental policies.
- Industry Updates: Our weekly newsletter keeps you informed on the latest industry news, events, and regulatory changes so you aren’t caught off guard.
- Business Benefits: Members continue to enjoy access to registration discounts for World Aquaculture Society conferences (CA/NV).
View additional member benefits: caaquaculture.org/join
For Producer and Associate Members: Renewing ensures you retain your voting rights in CAA elections, your eligibility for Director nomination, and your ability to submit articles for publication on our platform – giving your business visibility among peers and the public.
How to Renew
Renewing is simple and takes just a few moments. Below are your renewal options:
- Pay via the payment request sent to you by email. (Credit card, ACH, or check accepted. Please contact us if you did not receive a payment request.)
- Submit your membership renewal by completing the form online: caaquaculture.org/join
Thank you for your dedication to sustainable aquaculture in California. We look forward to standing with you for another year of growth and resilience.
Sincerely,
Tony Vaught, President
]]>We grow food, ideas, technology, talent, brands, movements, and markets. We are known around the world for agriculture, innovation, coastal resources, environmental leadership, culinary influence, and the ability to turn possibility into something people recognize, buy, taste, and believe in.
So why not aquaculture?
That is the question worth asking.
Across the United States, aquaculture looks different depending on where you stand. In Mississippi, it looks like catfish ponds and a strong agricultural identity. In Idaho, it looks like trout production built around the cold, clean spring water of the Magic Valley. In Washington, it looks like shellfish culture deeply connected to coastal waters and working waterfronts. In Maine, it looks like oysters, mussels, seaweed, salmon, small farms, training programs, and coastal communities building a modern blue economy.
And in California?
California aquaculture looks like opportunity.
It is oysters, abalone, mussels, clams, trout, sturgeon, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, seaweed, hatcheries, restoration, research, technology, and coastal innovation. It is freshwater and marine. It is food and conservation. It is farms and labs. It is entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, producers, regulators, chefs, and communities all trying to understand where this industry can go next.
California is not starting from nothing.
But California is still defining its aquaculture identity.
That may be one of the biggest opportunities in front of us.
When we look at other states, the lesson is not that California should become Mississippi, Idaho, Washington, Maine, Louisiana, Florida, or Alabama. California has its own coastline, its own permitting environment, its own markets, its own environmental priorities, and its own public expectations.
But other states can teach us something.
Mississippi teaches us the power of identity. Catfish is not just a product there. It is part of the agricultural story. People understand it. They know where it comes from. They recognize the farms, the food, and the economic value. That kind of clarity matters. California aquaculture needs that same kind of public recognition, even if our species mix is more diverse.
Idaho teaches us the power of clustering. The trout industry in Idaho grew around natural resources, infrastructure, processing, workforce, feed knowledge, water management, and regional expertise. When farms, suppliers, processors, researchers, and trained workers are connected, an industry becomes easier to support and harder to ignore. California has the ingredients to build regional aquaculture clusters, especially around ports, harbors, research centers, hatcheries, inland systems, and coastal communities.
Washington teaches us the power of shellfish tradition and working waterfront visibility. Shellfish farming has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, and that history helps create familiarity. People may not understand every detail of how oysters, clams, mussels, or geoducks are farmed, but they know shellfish aquaculture belongs in the coastal food conversation. California has its own shellfish story, but we have more work to do to make it visible and understood.
Maine teaches us the power of community scale. Maine’s aquaculture growth has included small farms, younger workers, seaweed, shellfish, finfish, training programs, and a strong connection to coastal identity. The lesson from Maine is not just production. It is storytelling, local pride, workforce development, and the idea that aquaculture can be woven into the life of coastal and rural communities.
And then there is California.
California has something no other state has in quite the same way.
We have one of the strongest food cultures in the country. We have world-class universities. We have coastal and inland agriculture. We have chefs, farmers markets, seafood markets, ports, public aquariums, environmental organizations, technology companies, and consumers who already care about where food comes from. We have people who understand branding, traceability, sustainability, wellness, climate conversations, local food, and premium products.
Those are enormous advantages.
But advantages do not become progress by themselves.
California aquaculture faces real challenges. Permitting can be slow and expensive. Coastal space is complicated. Public understanding is limited. New farms can face uncertainty before they ever get into the water. Producers need clearer pathways, better coordination, stronger workforce pipelines, more market development, and more public education.
Those challenges are not reasons to shrink the conversation.
They are reasons to organize it.
If California wants to grow aquaculture responsibly, we need to help people understand what this industry actually is. We need to make aquaculture less mysterious and more visible. We need to show the public that aquaculture is agriculture. We need to explain the difference between species, systems, and production methods. We need to connect chefs and buyers to California-grown aquatic products. We need to help students see careers in the field. We need to support the producers already doing the work while helping create better pathways for the next generation.
We also need to study what is working elsewhere.
Could California use more harbor-led aquaculture models, where ports and harbors help create clearer pathways for new farms?
Could we develop stronger regional clusters around shellfish, seaweed, inland finfish, restoration, and hatchery work?
Could we build workforce programs that connect community colleges, universities, farms, hatcheries, and seafood businesses?
Could we make California-grown aquatic products more recognizable to consumers?
Could we help chefs, grocers, and foodservice buyers understand the value of local aquaculture?
Could we create a stronger bridge between policy, science, production, and markets?
The answer is yes.
But the work has to be intentional.
California aquaculture will not grow simply because the need is there. It will grow because producers, regulators, researchers, educators, buyers, and industry organizations decide to make the path clearer and the story stronger.
Other states show us what is possible when aquaculture has identity, infrastructure, coordination, and community support.
California can take those lessons and build something that fits here.
Something responsible. Something innovative. Something diverse. Something worthy of California’s food and environmental leadership.
This is not about trying to be like anyone else.
It is about recognizing that aquaculture is already part of America’s food future, and California has a real opportunity to help shape what that future looks like.
From oysters to abalone. From trout to sturgeon. From seaweed to shellfish. From hatcheries to harbors. From inland systems to coastal farms.
California aquaculture has a story worth telling and a future worth building.
Now the opportunity is to make sure more people can see it.
]]>
California has always known how to grow.
We grow food, ideas, technology, talent, brands, movements, and markets. We are known around the world for agriculture, innovation, coastal resources, environmental leadership, culinary influence, and the ability to turn possibility into something people recognize, buy, taste, and believe in.
So why not aquaculture?
That is the question worth asking.
Across the United States, aquaculture looks different depending on where you stand. In Mississippi, it looks like catfish ponds and a strong agricultural identity. In Idaho, it looks like trout production built around the cold, clean spring water of the Magic Valley. In Washington, it looks like shellfish culture deeply connected to coastal waters and working waterfronts. In Maine, it looks like oysters, mussels, seaweed, salmon, small farms, training programs, and coastal communities building a modern blue economy.
And in California?
California aquaculture looks like opportunity.
It is oysters, abalone, mussels, clams, trout, sturgeon, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, seaweed, hatcheries, restoration, research, technology, and coastal innovation. It is freshwater and marine. It is food and conservation. It is farms and labs. It is entrepreneurs, scientists, educators, producers, regulators, chefs, and communities all trying to understand where this industry can go next.
California is not starting from nothing.
But California is still defining its aquaculture identity.
That may be one of the biggest opportunities in front of us.
When we look at other states, the lesson is not that California should become Mississippi, Idaho, Washington, Maine, Louisiana, Florida, or Alabama. California has its own coastline, its own permitting environment, its own markets, its own environmental priorities, and its own public expectations.
But other states can teach us something.
Mississippi teaches us the power of identity. Catfish is not just a product there. It is part of the agricultural story. People understand it. They know where it comes from. They recognize the farms, the food, and the economic value. That kind of clarity matters. California aquaculture needs that same kind of public recognition, even if our species mix is more diverse.
Idaho teaches us the power of clustering. The trout industry in Idaho grew around natural resources, infrastructure, processing, workforce, feed knowledge, water management, and regional expertise. When farms, suppliers, processors, researchers, and trained workers are connected, an industry becomes easier to support and harder to ignore. California has the ingredients to build regional aquaculture clusters, especially around ports, harbors, research centers, hatcheries, inland systems, and coastal communities.
Washington teaches us the power of shellfish tradition and working waterfront visibility. Shellfish farming has a long history in the Pacific Northwest, and that history helps create familiarity. People may not understand every detail of how oysters, clams, mussels, or geoducks are farmed, but they know shellfish aquaculture belongs in the coastal food conversation. California has its own shellfish story, but we have more work to do to make it visible and understood.
Maine teaches us the power of community scale. Maine’s aquaculture growth has included small farms, younger workers, seaweed, shellfish, finfish, training programs, and a strong connection to coastal identity. The lesson from Maine is not just production. It is storytelling, local pride, workforce development, and the idea that aquaculture can be woven into the life of coastal and rural communities.
And then there is California.
California has something no other state has in quite the same way.
We have one of the strongest food cultures in the country. We have world-class universities. We have coastal and inland agriculture. We have chefs, farmers markets, seafood markets, ports, public aquariums, environmental organizations, technology companies, and consumers who already care about where food comes from. We have people who understand branding, traceability, sustainability, wellness, climate conversations, local food, and premium products.
Those are enormous advantages.
But advantages do not become progress by themselves.
California aquaculture faces real challenges. Permitting can be slow and expensive. Coastal space is complicated. Public understanding is limited. New farms can face uncertainty before they ever get into the water. Producers need clearer pathways, better coordination, stronger workforce pipelines, more market development, and more public education.
Those challenges are not reasons to shrink the conversation.
They are reasons to organize it.
If California wants to grow aquaculture responsibly, we need to help people understand what this industry actually is. We need to make aquaculture less mysterious and more visible. We need to show the public that aquaculture is agriculture. We need to explain the difference between species, systems, and production methods. We need to connect chefs and buyers to California-grown aquatic products. We need to help students see careers in the field. We need to support the producers already doing the work while helping create better pathways for the next generation.
We also need to study what is working elsewhere.
Could California use more harbor-led aquaculture models, where ports and harbors help create clearer pathways for new farms?
Could we develop stronger regional clusters around shellfish, seaweed, inland finfish, restoration, and hatchery work?
Could we build workforce programs that connect community colleges, universities, farms, hatcheries, and seafood businesses?
Could we make California-grown aquatic products more recognizable to consumers?
Could we help chefs, grocers, and foodservice buyers understand the value of local aquaculture?
Could we create a stronger bridge between policy, science, production, and markets?
The answer is yes.
But the work has to be intentional.
California aquaculture will not grow simply because the need is there. It will grow because producers, regulators, researchers, educators, buyers, and industry organizations decide to make the path clearer and the story stronger.
Other states show us what is possible when aquaculture has identity, infrastructure, coordination, and community support.
California can take those lessons and build something that fits here.
Something responsible. Something innovative. Something diverse. Something worthy of California’s food and environmental leadership.
This is not about trying to be like anyone else.
It is about recognizing that aquaculture is already part of America’s food future, and California has a real opportunity to help shape what that future looks like.
From oysters to abalone. From trout to sturgeon. From seaweed to shellfish. From hatcheries to harbors. From inland systems to coastal farms.
California aquaculture has a story worth telling and a future worth building.
Now the opportunity is to make sure more people can see it.
]]>Whether you are an NAA member or not, your perspective is important.
The survey takes approximately 5–7 minutes to complete and will help inform future industry priorities, programs, communications, and advocacy efforts.
Participants may also enter a drawing for a Sunset Catamaran Cruise for Two during Aquaculture America 2027 in Honolulu (or an equivalent prize for those not attending AA27).
]]>The Jetsons made everything look automatic, shiny, slightly ridiculous, and somehow believable.
And here we are, many years later, still not commuting in flying cars, but we are carrying tiny computers in our pockets, talking to artificial intelligence, using drones to monitor land and water, and asking machines to help us make better decisions faster.
So maybe the future did show up.
It just showed up wearing boots, gloves, waders, lab coats, hairnets, and maybe a little fish slime.
For California aquaculture, that future is not about replacing people. It is about giving people better tools.
Imagine a shellfish farmer getting an early alert before water conditions shift. Imagine a trout or sturgeon producer seeing real-time changes in oxygen, temperature, feeding behavior, or water quality before a problem becomes a loss. Imagine hatchery teams using data to better understand survival, growth, and animal health. Imagine seaweed growers using mapping, sensors, and forecasting tools to better plan production. Imagine seafood buyers being able to trace a California-grown product from water to market with a story the consumer can actually understand.
That is not cartoon science fiction.
That is the direction aquaculture is already moving.
The “Jetsons” version of aquaculture is not a robot taking over the farm. It is a smarter farm, a more visible farm, and a better-connected farm. It is people using technology to protect animals, reduce waste, improve water use, strengthen food safety, support production decisions, and tell the story of California-grown aquatic products more clearly.
Because aquaculture has always been both biological and technical.
It is water, oxygen, feed, health, temperature, genetics, handling, filtration, nutrients, tides, weather, infrastructure, markets, and people. A lot has to go right. And when something starts to go wrong, timing matters.
That is where AI and new technology may become incredibly useful.
AI is very good at noticing patterns. It can look at large amounts of information and help identify what is changing, what is trending, and what may need attention. In aquaculture, that could mean earlier warnings, better forecasting, more precise feeding, stronger animal health monitoring, improved logistics, and smarter business planning.
For producers, that matters. For workers, that matters. For the future of the industry, that really matters.
California aquaculture includes oysters, mussels, clams, abalone, trout, sturgeon, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, seaweed, hatcheries, restoration work, and more. Each species and system has its own needs, but they all share one thing: they depend on people who understand living systems.
Technology will not change that.
It may actually make that human knowledge more valuable.
The future aquaculture workforce may need to understand water quality and data dashboards. Animal behavior and automated feeding. Food safety and traceability. Hatchery work and sensor systems. Farm operations and public communication. Biology and business. Science and storytelling.
That opens doors.
It creates new kinds of jobs and new kinds of career paths. It gives young people a way to see aquaculture as modern, skilled, science-based, technology-enabled, and meaningful. It helps the public understand that aquatic food production is not something hidden or mysterious. It is part of California’s food future.
And honestly, that is exciting.
Because the industry does not need technology for the sake of technology. It needs useful tools that help producers do what they already care about: grow healthy animals and plants, protect water, manage risk, produce food, support communities, and build businesses that last.
Maybe the future of aquaculture does not look like a cartoon city in the clouds. Maybe it looks like a shellfish farm with better forecasting.
A hatchery with smarter monitoring.
A recirculating system that can catch water quality changes earlier.
A seaweed farm mapped with precision.
A seafood box that tells the story of exactly where it came from.
A student who sees aquaculture and realizes, “There is a future for me here.”
That is the real opportunity.
Not a future without people.
A future where people have better tools, better data, better visibility, and better ways to grow.
So yes, maybe aquaculture could use a little Jetsons energy.
A little imagination.
A little innovation.
A little “what if?”
Because California aquaculture is not standing still.
It is growing, adapting, learning, and preparing for a future that may be closer than we think.
And if we get it right, the future will not just be more automated.
It will be more connected, more transparent, more resilient, and more full of opportunity.
That is a future worth building.
And maybe, just maybe, George Jetson would have loved a California-grown oyster.
]]>
There was a time when “the future” looked like flying cars, robot maids, meals in capsules, and houses in the sky.
The Jetsons made everything look automatic, shiny, slightly ridiculous, and somehow believable.
And here we are, many years later, still not commuting in flying cars, but we are carrying tiny computers in our pockets, talking to artificial intelligence, using drones to monitor land and water, and asking machines to help us make better decisions faster.
So maybe the future did show up.
It just showed up wearing boots, gloves, waders, lab coats, hairnets, and maybe a little fish slime.
For California aquaculture, that future is not about replacing people. It is about giving people better tools.
Imagine a shellfish farmer getting an early alert before water conditions shift. Imagine a trout or sturgeon producer seeing real-time changes in oxygen, temperature, feeding behavior, or water quality before a problem becomes a loss. Imagine hatchery teams using data to better understand survival, growth, and animal health. Imagine seaweed growers using mapping, sensors, and forecasting tools to better plan production. Imagine seafood buyers being able to trace a California-grown product from water to market with a story the consumer can actually understand.
That is not cartoon science fiction.
That is the direction aquaculture is already moving.
The “Jetsons” version of aquaculture is not a robot taking over the farm. It is a smarter farm, a more visible farm, and a better-connected farm. It is people using technology to protect animals, reduce waste, improve water use, strengthen food safety, support production decisions, and tell the story of California-grown aquatic products more clearly.
Because aquaculture has always been both biological and technical.
It is water, oxygen, feed, health, temperature, genetics, handling, filtration, nutrients, tides, weather, infrastructure, markets, and people. A lot has to go right. And when something starts to go wrong, timing matters.
That is where AI and new technology may become incredibly useful.
AI is very good at noticing patterns. It can look at large amounts of information and help identify what is changing, what is trending, and what may need attention. In aquaculture, that could mean earlier warnings, better forecasting, more precise feeding, stronger animal health monitoring, improved logistics, and smarter business planning.
For producers, that matters. For workers, that matters. For the future of the industry, that really matters.
California aquaculture includes oysters, mussels, clams, abalone, trout, sturgeon, catfish, tilapia, striped bass, seaweed, hatcheries, restoration work, and more. Each species and system has its own needs, but they all share one thing: they depend on people who understand living systems.
Technology will not change that.
It may actually make that human knowledge more valuable.
The future aquaculture workforce may need to understand water quality and data dashboards. Animal behavior and automated feeding. Food safety and traceability. Hatchery work and sensor systems. Farm operations and public communication. Biology and business. Science and storytelling.
That opens doors.
It creates new kinds of jobs and new kinds of career paths. It gives young people a way to see aquaculture as modern, skilled, science-based, technology-enabled, and meaningful. It helps the public understand that aquatic food production is not something hidden or mysterious. It is part of California’s food future.
And honestly, that is exciting.
Because the industry does not need technology for the sake of technology. It needs useful tools that help producers do what they already care about: grow healthy animals and plants, protect water, manage risk, produce food, support communities, and build businesses that last.
Maybe the future of aquaculture does not look like a cartoon city in the clouds. Maybe it looks like a shellfish farm with better forecasting.
A hatchery with smarter monitoring.
A recirculating system that can catch water quality changes earlier.
A seaweed farm mapped with precision.
A seafood box that tells the story of exactly where it came from.
A student who sees aquaculture and realizes, “There is a future for me here.”
That is the real opportunity.
Not a future without people.
A future where people have better tools, better data, better visibility, and better ways to grow.
So yes, maybe aquaculture could use a little Jetsons energy.
A little imagination.
A little innovation.
A little “what if?”
Because California aquaculture is not standing still.
It is growing, adapting, learning, and preparing for a future that may be closer than we think.
And if we get it right, the future will not just be more automated.
It will be more connected, more transparent, more resilient, and more full of opportunity.
That is a future worth building.
And maybe, just maybe, George Jetson would have loved a California-grown oyster.
]]>Permitting can be complex. Public understanding is limited. Operating costs are high. Coastal access is competitive. Water quality matters. Disease management matters. Market development matters. Workforce development matters. Regulations matter. Infrastructure matters. And for many producers, the path from idea to operation can feel long, expensive, and uncertain.
We should be honest about that.
But we should also be clear about something else:
Silence cannot be the strategy.
If aquaculture remains too quiet, too fragmented, or too invisible, the public will not understand its value. Students will not see the careers. Policymakers will not fully recognize the opportunity. Buyers will not know the story behind the product. And communities may only hear about aquaculture when there is controversy, confusion, or opposition.
That is not how strong industries grow.
Strong industries organize.
They communicate.
They educate.
They show up.
They share data.
They tell better stories.
They build relationships before they need them.
They invite people to understand the work.
California aquaculture does not need to pretend the challenges are easy. They are not.
But challenge is not the same as impossibility.
The industry already includes people who understand biology, water systems, husbandry, food safety, environmental stewardship, business, research, restoration, and production. That knowledge is valuable. The question is whether enough people outside the industry can see it.
This is where CAA members matter.
The more members participate, share, mentor, host, contribute, and engage, the stronger the industry voice becomes.
The future of California aquaculture will not be built by one farm, one agency, one university, one association, or one company alone. It will be built through connection.
Producers need researchers.
Researchers need producers.
Students need pathways.
Communities need context.
Policymakers need visibility.
Consumers need trust.
And the industry needs a stronger shared voice.
California aquaculture has challenges.
But it also has people, products, places, science, history, and opportunity worth fighting for.
The next step is not to stay hidden.
The next step is to get organized, get visible, and help California understand what is already growing in its waters.
]]>
California aquaculture has enormous potential, but it also faces real challenges.
Permitting can be complex. Public understanding is limited. Operating costs are high. Coastal access is competitive. Water quality matters. Disease management matters. Market development matters. Workforce development matters. Regulations matter. Infrastructure matters. And for many producers, the path from idea to operation can feel long, expensive, and uncertain.
We should be honest about that.
But we should also be clear about something else:
Silence cannot be the strategy.
If aquaculture remains too quiet, too fragmented, or too invisible, the public will not understand its value. Students will not see the careers. Policymakers will not fully recognize the opportunity. Buyers will not know the story behind the product. And communities may only hear about aquaculture when there is controversy, confusion, or opposition.
That is not how strong industries grow.
Strong industries organize.
They communicate.
They educate.
They show up.
They share data.
They tell better stories.
They build relationships before they need them.
They invite people to understand the work.
California aquaculture does not need to pretend the challenges are easy. They are not.
But challenge is not the same as impossibility.
The industry already includes people who understand biology, water systems, husbandry, food safety, environmental stewardship, business, research, restoration, and production. That knowledge is valuable. The question is whether enough people outside the industry can see it.
This is where CAA members matter.
The more members participate, share, mentor, host, contribute, and engage, the stronger the industry voice becomes.
The future of California aquaculture will not be built by one farm, one agency, one university, one association, or one company alone. It will be built through connection.
Producers need researchers.
Researchers need producers.
Students need pathways.
Communities need context.
Policymakers need visibility.
Consumers need trust.
And the industry needs a stronger shared voice.
California aquaculture has challenges.
But it also has people, products, places, science, history, and opportunity worth fighting for.
The next step is not to stay hidden.
The next step is to get organized, get visible, and help California understand what is already growing in its waters.
]]>I am a Vietnamese-American woman, and I study aquaculture. Vietnam is one of the leading global producers of aquaculture, farming basa catfish and shrimp on a large scale to feed millions worldwide. Aquaculture is well-established in Vietnamese culture and economy, unlike in the U.S.
However, I don’t see people with similar backgrounds to mine in the field I am preparing to enter. Most of my professors have been white men. The spaces I’ve worked in have been predominantly white. It has been a bit isolating as one of the few AAPI people interested in aquaculture. That contradiction between my heritage and where I am currently is something that I’ve been thinking about.
Fisheries and aquaculture have historically been male-dominated, particularly in governance and leadership roles. Despite women making up at least 50% of the workforce in these seafood production industries, women tend to be in lower-paid roles rather than research, management, or farm ownership. Women of color face compounding factors, such as gender bias and racial exclusion from these spaces that have never been designed with them in mind. However, that’s not to say that there hasn’t been change.
What instills hope and inspiration in me are the women I’ve had the privilege of learning from directly.
Dr. Halley Froehlich was my principal investigator (PI) throughout my undergraduate research experience at UCSB, where she was a faculty member in both the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and Environmental Studies departments. Her research focuses on the intersection of aquaculture, food systems, and sustainability, which motivated me to pursue aquaculture early on. She has since been recruited by the University of Helsinki to help establish and grow aquaculture in Finland, which speaks to the significance of her work. Having her be my PI has helped me see that women belong at the highest levels of aquaculture science.
Devin Spencer was the general manager of The Cultured Abalone Farm (TCAF) in Santa Barbara, a land-based operation prioritizing the sustainable hand-raising of red abalone. My internship at TCAF was my first real introduction to aquaculture, from throwing kelp to cleaning tanks to learning the significance of raising marine organisms for consumption and conservation purposes. Despite how tiring and dirty the work was, I absolutely loved it. Working alongside other women at the farm helped me see that I belonged in this field. Devin’s leadership showed me that women don’t just participate in aquaculture; they run the show.
Imani Black is the founder of Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of marginalized groups in the aquaculture industry through mentorship, education, and community outreach. Her work addresses something that the aquaculture industry has overlooked: diversity. Diversity isn’t just a mission statement that the industry needs to meet; diversity is necessary for improving the industry that feeds the world. We need ocean stewards who represent the different communities they are feeding. I am proud to share that I will be interning with MIA, where I will be participating in the University of Alaska Southeast’s aquaculture semester program this fall. My aquaculture journey is only just beginning, and I am excited to see where it takes me.
Representation matters in aquaculture. People need to see themselves in a field to believe they belong in it. I spent four years studying aquatic biology at a school within walking distance of the ocean, surrounded by people who didn’t look like me or come from a similar background to mine. I still found my way through the women who showed it was possible.
There are more of us with different backgrounds coming into this field, and we have lots of stories to share as we work to build a better aquaculture industry.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>With approximately $13.5 million in initial funding, CIFARM will support research and partnerships that will make it safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce seafood domestically. Led by UNH, CIFARM brings together a broad national network of partners, including New Hampshire Sea Grant, the University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, California Sea Grant, University of Hawaii, and Hawaii Sea Grant.
As part of CIFARM, HSWRI will contribute expertise in marine aquaculture technology development, offshore and community-scale aquaculture systems, seafood production, workforce development, and environmental monitoring. The Institute’s research programs span marine finfish, shellfish, seaweed, and restorative aquaculture, providing practical solutions that support both environmental stewardship and economic growth. HSWRI will also help ensure that research and technology developed through CIFARM addresses the unique opportunities and challenges facing aquaculture on the U.S. West Coast.
“Aquaculture will play an increasingly important role in meeting America’s growing demand for healthy, sustainable seafood,” said Mark Drawbridge, Director of the Sustainable Seafood Program at HSWRI. “For more than four decades, HSWRI has developed innovative aquaculture technologies and science-based solutions that improve seafood production while protecting marine resources. Through CIFARM, we look forward to working with partners across the country to advance sustainable aquaculture, strengthen coastal economies, and increase domestic seafood production.”
After a highly competitive application process, the new five-year Cooperative Institute will harness partnerships with researchers and focus on solving real-world challenges that affect both seafood producers and consumers. Researchers will develop new cutting-edge technologies to improve fish farming and other forms of aquaculture, use artificial intelligence to optimize operations, advance aquaculture through demonstration farms, and study ocean conditions to better predict and protect seafood harvests. They will also test offshore farming systems and analyze seafood markets to help bring products to consumers more efficiently.
NOAA leaders emphasized that expanding U.S. aquaculture is key to building a more resilient food system. “The United States is finally recognizing aquaculture as a vital complement to our world-class fisheries,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “We look forward to collaborating with these exemplary partners to continue to unlock the potential of this industry in the United States.”
At its core, this initiative is about putting more high-quality, sustainably produced seafood on American plates while reducing the nation’s heavy reliance on imports. Today, Americans consume more than $24 billion worth of seafood each year, about half of which is farmed overseas. The new Cooperative Institute is designed to help change that. For consumers, this means more reliable access to fresh, healthy seafood and greater confidence in how it is produced. CIFARM will deliver benefits to coastal communities and consumers, and offer new opportunities like jobs and economic growth, in this rapidly evolving industry.
CIFARM builds upon HSWRI’s long history of advancing sustainable marine aquaculture through research, technology development, education, and industry partnerships. From improving fish health and production efficiency to evaluating offshore farming systems and supporting workforce development, HSWRI’s work helps create practical solutions that strengthen domestic seafood production while protecting ocean resources. Through CIFARM, the Institute will help accelerate innovation and support the responsible growth of aquaculture across the United States.
More information is available at NOAA.
###
About Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Founded in 1963, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is a nonprofit marine conservation and research organization dedicated to advancing ocean health and sustainability through science, education, and innovation. The Institute conducts applied research in marine conservation, fisheries enhancement, and sustainable seafood production, developing practical solutions that benefit marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide. HSWRI has been a national leader in marine fish culture, stock enhancement, offshore aquaculture research, and sustainable seafood innovation for more than four decades.
]]>Sustained Funding for the USDA Office of Seafood
A primary victory for the seafood sector in this legislation is the allocation of $500,000 for the USDA Office of Seafood. This office was officially launched in April following its initial establishment under the FY26 budget cycle, an achievement heavily championed by a broad coalition of seafood and aquaculture organizations.
Historically, the domestic seafood sector has operated on an uneven playing field compared to traditional terrestrial agriculture, lacking dedicated advocacy and structural access to the massive suite of financial services, loans, and promotional programs administered by the USDA. The creation and continued funding of the Office of Seafood represents a fundamental shift toward federal parity. At its launch, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins noted the historical omission, emphasizing that for the first time, the USDA will house a dedicated team to elevate and support the nation’s “farmers of the sea.”
Surplus Purchasing and Support for Domestic Production
In addition to keeping the Office of Seafood funded, the House committee report directs the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to leverage its Section 32 authority to execute more surplus purchases of domestic seafood products. Section 32 allows the federal government to buy domestic surplus commodities and redirect them into public initiatives like school lunch programs and food banks.
The committee explicitly recognized the severe economic headwinds squeezing domestic producers – including unfair trade practices from abroad, volatile input costs, and natural disasters. The report specifically encourages the USDA to prioritize purchases that bolster American aquaculture producers, fishermen, and regional processors, ensuring that high-quality, domestic marine proteins are integrated into federal nutrition assistance networks.
Stricter Defenses Against Foreign Imports and Misleading Labels
Addressing long-standing supply chain and market integrity challenges, the House bill includes several defensive provisions for domestic producers:
- Ban on Chinese Seafood: The legislation maintains strict stipulations from the prior year, prohibiting federal funds from being used to purchase Chinese seafood for federal school lunch or breakfast programs.
- Increased Import Inspection Funding: The bill includes a $10 million boost for testing seafood imports, alongside a directive that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spend no less than $15 million specifically on the oversight of foreign seafood manufacturing facilities and examinations of imported seafood products.
- Addressing Plant-Based Alternatives: The Appropriations Committee reinforced its stance against the labeling of plant-based products using seafood terms, identifying the practice as “misleading, deceptive, and confusing to consumers” and demanding clearer standards to protect the integrity of genuine seafood products.
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
While the passage of H.R. 8646 is a significant step forward, the budget must still clear the next phase of the legislative pipeline. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate, which has yet to release its version of the FY27 agriculture appropriations package.
]]>The regulatory framework for aquaculture in the U.S. has been described as one of the most stringent in the world. There are at least 29 congressional acts governing aquaculture farm operations (siting, management, and operation). The bulletin summarizes the limited literature on federal or state regulations and one notable paper that quantified the frequency of the words “shall,” “must,” “may not,” “prohibited,” or “required” in the United States Code of Federal Regulations governing farmed seafood. Those authors estimated there were 170,000 restrictions, with almost half directed towards production-related activities. U.S. aquaculture producers for many years have pointed to overly redundant and complex regulations that have led to extensive permitting delays, high costs of compliance, closure of aquaculture businesses, and reduced competitiveness in the large U.S. seafood market.
The nine regulatory cost analyses in this bulletin found the national compliance burden in 2023 was $196 million (9% to 30% of total annual costs amongst the nine aquaculture sectors). Total annual revenue lost because of regulations was $807 million, indicating that U.S. aquaculture and its economic benefits could have been 36% greater. Overall, 43% of regulations identified on U.S. aquaculture farms were federal, 47% were state, 2% were state-enforced federal mandates, 6% were local (municipality, county, district), and <1% were tribal regulations. The regulatory cost burden has become one of the top five costs on U.S. aquaculture farms with a disproportionately greater negative effect on smaller-scale farms. Combined with revenue lost from regulatory action, the U.S. regulatory framework has contributed to the slow growth of U.S. aquaculture and significant national food security risk. In 2023, the United States imported $25 billion worth of seafood representing 80% of the seafood consumed in the United States and creating a $20 billion trade deficit.
The bulletin is a valuable tool to inform and alert the public and state and federal agencies and legislative bodies as to the extreme regulatory costs and complexities borne by the U.S. aquaculture community.
Read the full bulletin here.
]]>
The California Aquaculture Association is proud to share a series of perspectives from intern, Briana (Bri) Le, a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara. Bri explores the vital role of aquaculture for both consumption and conservation in her series “Bri’s Outlook on Aquaculture”.
I am a Vietnamese-American woman, and I study aquaculture. Vietnam is one of the leading global producers of aquaculture, farming basa catfish and shrimp on a large scale to feed millions worldwide. Aquaculture is well-established in Vietnamese culture and economy, unlike in the U.S.
However, I don’t see people with similar backgrounds to mine in the field I am preparing to enter. Most of my professors have been white men. The spaces I’ve worked in have been predominantly white. It has been a bit isolating as one of the few AAPI people interested in aquaculture. That contradiction between my heritage and where I am currently is something that I’ve been thinking about.
Fisheries and aquaculture have historically been male-dominated, particularly in governance and leadership roles. Despite women making up at least 50% of the workforce in these seafood production industries, women tend to be in lower-paid roles rather than research, management, or farm ownership. Women of color face compounding factors, such as gender bias and racial exclusion from these spaces that have never been designed with them in mind. However, that’s not to say that there hasn’t been change.
What instills hope and inspiration in me are the women I’ve had the privilege of learning from directly.
Dr. Halley Froehlich was my principal investigator (PI) throughout my undergraduate research experience at UCSB, where she was a faculty member in both the Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and Environmental Studies departments. Her research focuses on the intersection of aquaculture, food systems, and sustainability, which motivated me to pursue aquaculture early on. She has since been recruited by the University of Helsinki to help establish and grow aquaculture in Finland, which speaks to the significance of her work. Having her be my PI has helped me see that women belong at the highest levels of aquaculture science.
Devin Spencer was the general manager of The Cultured Abalone Farm (TCAF) in Santa Barbara, a land-based operation prioritizing the sustainable hand-raising of red abalone. My internship at TCAF was my first real introduction to aquaculture, from throwing kelp to cleaning tanks to learning the significance of raising marine organisms for consumption and conservation purposes. Despite how tiring and dirty the work was, I absolutely loved it. Working alongside other women at the farm helped me see that I belonged in this field. Devin’s leadership showed me that women don’t just participate in aquaculture; they run the show.
Imani Black is the founder of Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of marginalized groups in the aquaculture industry through mentorship, education, and community outreach. Her work addresses something that the aquaculture industry has overlooked: diversity. Diversity isn’t just a mission statement that the industry needs to meet; diversity is necessary for improving the industry that feeds the world. We need ocean stewards who represent the different communities they are feeding. I am proud to share that I will be interning with MIA, where I will be participating in the University of Alaska Southeast’s aquaculture semester program this fall. My aquaculture journey is only just beginning, and I am excited to see where it takes me.
Representation matters in aquaculture. People need to see themselves in a field to believe they belong in it. I spent four years studying aquatic biology at a school within walking distance of the ocean, surrounded by people who didn’t look like me or come from a similar background to mine. I still found my way through the women who showed it was possible.
There are more of us with different backgrounds coming into this field, and we have lots of stories to share as we work to build a better aquaculture industry.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>If you would like to provide comment on the Action Plan, you can:
- Join the meeting from 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on June 16th
- In-person at the California Natural Resources Agency Headquarters Auditorium, 715 P Street, Sacramento, California
- Virtually (virtual meeting information will be posted to this webpage in advance of the meeting)
- Provide written comment to COPCpublic@resources.ca.gov by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15, 2026.
- Please include Item 7 in the email subject line.
The California Aquaculture Association (CAA) has submitted multiple comments on previous versions of the Plan. As a CAA member, if you have any input for additional comments to be submitted by CAA, please contact us.
]]>U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (D-CA) have officially introduced the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act in the Senate. This federal push aims to provide state and local authorities with resources to halt the spread of the golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei), an aggressive invasive species that poses a severe threat to California’s water infrastructure, fragile Delta ecosystems, and aquaculture operations.
A companion bill was previously introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Josh Harder (D-CA). If passed, the legislation will:
- Establish a federal demonstration program dedicated to the prevention, eradication, and control of golden mussels.
- Deploy new technologies, inspection stations, and rapid-response programs.
- Track dispersal patterns and develop early warning systems for future infestations.
- Provide grant funding for localized state and community mitigation efforts.
First detected in California in 2024, the golden mussel originates from China and Southeast Asia. Much like zebra and quagga mussels, these bio-foulers multiply rapidly and can swiftly clog vital water intake pipes, damage pumps, and compromise water infrastructure. Furthermore, they alter local water chemistry by releasing byproducts like nitrogen and phosphorus, which can trigger dangerous algal blooms – a major hazard to fish health and water quality in aquaculture systems.
The threat is expanding regionally. Oregon officials intercepted golden mussels on a watercraft earlier this spring, and Washington State recently reclassified the species to a “Prohibited Level 1” invasive threat.
CAA will continue to monitor the progress of this bill and keep members updated on new biosecurity protocols, inspection requirements, or funding opportunities that emerge.
]]>That makes sense. Aquaculture produces seafood, and California has a real opportunity to strengthen local and domestic aquatic food production.
But the opportunity is bigger than seafood alone.California aquaculture touches workforce development, coastal economies, rural
communities, public education, research, restoration, climate resilience, technology, specialty crops, culinary identity, and future careers connected to water.
That is what makes this sector so important.
For students, aquaculture offers career pathways in animal care, biology, marine science, agriculture, water quality, hatchery work, operations, engineering, food safety, seafood sales, logistics, processing, environmental monitoring, equipment, business development, and entrepreneurship.
For communities, aquaculture can support jobs, local food systems, working waterfronts, small businesses, and regional identity.
For agriculture, it broadens the definition of what California grows.
For restaurants and consumers, it offers the chance to connect more directly with local and regional aquatic products.
For researchers and educators, it creates living laboratories for water, food, sustainability, restoration, and systems thinking.
For policymakers, it offers a sector that sits at the intersection of food security, environmental stewardship, economic development, and workforce readiness.
This is why California aquaculture should not be framed only as a niche industry.
It is part of a much larger conversation about how we feed people, train people, employ people, restore ecosystems, use water wisely, and build resilient regional economies.
The opportunity is not automatic. It will require visibility, collaboration, investment, thoughtful policy, education, and public trust.
But the foundation is here.
California already has producers, scientists, educators, associations, agencies, entrepreneurs, and working farms doing the work.
Now the opportunity is to connect those pieces into something stronger.More students need to know this industry exists.
More members need to share what they are building.
More partners need to see where they fit.
More communities need to understand the value.
More buyers need to recognize California-grown aquatic products.
More leaders need to help move the sector forward.
Aquaculture is not just about growing in water.
It is about growing California’s next wave of food, jobs, science, and opportunity.
]]>
When people talk about aquaculture, they often talk about food.
That makes sense. Aquaculture produces seafood, and California has a real opportunity to strengthen local and domestic aquatic food production.
But the opportunity is bigger than seafood alone.California aquaculture touches workforce development, coastal economies, rural
communities, public education, research, restoration, climate resilience, technology, specialty crops, culinary identity, and future careers connected to water.
That is what makes this sector so important.
For students, aquaculture offers career pathways in animal care, biology, marine science, agriculture, water quality, hatchery work, operations, engineering, food safety, seafood sales, logistics, processing, environmental monitoring, equipment, business development, and entrepreneurship.
For communities, aquaculture can support jobs, local food systems, working waterfronts, small businesses, and regional identity.
For agriculture, it broadens the definition of what California grows.
For restaurants and consumers, it offers the chance to connect more directly with local and regional aquatic products.
For researchers and educators, it creates living laboratories for water, food, sustainability, restoration, and systems thinking.
For policymakers, it offers a sector that sits at the intersection of food security, environmental stewardship, economic development, and workforce readiness.
This is why California aquaculture should not be framed only as a niche industry.
It is part of a much larger conversation about how we feed people, train people, employ people, restore ecosystems, use water wisely, and build resilient regional economies.
The opportunity is not automatic. It will require visibility, collaboration, investment, thoughtful policy, education, and public trust.
But the foundation is here.
California already has producers, scientists, educators, associations, agencies, entrepreneurs, and working farms doing the work.
Now the opportunity is to connect those pieces into something stronger.More students need to know this industry exists.
More members need to share what they are building.
More partners need to see where they fit.
More communities need to understand the value.
More buyers need to recognize California-grown aquatic products.
More leaders need to help move the sector forward.
Aquaculture is not just about growing in water.
It is about growing California’s next wave of food, jobs, science, and opportunity.
]]>Whenever I tell people I’m a college student at UCSB, they often respond that it must be nice to be within walking distance of a beach from campus, and then they ask what I am studying.
I’ll admit, I feel blessed to go to a school where I can just walk to a sandy beach and look out to the ocean to clear my mind after a dense, hour-long lecture. I find it crazy that there are people in this world who have never seen the ocean or been to the beach; they’re truly missing out. Though I do acknowledge that these folks may not have the means to go to the beach, especially if they’re living in a landlocked state.
I answer their question by sharing that I’m majoring in aquatic biology and minoring in professional writing, under the science communication track. I also specify that I’m interested in fisheries and aquaculture. They then ask what aquaculture is. Though I am always happy to inform others about aquaculture and my research interests, it is a bit troubling that this field is undervalued despite its significance to our global food supply.
There is a communication problem within aquaculture, and it is necessary to start addressing it as the world transitions towards a blue economy.
I’m sure whoever is reading this is largely familiar with aquaculture. For those that aren’t, aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in a controlled environment. It is currently the fastest-growing food sector in the world, out-pacing wild-capture fisheries in terms of seafood production. In California (CA), the aquaculture industry comprises hard-working individuals cultivating all types of seafood, ranging from oysters, mussels, abalone, and seaweed.
CA aquaculture operations also operate under some of the strictest environmental regulations in the U.S. I’m not entirely familiar with the finite details of establishing an aquaculture farm in CA. However, I am aware that it is notoriously difficult to get a project approved due to numerous overlapping agency jurisdictions and strict coastal protections, creating barriers that prevent many from entering and establishing themselves in the industry. For established operations, people involved prioritize sustainable practices and contribute to restoration efforts to address struggling wild populations. Regardless of their efforts, most Californians have never heard of them.
Part of this unfamiliarity issue is people’s perception. Farmed seafood carries a stigma that wild-caught doesn’t. When people think of farmed seafood, they tend to imagine unsustainable, commercialized practices. Think of an overcrowded net pen where the fish are pumped with antibiotics, riddled with parasites, and are just one malfunction away from escaping the pen and wrecking wild populations. These concerns are valid for some existing operations, but do not reflect the reality of most CA aquaculture farms. This nuance is often overlooked because the science rarely reaches those who need to hear it. Researchers will continue to publish scientific papers, and companies will continue to write status reports. However, there is a communication gap—scientific communicators translating aquaculture content into comprehensible forms meant for the layperson.
Science communication can contribute to this public knowledge gap. Science communication is not only about making scientific concepts accessible; it’s also about establishing trust and connection. We learn best by sharing stories, and there are many aquaculture stories to be told. Communicating with the public can influence consumer choices, shape markets, which can change policies and funding. If there is mistrust in farmed seafood, people simply won’t buy it. If farmed seafood isn’t bought, CA aquaculture operations struggle to operate and expand. If there is no growth, then the industry can’t work towards establishing sustainable methods and restoration work that make the aquaculture industry worth supporting in the first place. The stakes of poor communication are greater than they may seem.
I’ve spent this spring quarter writing about aquaculture for a general audience. Science communication came more naturally than I expected. Though my scientific interests are cemented in aquaculture, I felt fulfilled writing stories on aquaculture-related topics to a general audience. Writing about abalone, sea urchin tinned fish, sea lettuce, and AYCE sushi for people who may be unfamiliar with these things wasn’t difficult; it was genuinely fun! The most difficult part of this process was balancing my writing internship, coursework, research, and all of the responsibilities that come with being a fourth-year college student.
Aquaculture stories are worth sharing, and there aren’t enough people telling them. CA has a coastal industry encompassing dedicated farmers, researchers, and conservationists doing impactful work that most will never know unless someone takes the time to make the information accessible. That is what science communication is largely about. For me, communicating about aquaculture won’t stop when this internship ends.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>
As we continue another year of opportunities and challenges in California’s aquaculture sector, the collective voice of our industry has never been more important.
Your continued support is vital to our shared mission: to protect, promote, and grow California’s aquaculture industry. whether you are a producer, supplier, researcher, or student, your participation strengthens our ability to advocate for favorable policies and navigate the complex regulatory environment we face.
Why Your Renewal Matters
Over the past year, CAA has worked tirelessly to represent your interests in Sacramento and beyond. Your membership dues directly fund these critical efforts:
- Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy: We maintain a strong presence with state and national policymakers to ensure the aquaculture perspective is heard on legislative issues, water rights, and environmental policies.
- Industry Updates: Our weekly newsletter keeps you informed on the latest industry news, events, and regulatory changes so you aren’t caught off guard.
- Business Benefits: Members continue to enjoy access to registration discounts for World Aquaculture Society conferences (CA/NV).
View additional member benefits: caaquaculture.org/join
For Producer and Associate Members: Renewing ensures you retain your voting rights in CAA elections, your eligibility for Director nomination, and your ability to submit articles for publication on our platform – giving your business visibility among peers and the public.
How to Renew
Renewing is simple and takes just a few moments. Below are your renewal options:
- Pay via the payment request sent to you by email. (Credit card, ACH, or check accepted. Please contact us if you did not receive a payment request.)
- Submit your membership renewal by completing the form online: caaquaculture.org/join
Thank you for your dedication to sustainable aquaculture in California. We look forward to standing with you for another year of growth and resilience.
Sincerely,
Tony Vaught, President
]]>They may hear the word “aquaculture” and picture something far away, industrial, or unfamiliar. But in California, aquaculture shows up in many different forms.
It can look like oyster bags in a coastal bay.
It can look like mussel lines in open water.
It can look like tanks filled with trout, catfish, sturgeon, or ornamental fish.It can look like abalone being raised in carefully managed land-based systems.
It can look like seaweed or kelp grown on lines in the water or researched in hatchery settings.
It can look like hatchery teams caring for young aquatic animals, scientists testing water quality, farmers checking gear, technicians monitoring systems, and crews harvesting a product that will move into seafood markets, restaurants, restoration projects, or local communities.California aquaculture is not hidden because it lacks value.
It is hidden because much of the work happens in places the public rarely sees — on farms, in tanks, on leases, in hatcheries, in labs, along waterfronts, behind biosecurity protocols, or within highly specialized production systems.
That invisibility creates a problem.
When people cannot see the work, they struggle to understand the skill behind it. They do not see the animal care, the water-quality monitoring, the permits, the safety procedures, the weather challenges, the market pressures, the biology, the infrastructure, the equipment, the labor, or the business decisions behind every harvest.
That is why storytelling matters.
California aquaculture needs more photos, more farm stories, more career features, more student exposure, more buyer education, more public-facing language, and more opportunities for people to connect the word “aquaculture” to real people doing real work.
Because once people see it, they understand it differently.
They see that aquaculture is not abstract.
It is hands-on.
It is technical.
It is local.
It is skilled.
It is agricultural.
It is environmental.
It is entrepreneurial.
It is part of California’s food future.
And it deserves to be seen.
If you are part of California aquaculture and want to help bring this industry into clearer view, America’s Blue Highway Tour will be traveling through California this summer.
We are looking to feature the farms, hatcheries, businesses, researchers, educators, service providers, and people helping shape the future of aquaculture in this state.
If you are open to sharing your work, your operation, or your story, we would love to hear from you.
Let us know, and we’ll explore adding you to this summer’s Blue Highway Tour of discovery.
]]>They may hear the word “aquaculture” and picture something far away, industrial, or unfamiliar. But in California, aquaculture shows up in many different forms.
It can look like oyster bags in a coastal bay.
It can look like mussel lines in open water.
It can look like tanks filled with trout, catfish, sturgeon, or ornamental fish.It can look like abalone being raised in carefully managed land-based systems.
It can look like seaweed or kelp grown on lines in the water or researched in hatchery settings.
It can look like hatchery teams caring for young aquatic animals, scientists testing water quality, farmers checking gear, technicians monitoring systems, and crews harvesting a product that will move into seafood markets, restaurants, restoration projects, or local communities.California aquaculture is not hidden because it lacks value.
It is hidden because much of the work happens in places the public rarely sees — on farms, in tanks, on leases, in hatcheries, in labs, along waterfronts, behind biosecurity protocols, or within highly specialized production systems.
That invisibility creates a problem.
When people cannot see the work, they struggle to understand the skill behind it. They do not see the animal care, the water-quality monitoring, the permits, the safety procedures, the weather challenges, the market pressures, the biology, the infrastructure, the equipment, the labor, or the business decisions behind every harvest.
That is why storytelling matters.
California aquaculture needs more photos, more farm stories, more career features, more student exposure, more buyer education, more public-facing language, and more opportunities for people to connect the word “aquaculture” to real people doing real work.
Because once people see it, they understand it differently.
They see that aquaculture is not abstract.
It is hands-on.
It is technical.
It is local.
It is skilled.
It is agricultural.
It is environmental.
It is entrepreneurial.
It is part of California’s food future.
And it deserves to be seen.
If you are part of California aquaculture and want to help bring this industry into clearer view, America’s Blue Highway Tour will be traveling through California this summer.
We are looking to feature the farms, hatcheries, businesses, researchers, educators, service providers, and people helping shape the future of aquaculture in this state.
If you are open to sharing your work, your operation, or your story, we would love to hear from you.
Let us know, and we’ll explore adding you to this summer’s Blue Highway Tour of discovery.
]]>Whenever I tell people I’m a college student at UCSB, they often respond that it must be nice to be within walking distance of a beach from campus, and then they ask what I am studying.
I’ll admit, I feel blessed to go to a school where I can just walk to a sandy beach and look out to the ocean to clear my mind after a dense, hour-long lecture. I find it crazy that there are people in this world who have never seen the ocean or been to the beach; they’re truly missing out. Though I do acknowledge that these folks may not have the means to go to the beach, especially if they’re living in a landlocked state.
I answer their question by sharing that I’m majoring in aquatic biology and minoring in professional writing, under the science communication track. I also specify that I’m interested in fisheries and aquaculture. They then ask what aquaculture is. Though I am always happy to inform others about aquaculture and my research interests, it is a bit troubling that this field is undervalued despite its significance to our global food supply.
There is a communication problem within aquaculture, and it is necessary to start addressing it as the world transitions towards a blue economy.
I’m sure whoever is reading this is largely familiar with aquaculture. For those that aren’t, aquaculture is the farming of aquatic organisms in a controlled environment. It is currently the fastest-growing food sector in the world, out-pacing wild-capture fisheries in terms of seafood production. In California (CA), the aquaculture industry comprises hard-working individuals cultivating all types of seafood, ranging from oysters, mussels, abalone, and seaweed.
CA aquaculture operations also operate under some of the strictest environmental regulations in the U.S. I’m not entirely familiar with the finite details of establishing an aquaculture farm in CA. However, I am aware that it is notoriously difficult to get a project approved due to numerous overlapping agency jurisdictions and strict coastal protections, creating barriers that prevent many from entering and establishing themselves in the industry. For established operations, people involved prioritize sustainable practices and contribute to restoration efforts to address struggling wild populations. Regardless of their efforts, most Californians have never heard of them.
Part of this unfamiliarity issue is people’s perception. Farmed seafood carries a stigma that wild-caught doesn’t. When people think of farmed seafood, they tend to imagine unsustainable, commercialized practices. Think of an overcrowded net pen where the fish are pumped with antibiotics, riddled with parasites, and are just one malfunction away from escaping the pen and wrecking wild populations. These concerns are valid for some existing operations, but do not reflect the reality of most CA aquaculture farms. This nuance is often overlooked because the science rarely reaches those who need to hear it. Researchers will continue to publish scientific papers, and companies will continue to write status reports. However, there is a communication gap—scientific communicators translating aquaculture content into comprehensible forms meant for the layperson.
Science communication can contribute to this public knowledge gap. Science communication is not only about making scientific concepts accessible; it’s also about establishing trust and connection. We learn best by sharing stories, and there are many aquaculture stories to be told. Communicating with the public can influence consumer choices, shape markets, which can change policies and funding. If there is mistrust in farmed seafood, people simply won’t buy it. If farmed seafood isn’t bought, CA aquaculture operations struggle to operate and expand. If there is no growth, then the industry can’t work towards establishing sustainable methods and restoration work that make the aquaculture industry worth supporting in the first place. The stakes of poor communication are greater than they may seem.
I’ve spent this spring quarter writing about aquaculture for a general audience. Science communication came more naturally than I expected. Though my scientific interests are cemented in aquaculture, I felt fulfilled writing stories on aquaculture-related topics to a general audience. Writing about abalone, sea urchin tinned fish, sea lettuce, and AYCE sushi for people who may be unfamiliar with these things wasn’t difficult; it was genuinely fun! The most difficult part of this process was balancing my writing internship, coursework, research, and all of the responsibilities that come with being a fourth-year college student.
Aquaculture stories are worth sharing, and there aren’t enough people telling them. CA has a coastal industry encompassing dedicated farmers, researchers, and conservationists doing impactful work that most will never know unless someone takes the time to make the information accessible. That is what science communication is largely about. For me, communicating about aquaculture won’t stop when this internship ends.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Public Comment Deadline: June 15, 2026
What is the SSAP?
The SSAP is intended to provide a streamlined “road map” for shellfish and seaweed operations within the Port’s jurisdiction. Version 2 includes significant updates to spatial planning for both in-water and landside sites, as well as revised Best Management Practices (BMPs). These details will directly impact future permitting ease and operational costs.
How You Can Help:
We are currently drafting a formal response. To make our comments as effective as possible, we need your ground-level expertise. Please send your feedback on site suitability, spatial constraints, proposed BMPs, or anything else you feel essential to the CAA office by June 8th.
Two Ways to Take Action
- Inform Our Collective Voice: Share your thoughts with us. Your insights into the technical feasibility of the proposed sites and operational requirements are essential for a strong CAA submission.
- Submit Your Own Comments: We encourage members to submit individual comments directly to the Port at SSAP@portofsandiego.org.
Your engagement ensures that aquaculture continues to grow in a way that supports our members and the health of our coastal waters. For additional information about SSAP, click here.
Thank you,
Michael Lee, Executive Director
]]>But there is another part of California agriculture that has not always received the same public attention.
It grows in water.
California aquaculture has deep roots across the state, from shellfish grown in coastal bays to freshwater fish farms, hatcheries, abalone culture, trout production, algae, kelp, and emerging aquatic species. This is not a new idea suddenly appearing on the horizon. It is a long-standing part of California’s food, science, conservation, and working-water history.
For decades, growers, researchers, hatchery teams, and aquatic farmers have helped develop production methods, species knowledge, and husbandry practices that support both commercial production and restoration work. California’s aquaculture story includes oysters, mussels, clams, abalone, trout, catfish, sturgeon, seaweed, ornamental fish, hatcheries, research institutions, and natural resource agencies.
That range matters.
It shows that aquaculture is not one thing. It is not one species, one method, one region, or one kind of business. It is a broad and diverse sector connected to food production, environmental stewardship, science, public resources, working waterfronts, rural economies, coastal communities, and education.
California has always been a place of innovation. That is true in technology, agriculture, environmental science, food, and water.
Aquaculture belongs in that story.
The opportunity now is to make sure people understand that this work is not separate from California agriculture. It is part of it. It is farming, ranching, hatchery work, animal husbandry, plant cultivation, environmental management, and food production; all connected through water.
As California looks toward the future of food, climate resilience, local production, and workforce development, aquaculture should not be treated as an afterthought.
It should be recognized as one of the state’s most important next chapters.
]]>But there is another part of California agriculture that has not always received the same public attention.
It grows in water.
California aquaculture has deep roots across the state, from shellfish grown in coastal bays to freshwater fish farms, hatcheries, abalone culture, trout production, algae, kelp, and emerging aquatic species. This is not a new idea suddenly appearing on the horizon. It is a long-standing part of California’s food, science, conservation, and working-water history.
For decades, growers, researchers, hatchery teams, and aquatic farmers have helped develop production methods, species knowledge, and husbandry practices that support both commercial production and restoration work. California’s aquaculture story includes oysters, mussels, clams, abalone, trout, catfish, sturgeon, seaweed, ornamental fish, hatcheries, research institutions, and natural resource agencies.
That range matters.
It shows that aquaculture is not one thing. It is not one species, one method, one region, or one kind of business. It is a broad and diverse sector connected to food production, environmental stewardship, science, public resources, working waterfronts, rural economies, coastal communities, and education.
California has always been a place of innovation. That is true in technology, agriculture, environmental science, food, and water.
Aquaculture belongs in that story.
The opportunity now is to make sure people understand that this work is not separate from California agriculture. It is part of it. It is farming, ranching, hatchery work, animal husbandry, plant cultivation, environmental management, and food production; all connected through water.
As California looks toward the future of food, climate resilience, local production, and workforce development, aquaculture should not be treated as an afterthought.
It should be recognized as one of the state’s most important next chapters.
]]>During a meeting with my PI at the time, I asked her a question that randomly popped into my mind: was it possible to farm horseshoe crabs for their blood?
I’m not as interested in medicine as I am with seafood, but I learned that their blue blood was important in modern medicine. It was also brought to my attention that the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, largely due to overharvesting and climate change. If we rely on horseshoe crabs for their blood, shouldn’t we consider farming them to reduce pressure on wild populations?
My PI responded that raising horseshoe crabs in a captive and controlled environment wasn’t really feasible because crabs are inherently prone to cannibalism. Despite the consistent high demand for crab meat globally, it wouldn’t be practical to farm them. Crab cannibalism—a naturally occurring response when food and space are limited—is one of the major reasons why we don’t see many crab aquaculture operations. Not only does it directly decrease the population, but crab cannibalism can also spread pathogens and diseases that would be difficult to address in a concentrated captive population.
That’s not to say that crab aquaculture doesn’t exist! There are several farming operations in Asia, Australia, and Africa that primarily culture mud crabs (Scylla spp.). Mud crabs are farmed both extensively (i.e., lightly managed and reliant on natural ecosystems) and intensively (i.e., heavily managed and reliant on closed systems). For instance, farmers have raised crabs in flooded rice paddies; crabs help control pests and fertilize the soil, resulting in efficient yields of both rice and mud crabs. Farmers have also implemented vertical box farming, where mud crabs are raised in individual boxes stacked on top of each other to maximize space and meat yield.
Though this discussion is not focused on mud crab farming, I still wanted to determine the viability of farming horseshoe crabs, especially if it could contribute to their wild populations and supply of blue blood.
Horseshoe crabs are fascinating organisms, first appearing in the ocean approximately 450 million years ago. They predate dinosaurs by more than 200 million years, and they remain largely unchanged. These ancient marine arthropods are not true crabs, nor are they crustaceans; they’re more closely related to spiders and scorpions! At some point in human history, researchers discovered a unique property in their blood that changed the medical field for good.
Their blood is blue because of copper-based molecules, unlike iron-based hemoglobin in our red blood. Specialized immune cells called amebocytes are in their blue blood, which rapidly reacts by clotting in the presence of bacterial toxins, referred to as endotoxins. This clotting is vital in determining whether the tested drug or medical device was contaminated with a dangerous pathogen. A test centered around this blood-clotting mechanism, known as Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), became the standard for pharmaceutical quality testing. Every single medical product that introduces medicine into the bloodstream (e.g., vaccines, IV bags, injectable medication) has most likely been through LAL testing to ensure safety. If you’ve ever received a vaccine or IV, horseshoe crab blood has contributed to your health.
However, producing LAL is problematic. Each year, countless horseshoe crabs are harvested from coastal waters, transported to biomedical facilities, where they’re bled, and their blood is collected in glass jars. Up to 30% of their blood volume is extracted through a needle inserted near their heart. They are then returned to the ocean; many experience stress and mortality post-release. At least half a million horseshoe crabs are killed each year. They are also essential to coastal ecosystems: their eggs help supply energy for migrating shorebirds, and their burrowing behavior aerates the sand, which creates a more suitable environment for other sandy invertebrates. A declining horseshoe crab population is devastating to coastal ecosystems, particularly beaches.
Circling back to my question: why not just farm them? Aside from cannibalism, horseshoe crabs are slow growers, taking 9 to 12 years to reach reproductive maturity. If an aquaculture farm wanted to raise horseshoe crabs through a hatchery, it would take nearly a decade to produce any product. Considering the slow growth rate, cannibalism, and high operating costs, farming them would simply not be profitable.
Even if horseshoe crab farming isn’t feasible, this discussion highlights the possibilities and limitations of aquaculture. Successful aquaculture operations depend on understanding the species’ behavior, life history, environmental needs, and economic viability.
The ethical and environmental concerns surrounding horseshoe crabs also reflect a broader objective shared across aquaculture and conservation: meeting human needs without compromising wild populations and ecosystems. Whether through sustainable farming practices or the development of synthetic alternatives to LAL, innovation will play an important role in protecting organisms, such as the ancient horseshoe crab. Sometimes aquaculture can be the solution, but sustainability also begins with recognizing that conservation must take priority.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>During a meeting with my PI at the time, I asked her a question that randomly popped into my mind: was it possible to farm horseshoe crabs for their blood?
I’m not as interested in medicine as I am with seafood, but I learned that their blue blood was important in modern medicine. It was also brought to my attention that the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, largely due to overharvesting and climate change. If we rely on horseshoe crabs for their blood, shouldn’t we consider farming them to reduce pressure on wild populations?
My PI responded that raising horseshoe crabs in a captive and controlled environment wasn’t really feasible because crabs are inherently prone to cannibalism. Despite the consistent high demand for crab meat globally, it wouldn’t be practical to farm them. Crab cannibalism—a naturally occurring response when food and space are limited—is one of the major reasons why we don’t see many crab aquaculture operations. Not only does it directly decrease the population, but crab cannibalism can also spread pathogens and diseases that would be difficult to address in a concentrated captive population.
That’s not to say that crab aquaculture doesn’t exist! There are several farming operations in Asia, Australia, and Africa that primarily culture mud crabs (Scylla spp.). Mud crabs are farmed both extensively (i.e., lightly managed and reliant on natural ecosystems) and intensively (i.e., heavily managed and reliant on closed systems). For instance, farmers have raised crabs in flooded rice paddies; crabs help control pests and fertilize the soil, resulting in efficient yields of both rice and mud crabs. Farmers have also implemented vertical box farming, where mud crabs are raised in individual boxes stacked on top of each other to maximize space and meat yield.
Though this discussion is not focused on mud crab farming, I still wanted to determine the viability of farming horseshoe crabs, especially if it could contribute to their wild populations and supply of blue blood.
Horseshoe crabs are fascinating organisms, first appearing in the ocean approximately 450 million years ago. They predate dinosaurs by more than 200 million years, and they remain largely unchanged. These ancient marine arthropods are not true crabs, nor are they crustaceans; they’re more closely related to spiders and scorpions! At some point in human history, researchers discovered a unique property in their blood that changed the medical field for good.
Their blood is blue because of copper-based molecules, unlike iron-based hemoglobin in our red blood. Specialized immune cells called amebocytes are in their blue blood, which rapidly reacts by clotting in the presence of bacterial toxins, referred to as endotoxins. This clotting is vital in determining whether the tested drug or medical device was contaminated with a dangerous pathogen. A test centered around this blood-clotting mechanism, known as Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL), became the standard for pharmaceutical quality testing. Every single medical product that introduces medicine into the bloodstream (e.g., vaccines, IV bags, injectable medication) has most likely been through LAL testing to ensure safety. If you’ve ever received a vaccine or IV, horseshoe crab blood has contributed to your health.
However, producing LAL is problematic. Each year, countless horseshoe crabs are harvested from coastal waters, transported to biomedical facilities, where they’re bled, and their blood is collected in glass jars. Up to 30% of their blood volume is extracted through a needle inserted near their heart. They are then returned to the ocean; many experience stress and mortality post-release. At least half a million horseshoe crabs are killed each year. They are also essential to coastal ecosystems: their eggs help supply energy for migrating shorebirds, and their burrowing behavior aerates the sand, which creates a more suitable environment for other sandy invertebrates. A declining horseshoe crab population is devastating to coastal ecosystems, particularly beaches.
Circling back to my question: why not just farm them? Aside from cannibalism, horseshoe crabs are slow growers, taking 9 to 12 years to reach reproductive maturity. If an aquaculture farm wanted to raise horseshoe crabs through a hatchery, it would take nearly a decade to produce any product. Considering the slow growth rate, cannibalism, and high operating costs, farming them would simply not be profitable.
Even if horseshoe crab farming isn’t feasible, this discussion highlights the possibilities and limitations of aquaculture. Successful aquaculture operations depend on understanding the species’ behavior, life history, environmental needs, and economic viability.
The ethical and environmental concerns surrounding horseshoe crabs also reflect a broader objective shared across aquaculture and conservation: meeting human needs without compromising wild populations and ecosystems. Whether through sustainable farming practices or the development of synthetic alternatives to LAL, innovation will play an important role in protecting organisms, such as the ancient horseshoe crab. Sometimes aquaculture can be the solution, but sustainability also begins with recognizing that conservation must take priority.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>When I think of all-you-can-eat (AYCE) restaurants, I always think of Little Sakana, an AYCE sushi restaurant located in Mira Mesa, San Diego, which is predominantly Asian. As a Vietnamese-American myself, I can confidently say that Asians love their seafood to the point that people were willing to wait an hour or more to be seated in Little Sakana. Nothing would stop most from getting their sushi fix in Mira Mesa.
Once you were seated, you could see parents enjoying fried tempura and teriyaki bowls with their little ones. Co-workers chatting over some beer and sushi rolls. Servers continuously moved from table to table to ensure patrons were satisfied. Chefs diligently worked to get orders out as quickly as possible. Even with how busy the restaurant was, the quality of their dishes and service didn’t falter.
Whenever I went to Little Sakana, I was only there for one thing: to get my money’s worth. If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I am talking about. If not, the concept of “getting your money’s worth” is essentially eating high-cost items (e.g., uni, scallops, eel) to maximize the amount you paid for AYCE. Other tactics include not eating a lot before AYCE or avoiding high-carb appetizers (e.g., French fries, fried rice, fried chicken). With this mindset, I would order at least fifty pieces of nigiri. I would always get salmon, yellowtail, and seared ahi tuna. I would dip each piece into ponzu before shoveling it into my mouth. I enjoyed every piece until I was stuffed.
As I learned more about seafood in my classes and research, I began to wonder if AYCE sushi was all that sustainable. How was it possible for any AYCE sushi restaurant to produce a copious amount of sushi daily? Is it an effective business model, or is it just fishy business?
Though I can’t comment on how Little Sakana operates its business, I can discuss how seafood fits into the AYCE picture. These AYCE sushi restaurants source carefully to offer unlimited seafood at a fixed price—typically through farmed species. The salmon at most establishments is most likely Atlantic salmon, which is commonly farmed in open net pens in Norway and Chile. Yellowtail is often farmed in Japan. Shellfish are also typically farmed. Without aquaculture, AYCE sushi simply wouldn’t exist. Wild-caught fish are expensive, and their market prices often fluctuate, which wouldn’t work for an unlimited menu.
Sourcing farmed seafood isn’t a bad thing. When raised responsibly and sustainably, farmed salmon and yellowtail can have lower environmental impacts compared to wild-caught, though practices vary widely. Farmed shellfish is widely considered one of the most sustainable forms of seafood production. The sustainability question regarding AYCE sushi is not about the business itself; it’s about what species are on the menu and how they’re sourced. Fifty pieces of farmed salmon have very different ecological implications compared to fifty pieces of wild bluefin tuna.
This is where California aquaculture becomes relevant. San Diego already has a small yellowtail aquaculture operation, conducted by the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. For years, they’ve produced products that rival imported Japanese yellowtail in quality. Further up the coast, California farms are raising oysters, mussels, and abalone in waters that are highly regulated and environmentally monitored. Closer sourcing means fresh fish for consumers, a shorter supply chain, and a smaller carbon footprint. If California aquaculture can sustainably scale up production of species that AYCE restaurants already use in their menus, there’s an opportunity to make the AYCE model more sustainable and local simultaneously.
I still enjoy AYCE sushi, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. But knowing where the fish comes from and how it’s raised, I find myself paying more attention to the menu. Rather than focusing on whether we should eat the sushi or not, we should really be asking if what’s on the plate was raised with care.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>We need our members to help bring this industry into view.
If you are farming oysters, mussels, trout, catfish, sturgeon, algae, kelp, ornamental fish, or other aquatic species in California, your work matters. If you are supporting the industry through research, education, hatcheries, equipment, processing, consulting, regulation, workforce development, or technical services, your work matters too.
Now is the time to help people see it.
Members can get involved by sharing photos from the farm, submitting short updates, offering story ideas, hosting student or industry visits when possible, participating in member spotlights, mentoring emerging professionals, joining committees, sharing job and internship opportunities, contributing to policy and permitting conversations, and helping CAA connect with schools, agencies, buyers, chefs, and community partners.
California aquaculture needs more visibility, more collaboration, and more voices at the table.
The public cannot support what it does not understand. Students cannot pursue careers they do not know exist. Policymakers cannot fully appreciate an industry they rarely see. And future partners cannot engage with work that remains hidden.
So here is the call:
Send us the story.
Send us the photo.
Invite us to see the operation.
Share the challenge.
Celebrate the win.
Raise your hand.
Bring someone new into the conversation.
CAA is here to help connect, promote, educate, advocate, and build momentum but the strength of this association comes from the people and businesses behind it.
California aquaculture is already here
Now let’s help California see it.
]]>Draft Agenda: A draft agenda for the meeting has been attached. This agenda is still subject to change before September, and the most current draft will be posted on the Annual Meeting webpage: 2026 Annual Meeting | Western Regional Panel
Host Hotel: The Holiday Inn Downtown Sacramento is our host hotel. Take advantage of the government rate and secure your room within the meeting block at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena, 300 J Street, Sacramento. Book your hotel room here
Registration
Conference Registration (September 23-24) Register
Field Trip Registration (September 25) Register
When I think of all-you-can-eat (AYCE) restaurants, I always think of Little Sakana, an AYCE sushi restaurant located in Mira Mesa, San Diego, which is predominantly Asian. As a Vietnamese-American myself, I can confidently say that Asians love their seafood to the point that people were willing to wait an hour or more to be seated in Little Sakana. Nothing would stop most from getting their sushi fix in Mira Mesa.
Once you were seated, you could see parents enjoying fried tempura and teriyaki bowls with their little ones. Co-workers chatting over some beer and sushi rolls. Servers continuously moved from table to table to ensure patrons were satisfied. Chefs diligently worked to get orders out as quickly as possible. Even with how busy the restaurant was, the quality of their dishes and service didn’t falter.
Whenever I went to Little Sakana, I was only there for one thing: to get my money’s worth. If you’re Asian, you know exactly what I am talking about. If not, the concept of “getting your money’s worth” is essentially eating high-cost items (e.g., uni, scallops, eel) to maximize the amount you paid for AYCE. Other tactics include not eating a lot before AYCE or avoiding high-carb appetizers (e.g., French fries, fried rice, fried chicken). With this mindset, I would order at least fifty pieces of nigiri. I would always get salmon, yellowtail, and seared ahi tuna. I would dip each piece into ponzu before shoveling it into my mouth. I enjoyed every piece until I was stuffed.
As I learned more about seafood in my classes and research, I began to wonder if AYCE sushi was all that sustainable. How was it possible for any AYCE sushi restaurant to produce a copious amount of sushi daily? Is it an effective business model, or is it just fishy business?
Though I can’t comment on how Little Sakana operates its business, I can discuss how seafood fits into the AYCE picture. These AYCE sushi restaurants source carefully to offer unlimited seafood at a fixed price—typically through farmed species. The salmon at most establishments is most likely Atlantic salmon, which is commonly farmed in open net pens in Norway and Chile. Yellowtail is often farmed in Japan. Shellfish are also typically farmed. Without aquaculture, AYCE sushi simply wouldn’t exist. Wild-caught fish are expensive, and their market prices often fluctuate, which wouldn’t work for an unlimited menu.
Sourcing farmed seafood isn’t a bad thing. When raised responsibly and sustainably, farmed salmon and yellowtail can have lower environmental impacts compared to wild-caught, though practices vary widely. Farmed shellfish is widely considered one of the most sustainable forms of seafood production. The sustainability question regarding AYCE sushi is not about the business itself; it’s about what species are on the menu and how they’re sourced. Fifty pieces of farmed salmon have very different ecological implications compared to fifty pieces of wild bluefin tuna.
This is where California aquaculture becomes relevant. San Diego already has a small yellowtail aquaculture operation, conducted by the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute. For years, they’ve produced products that rival imported Japanese yellowtail in quality. Further up the coast, California farms are raising oysters, mussels, and abalone in waters that are highly regulated and environmentally monitored. Closer sourcing means fresh fish for consumers, a shorter supply chain, and a smaller carbon footprint. If California aquaculture can sustainably scale up production of species that AYCE restaurants already use in their menus, there’s an opportunity to make the AYCE model more sustainable and local simultaneously.
I still enjoy AYCE sushi, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. But knowing where the fish comes from and how it’s raised, I find myself paying more attention to the menu. Rather than focusing on whether we should eat the sushi or not, we should really be asking if what’s on the plate was raised with care.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Public Comment Deadline: June 15, 2026
What is the SSAP?
The SSAP is intended to provide a streamlined “road map” for shellfish and seaweed operations within the Port’s jurisdiction. Version 2 includes significant updates to spatial planning for both in-water and landside sites, as well as revised Best Management Practices (BMPs). These details will directly impact future permitting ease and operational costs.
How You Can Help:
We are currently drafting a formal response. To make our comments as effective as possible, we need your ground-level expertise. Please send your feedback on site suitability, spatial constraints, proposed BMPs, or anything else you feel essential to the CAA office by June 8th.
Two Ways to Take Action
- Inform Our Collective Voice: Share your thoughts with us. Your insights into the technical feasibility of the proposed sites and operational requirements are essential for a strong CAA submission.
- Submit Your Own Comments: We encourage members to submit individual comments directly to the Port at SSAP@portofsandiego.org.
Your engagement ensures that aquaculture continues to grow in a way that supports our members and the health of our coastal waters. For additional information about SSAP, click here.
Thank you,
Michael Lee, Executive Director
]]>What’s New?
While the Governor hailed the decision as a “victory” that puts the state “closer than ever” to securing its water future, the approval came with caveats. The Council has ordered the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to address two specific challenges regarding land use and environmental impacts before final proceedings can move forward.
For the aquaculture community, the project represents a double-edged sword:
- Infrastructure Reliability: Proponents argue the 45-mile tunnel is essential to safeguard the State Water Project against climate change, seismic risks, and saltwater intrusion, potentially stabilizing water supplies for two-thirds of the state.
- Ecosystem & Water Quality Concerns: Opponents, including environmental groups and the fishing industry, warn that diverting freshwater before it flows through the Delta could exacerbate existing issues like harmful algal blooms (HABs), degraded water quality, and the decline of sensitive fish species—factors that directly impact the health of California’s aquatic environments and the reputation of its sustainable seafood.
Why It Matters for CAA Members
As the heart of California’s water system, the Delta’s health is inextricably linked to the state’s broader hydrologic health. The tunnel project faces several “existential” hurdles that will unfold over the next year:
- Water Rights & Quality: State regulators are currently holding hearings on whether to allow the DWR to divert Sacramento River water. These decisions will impact salinity levels and nutrient loading in the Delta.
- Financing Uncertainties: Court rulings have recently upended the state’s original financing plans, and major water agencies have yet to fully commit to the multi-billion dollar price tag.
- The 2027 Deadline: With construction commitments not expected until 2027, the fate of the project will likely fall to the next administration, creating a period of prolonged uncertainty for water users.
The Path Forward
CAA continues to monitor how these large-scale infrastructure shifts will affect water availability and quality for our members. As the state moves from planning to potential implementation, the focus remains on ensuring that “water reliability” does not come at the expense of the aquatic ecosystems that our industry depends upon.
]]>These proposed changes to federal oversight and permitting could have long-term implications for our industry.
Key Highlights of the Proposal:
- Major Funding Reductions: The administration is requesting $768 million for NOAA Fisheries – a decrease of $530 million from previous enacted levels.
- Transfer of ESA & MMPA Oversight: In a move to “streamline” federal processes, the administration proposes transferring responsibilities for the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) from NOAA to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This would centralize all endangered species reviews under the Department of the Interior.
- Elimination of Habitat Conservation: The proposal seeks to eliminate the Office of Habitat Conservation (a $58 million cut) and terminate Species Recovery Grants, shifting the focus away from federal habitat restoration projects.
- Modernizing Data Collection: While surveys and management support face cuts totaling over $50 million, the administration plans to bridge the gap by investing in automated technology, AI, and uncrewed systems to monitor fisheries and combat illegal fishing.
- “America First Seafood Strategy”: The budget carves out $9.4 million for a new initiative aimed at increasing global market access for U.S. seafood and enhancing the Seafood Import Monitoring Program.
What This Means for Aquaculture
The consolidation of ESA and MMPA authorities under a single agency (USFWS) is intended to reduce “consultation drag” and create a more predictable permitting environment. However, industry advocates and scientific bodies have raised concerns that such drastic funding cuts and the loss of specialized expertise at NOAA could lead to delays in permit processing and a reduction in the data necessary for sustainable management.
Looking Ahead
It is important to note that this is a budget proposal. Similar cuts were proposed in the previous cycle and were largely restored by Congress. The California Aquaculture Association will continue to monitor this legislation as it moves through the House and Senate.
]]>Not everything grown on an aquaculture farm is intentional. Sometimes it can pave the way for new opportunities. During my internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, I noticed floating pieces of green algae circulating in a tank full of red dulse. The farm only cultures red seaweeds – ogo (Gracilaria pacifica) and dulse (Develerea mollis) – along with their red abalone and purple sea urchins. It was slightly odd to see some green seaweed among the red seaweed.
It was sea lettuce, otherwise known as Ulva spp., growing on its own. Knowing that it was edible, I grabbed a piece of sea lettuce and tasted it out of curiosity. The sea lettuce didn’t have much flavor, differing from the briny taste distinctive in other seaweeds. Although the flavor was subtle, the texture scratched a specific part of my brain that I did not know existed. The sea lettuce’s texture was thin and delicate, and it reminded me of eating a photography film. It’s an odd description for sea lettuce’s texture, but it worked for me and this revelation has stuck ever since.
So, what is sea lettuce? Ulva spp. is a bright green marine algae found along coastlines worldwide, including California. Sea lettuce is one of the most widespread green seaweeds, thriving in both rocky intertidal zones and brackish estuaries. Despite its abundance, many walk past this seaweed without much thought.
Interestingly, humans have eaten sea lettuce for centuries. With plenty of sea lettuce growing in accessible areas, people often forage it along the coast. It’s common in East Asian, British, and Scandinavian cuisines, typically eaten in soups, salads, and used as a garnish. Sea lettuce is also highly nutritious with numerous health benefits, boasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also high in protein, iron, fiber, and vitamins A and C. For sea lettuce being so overlooked in the United States, it has fed global communities throughout time.
Despite its benefits, there are mixed feelings on sea lettuce. In some coastal areas, sea lettuce blooms can rapidly grow, forming thick mats along the water’s surface. These algae blooms deplete oxygen levels in water and create dead zones, suffocating marine life. For many, sea lettuce is associated with problematic algae blooms rather than something appetizing. That perspective is difficult to change, even when the same algae causing issues in polluted waters are perfectly edible in clean waters. Given the right conditions and environment, sea lettuce can write an entirely different story.
That different story is already being written in California. There are efforts in researching the possibility of growing sea lettuce as a cultivated crop in aquaculture. One approach is through integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), where multiple species are farmed together to represent natural ecosystems. Sea lettuce can absorb excess nutrients released by fish and shellfish, acting as a natural water filter.
Cultivated sea lettuce also has potential as a sustainable food source and ingredient in aquaculture feed. Replacing conventional feed ingredients with locally-sourced sea lettuce could reduce the environmental footprint of aquaculture operations in California. A few California farms and research institutions have been exploring this opportunity, such as Sunken Seaweed and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. With the continuously growing interest in seaweed aquaculture, sea lettuce is becoming difficult to ignore.
Sea lettuce has always been present, quietly growing all over the coast of California. Considering its nutritional value, culinary uses, and position in sustainable aquaculture operations, sea lettuce deserves more than a passing glance.
Sometimes the most overlooked things deserve a bit more attention. All it takes is grabbing a piece from a tank and giving it a try.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Not everything grown on an aquaculture farm is intentional. Sometimes it can pave the way for new opportunities. During my internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, I noticed floating pieces of green algae circulating in a tank full of red dulse. The farm only cultures red seaweeds – ogo (Gracilaria pacifica) and dulse (Develerea mollis) – along with their red abalone and purple sea urchins. It was slightly odd to see some green seaweed among the red seaweed.
It was sea lettuce, otherwise known as Ulva spp., growing on its own. Knowing that it was edible, I grabbed a piece of sea lettuce and tasted it out of curiosity. The sea lettuce didn’t have much flavor, differing from the briny taste distinctive in other seaweeds. Although the flavor was subtle, the texture scratched a specific part of my brain that I did not know existed. The sea lettuce’s texture was thin and delicate, and it reminded me of eating a photography film. It’s an odd description for sea lettuce’s texture, but it worked for me and this revelation has stuck ever since.
So, what is sea lettuce? Ulva spp. is a bright green marine algae found along coastlines worldwide, including California. Sea lettuce is one of the most widespread green seaweeds, thriving in both rocky intertidal zones and brackish estuaries. Despite its abundance, many walk past this seaweed without much thought.
Interestingly, humans have eaten sea lettuce for centuries. With plenty of sea lettuce growing in accessible areas, people often forage it along the coast. It’s common in East Asian, British, and Scandinavian cuisines, typically eaten in soups, salads, and used as a garnish. Sea lettuce is also highly nutritious with numerous health benefits, boasting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also high in protein, iron, fiber, and vitamins A and C. For sea lettuce being so overlooked in the United States, it has fed global communities throughout time.
Despite its benefits, there are mixed feelings on sea lettuce. In some coastal areas, sea lettuce blooms can rapidly grow, forming thick mats along the water’s surface. These algae blooms deplete oxygen levels in water and create dead zones, suffocating marine life. For many, sea lettuce is associated with problematic algae blooms rather than something appetizing. That perspective is difficult to change, even when the same algae causing issues in polluted waters are perfectly edible in clean waters. Given the right conditions and environment, sea lettuce can write an entirely different story.
That different story is already being written in California. There are efforts in researching the possibility of growing sea lettuce as a cultivated crop in aquaculture. One approach is through integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), where multiple species are farmed together to represent natural ecosystems. Sea lettuce can absorb excess nutrients released by fish and shellfish, acting as a natural water filter.
Cultivated sea lettuce also has potential as a sustainable food source and ingredient in aquaculture feed. Replacing conventional feed ingredients with locally-sourced sea lettuce could reduce the environmental footprint of aquaculture operations in California. A few California farms and research institutions have been exploring this opportunity, such as Sunken Seaweed and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories. With the continuously growing interest in seaweed aquaculture, sea lettuce is becoming difficult to ignore.
Sea lettuce has always been present, quietly growing all over the coast of California. Considering its nutritional value, culinary uses, and position in sustainable aquaculture operations, sea lettuce deserves more than a passing glance.
Sometimes the most overlooked things deserve a bit more attention. All it takes is grabbing a piece from a tank and giving it a try.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Key Findings: Preference and Sustainability
The study, which surveyed 3,000 Canadians, used a five-point scale to measure the tendency to choose wild-caught over farmed fish.
- No Growth in Bias: The average score for Spring 2026 was 3.29, identical to the Spring 2025 result. This indicates that consumers only “sometimes” favor wild fish, with no strengthening of that preference over the last year.
- High Acceptance: Previous data from Dalhousie’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab shows that 80% of Canadians eat salmon. A majority now view aquaculture as a sustainable method for food production.
- Regional Support: In Atlantic Canada, support for the aquaculture industry has surged to 85%, suggesting that communities closely tied to the sector are less influenced by anti-farming rhetoric.
Economic and Political Context
The report arrives as industry leaders and First Nations partners urge the Mark Carney government to reverse a Trudeau-era ban on ocean salmon farming in British Columbia. Critics, including Dr. Sylvain Charlebois (Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab), argue the ban is “driven by activism rather than science.”
Potential Economic Impact of the Phaseout:
- Annual Loss: $1.17 billion in economic activity.
- GDP Decline: $435 million.
- Job Losses: 4,560 positions.
- Taxpayer Burden: Up to $9 billion in potential compensation and transition subsidies.
“It doesn’t make any logical sense… It will increase the carbon footprint of Canada’s food production sector and lead to higher salmon prices.” – Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Financial Strain: The report highlights a growing struggle with food costs, noting that 34% of respondents had to use savings or borrow money to afford groceries in the past year. Despite this, trust in food institutions remains high, with Health Canada (3.89/5) and Canadian farmers (3.86/5) leading in public confidence.
]]>A national report released in April 2025 by the Maine Aquaculture Association (MAA) provides a roadmap for bridging this gap. Titled “Seaweed Consumer Preferences in the U.S.,” the study analyzes data from over 2,000 respondents to determine exactly who wants to eat seaweed, how they want it prepared, and what triggers a purchase.
The “Gateway” Strategy: Familiarity is King
The report’s most significant finding is a reality check for the industry: while consumers care about health and sustainability, they care about familiarity more.
According to the survey, the highest “willingness to purchase” occurred when seaweed was integrated into foods consumers already know and love. Rather than seeking out raw kelp or exotic preparations, Americans are most interested in “value-added” formats like:
- Seaweed-infused sauces (e.g., Teriyaki or Ranch dressing)
- Savory snacks (e.g., potato chips or tortilla wraps dusted with seaweed)
- Ready-to-eat meals (e.g., ready-made soups)
“The survey found that products where seaweed is added to a food that the consumer already likes draw the strongest interest,” noted Christian Brayden, MAA Project Manager and lead author of the study. This suggests that the path to market expansion lies in seaweed acting as a “stealth” superfood ingredient rather than a standalone vegetable.
The Demographic Shift: Target Under 45
The data reveals a clear generational divide. Consumers under the age of 45 show a significantly higher intent to purchase seaweed products than older demographics. Specifically, respondents aged 18–34 expressed the strongest interest.
For producers, this highlights a clear marketing target: younger, adventurous eaters who prioritize convenience and “snackable” formats. Interestingly, the report also found that men showed a slightly stronger likelihood to purchase seaweed products than women.
Beyond Health: What Motivates the Buyer?
While seaweed is often marketed for its health benefits (iodine, antioxidants, and fiber), the report ranks this as the third most important factor for consumers. The hierarchy of consumer motivation discovered in the study is:
- Liking the base product (e.g., “I already like potato chips”)
- Convenience (Ready-to-eat/Ready-to-use)
- Health benefits
- Environmental sustainability
This suggests that marketing campaigns focusing solely on “saving the ocean” or “superfood nutrients” may miss the mark if they don’t first emphasize that the product tastes great and fits into a busy lifestyle.
Breaking the Barriers: The “Try Before You Buy” Factor
The report identifies a major hurdle: roughly half of the respondents had never tried seaweed. While many expressed interest, they were hesitant to spend their grocery budget on an unknown flavor.
The MAA recommends that brands utilize free sampling and “low-stakes” entry points. Because seaweed is an “experiential” food, a single positive tasting experience – at a farmers’ market, a festival like Maine Seaweed Week, or through a grocery store sample – dramatically increases the likelihood of a future purchase.
Conclusion: A Growing Opportunity
The Maine seaweed sector has grown exponentially over the last decade, but this report signals a shift from a production-driven industry to a consumer-driven one. By focusing on familiar formats, targeting younger demographics, and emphasizing taste and convenience over pure “green” credentials, Maine’s kelp farmers can move seaweed from a niche health food store item to a staple of the American pantry.
As the report concludes: with the right strategies, seaweed is poised to go from an “alternative” ingredient to a mainstream favorite, supporting both coastal economies and a more sustainable food system.
]]>Aquaculture in California has a visibility challenge, but it is one that can be solved.
Today, most operations are not open to the public. There are few structured opportunities for people to visit farms, understand production, or engage directly with the industry. As a result, aquaculture remains largely outside of the public’s understanding of agriculture in this state.
But what if that changed?
What if:
- Farms could participate in guided tours or open days
- Educational pathways connected directly with real-world operations
- Storytelling platforms highlighted farms, species, and people
- The public could see, explore, and appreciate aquaculture firsthand
Through initiatives like America’s Blue Highway Tour, this visibility is beginning to take shape one visit, one story, one connection at a time.
The opportunity now is to build on that momentum within California.
To create:
- Greater exposure
- Stronger collaboration
- A clearer identity for aquaculture as part of the state’s agricultural fabric
And to answer the bigger questions together:
Where are we aligned?
Where are we divided?
And how do we move forward as a unified industry?
Because the potential is here.
The production is here.
The innovation is here.
The people are here.
Now it’s about bringing it all into view.
]]>Aquaculture in California has a visibility challenge, but it is one that can be solved.
Today, most operations are not open to the public. There are few structured opportunities for people to visit farms, understand production, or engage directly with the industry. As a result, aquaculture remains largely outside of the public’s understanding of agriculture in this state.
But what if that changed?
What if:
- Farms could participate in guided tours or open days
- Educational pathways connected directly with real-world operations
- Storytelling platforms highlighted farms, species, and people
- The public could see, explore, and appreciate aquaculture firsthand
Through initiatives like America’s Blue Highway Tour, this visibility is beginning to take shape one visit, one story, one connection at a time.
The opportunity now is to build on that momentum within California.
To create:
- Greater exposure
- Stronger collaboration
- A clearer identity for aquaculture as part of the state’s agricultural fabric
And to answer the bigger questions together:
Where are we aligned?
Where are we divided?
And how do we move forward as a unified industry?
Because the potential is here.
The production is here.
The innovation is here.
The people are here.
Now it’s about bringing it all into view.
]]>The crisp morning air smelled slightly briny as I walked through the Santa Barbara Harbor. Seabirds glided through the sky in search of their next meal, and seeing the rows of sailboats evoked a peaceful feeling. But I came to the harbor in search of something specific.
This was also a Saturday morning, which means the Fishermen’s Market is happening on the harbor. I approached a tent selling live sea urchins, where I was told the sea urchins from Santa Barbara were exceptionally delicious. Curious, I went to try them for myself.
I bought a single urchin. Served on a paper tray, the urchin was cracked in half and ready to eat. The gold-colored uni lined the inside of the exoskeleton, and long spikes covered the outside. It was a bit intimidating at first—it’s not often I come across a spiky sea urchin. I delicately dug my spoon into the urchin, scooping up a portion of uni, which I then placed in my mouth, unsure what to expect.
It was absolutely delicious. Santa Barbara’s uni was like nothing I had ever tasted. This soft, delicate gonad was rich and creamy. The taste was briny, yet sweet and umami. The uni melted on my tongue, coating my taste buds with this exquisite flavor. I have been an avid enjoyer of uni since then.
So, what is uni? Essentially, it’s the gonads of sea urchins. Urchins don’t have much in them, so they’re only sought after for their gonads. For those who don’t know what a sea urchin is, they’re herbivorous marine invertebrates covered all over in spikes that graze on algae in kelp forests. They’re related to sea stars and sand dollars. It makes me wonder how uni was found—who in their right mind cracked open this spiky animal and thought that this yellow clump was good to eat? And yet, here we are, grateful for whoever was brave enough to find out.
In recent years, purple sea urchins have been problematic for kelp forests. With the combination of marine heatwaves and loss of natural predators (e.g., sea otters, sea stars, and large fish), it was inevitable that the sea urchin population would rapidly increase. Urchins relentlessly graze along the seafloor for algae with an endless appetite. Sea urchins will continue to feed on algae until there is none left to eat, and they will not die from starvation. Instead, they will enter a zombie-like state, surviving for years without any food available.
Kelp forests are important ecosystems, supporting vast marine biodiversity and fisheries targeting species residing in this habitat. So, how can we help control the urchin population so they don’t wreak havoc on the kelp forests? One answer: by eating them.
Currently, the only way for sea urchins to be harvested is through diving or foraging. This is also part of why uni is sold at a premium price. They’re primarily hand-picked, as it’s not possible to reel them out of the water, so they are labor-intensive to harvest.
That said, aquaculture has been helping to address the purple sea urchin issue. A few farms have turned to sea urchin ranching. Urchin ranching is where divers harvest an abundance of starved urchins from the ocean and place them in a controlled land-based facility. There, sea urchins are fed a constant supply of kelp until they develop high-quality uni. It’s similar to a livestock farmer having their cattle graze on fresh, premium grass until they’re ready to be processed for meat.
Though urchin ranching is not an overarching solution to the zombie urchin crisis, it is a method that benefits many who are involved in the process. Sea urchin divers profit from their harvested urchins. Aquaculture farms earn income from selling their ranch-raised urchins. Consumers receive a sustainably-sourced, high-quality product. And, most importantly, the kelp forests have an opportunity to recover with fewer urchins present. There is no reason not to eat sea urchin if you have the means to.
Sea urchins are seen as the destroyer of kelp forests. But we have to remind ourselves that urchins have always been residents of kelp forests, and natural predators have kept their numbers in check until there were none present. You can support your kelp forests by eating locally sourced sea urchins. The same animal causing the problem might be part of the solution. It might also be your next delicious meal.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>
Photo by Briana Le
The crisp morning air smelled slightly briny as I walked through the Santa Barbara Harbor. Seabirds glided through the sky in search of their next meal, and seeing the rows of sailboats evoked a peaceful feeling. But I came to the harbor in search of something specific.
This was also a Saturday morning, which means the Fishermen’s Market is happening on the harbor. I approached a tent selling live sea urchins, where I was told the sea urchins from Santa Barbara were exceptionally delicious. Curious, I went to try them for myself.
I bought a single urchin. Served on a paper tray, the urchin was cracked in half and ready to eat. The gold-colored uni lined the inside of the exoskeleton, and long spikes covered the outside. It was a bit intimidating at first—it’s not often I come across a spiky sea urchin. I delicately dug my spoon into the urchin, scooping up a portion of uni, which I then placed in my mouth, unsure what to expect.
It was absolutely delicious. Santa Barbara’s uni was like nothing I had ever tasted. This soft, delicate gonad was rich and creamy. The taste was briny, yet sweet and umami. The uni melted on my tongue, coating my taste buds with this exquisite flavor. I have been an avid enjoyer of uni since then.
So, what is uni? Essentially, it’s the gonads of sea urchins. Urchins don’t have much in them, so they’re only sought after for their gonads. For those who don’t know what a sea urchin is, they’re herbivorous marine invertebrates covered all over in spikes that graze on algae in kelp forests. They’re related to sea stars and sand dollars. It makes me wonder how uni was found—who in their right mind cracked open this spiky animal and thought that this yellow clump was good to eat? And yet, here we are, grateful for whoever was brave enough to find out.
In recent years, purple sea urchins have been problematic for kelp forests. With the combination of marine heatwaves and loss of natural predators (e.g., sea otters, sea stars, and large fish), it was inevitable that the sea urchin population would rapidly increase. Urchins relentlessly graze along the seafloor for algae with an endless appetite. Sea urchins will continue to feed on algae until there is none left to eat, and they will not die from starvation. Instead, they will enter a zombie-like state, surviving for years without any food available.
Kelp forests are important ecosystems, supporting vast marine biodiversity and fisheries targeting species residing in this habitat. So, how can we help control the urchin population so they don’t wreak havoc on the kelp forests? One answer: by eating them.
Currently, the only way for sea urchins to be harvested is through diving or foraging. This is also part of why uni is sold at a premium price. They’re primarily hand-picked, as it’s not possible to reel them out of the water, so they are labor-intensive to harvest.
That said, aquaculture has been helping to address the purple sea urchin issue. A few farms have turned to sea urchin ranching. Urchin ranching is where divers harvest an abundance of starved urchins from the ocean and place them in a controlled land-based facility. There, sea urchins are fed a constant supply of kelp until they develop high-quality uni. It’s similar to a livestock farmer having their cattle graze on fresh, premium grass until they’re ready to be processed for meat.
Though urchin ranching is not an overarching solution to the zombie urchin crisis, it is a method that benefits many who are involved in the process. Sea urchin divers profit from their harvested urchins. Aquaculture farms earn income from selling their ranch-raised urchins. Consumers receive a sustainably-sourced, high-quality product. And, most importantly, the kelp forests have an opportunity to recover with fewer urchins present. There is no reason not to eat sea urchin if you have the means to.
Sea urchins are seen as the destroyer of kelp forests. But we have to remind ourselves that urchins have always been residents of kelp forests, and natural predators have kept their numbers in check until there were none present. You can support your kelp forests by eating locally sourced sea urchins. The same animal causing the problem might be part of the solution. It might also be your next delicious meal.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Every industry is ultimately defined by its people.
In aquaculture, that includes the individuals managing broodstock, monitoring water quality, maintaining systems, leading operations, navigating compliance, and building businesses from the ground up. It includes researchers, educators, and organizations working to support and strengthen the sector.
But as the industry looks ahead, an important question emerges:
Where will the next generation of leaders come from?
Aquaculture education today exists across universities, technical programs, and hands-on training environments. But awareness remains limited. Many young professionals do not see a clear pathway into the industry. Others begin with interest in marine science or biology, only to move into adjacent fields due to lack of visibility or opportunity.
At the same time, there are organizations like the California Aquaculture Association and others working to lift the industry, support professionals, and create connections across the sector.
There is common ground here.
We to:
- Build awareness
- Strengthen career pathways
- Support workforce development
- Elevate leadership at every level
And perhaps most importantly – create a more unified voice.
Because while there may be differences across species, systems, and approaches, the future of aquaculture in California depends on collaboration, not division.
Interested in careers, mentorship, or leadership in aquaculture? Join CAA and connect with the people shaping the industry.
]]>California Sea Grant is now soliciting applications for the 2027 State Fellowship Program. The State Fellowship Program provides a unique educational opportunity for recent graduate students who are interested in marine, coastal and/or watershed resources and in the decisions affecting those resources in California.
This highly competitive program matches recent graduate students with hosts in state, federal or municipal agencies in California for a 12-month paid fellowship. Fellows have the opportunity to apply their skills and expertise to real-world problems while gaining hands-on experience in resource management and government.
Alumni of the program have gone on to successful careers in a variety of sectors, including consulting, private companies, government, science and nonprofits.
Informational Webinar: Wednesday, May 14, 2026 12:00 – 2:00 PM PT
Please join us for an optional informational webinar about this fellowship program, which will include a segment on application tips. This Zoom presentation will be recorded and made available after the webinar. Register Here.
]]>Tinned fish is enjoyed by many, some more than others. For my grandmother, it was just another meal. She would open a can of sardines packed in tomato sauce, pour out the contents into a small skillet, and heat it on low. She ate the warm sardines with a small cup of white rice and moved on with her day. It was simple and filling. For her generation, tinned fish was appreciated for its affordability, high protein content, and long shelf life. It was and still is an ideal food item for the home pantry.
Today, the sentiment towards tinned fish has changed in terms of design and price. Canned fish is still a pantry staple for many, but it has shifted from a budget-friendly food to a high-cost delicacy. If you were to walk into a specialty grocery store, you’d likely see a section of tinned seafood nicely arranged. Most tins are packaged in small boxes with visually appealing designs, often sustainably labeled. The average price on most tins ranges from $6 to $10. If you were to look at more gourmet options, the price can easily exceed $20. For the cost of one 4-oz gourmet fish tin, you could get a whole fresh fish from a fish market for less.
How did we get here? A few factors could have contributed to this. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people could not leave their homes due to the mandated quarantine. Grocery runs became strategic as people paid more attention to what they purchased and consumed. People also had more free time, which was often spent online, scrolling through social media. This shelf-stable and delicious item became cherished by a new audience. From short-form content of people enjoying elaborate charcuterie boards featuring tinned fish, to brands marketing their products in ways that appeal to a younger audience, its rise in popularity was inevitable.
Sustainability also influenced this movement. Individuals are now more aware of how their choices affect the Earth, influencing their desire to make sustainable choices whenever feasible. Tinned fish are highly regarded as a sustainable source of seafood. Eating smaller forage fish, such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, is a smart seafood choice. They have a low carbon footprint, have low mercury levels, and are highly nutritious. Consumers can feel good about their purchase, knowing that they made a sustainable and healthy choice.
That’s not to say all tinned fish are created equal. Some of the high prices are justified due to the labor-intensive process of packing fish into small cans. Each fish is handled with care and is carefully selected for quality before being sold to consumers. Also, importing European brands that take pride in their artisanal tinned fish production will be expensive regardless of the strategies they use.
Effective marketing has also driven up the costs. These cans are perceived as exclusive due to their luxury packaging and advertising, increasing costs without adding more fish. When the price difference between two products is influenced by the label design and advertisement, it’s worth taking a moment to think whether the price is justified for what you’re buying. The high costs also create an accessibility issue, where people who once relied on tinned fish are now unable to afford them. Affordable canned fish still exist, but the cultural conversation regarding tinned fish now centers on wealthier consumers rather than those who actually depend on them for sustenance.
That said, aquaculture can be part of this conversation. An increasing number of brands are packing farmed species, such as mussels, oysters, and salmon, in their cans. Farmed shellfish are an ideal source of sustainable tinned seafood; they’re hand-raised in controlled environments with an eco-friendly approach. For California aquaculture producers, the growing tinned fish market represents an opportunity worth exploring.
California has a small yet committed aquaculture industry, taking pride in farming a variety of species from oysters to trout. These premium, sustainably-raised products are exactly what the tinned fish market wants. For instance, a tin of California farm-raised oysters can take space on the same shelves as expensive imported European tins. With a shorter supply chain, these California tins can have a more affordable price point. Buying locally-sourced California tinned seafood can benefit both consumers and producers. The infrastructure and appetite both exist; it’s just a matter of California producers being able to sell their products in a tin format.
Tinned fish will most likely continue to have a market for its convenience and versatility. How long the current premium association of tinned fish will last is a different question. Trends change as people move on with their interests. What was gourmet today may not be tomorrow.
The can itself was never the problem, and my grandmother can attest to that. A good and simple tin of fish is still one of the more humble meals you can have. If California aquaculture can find its footing in this market by supplying locally farmed seafood, all the better.
The trend may be new. The tin is not.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>Tinned fish is enjoyed by many, some more than others. For my grandmother, it was just another meal. She would open a can of sardines packed in tomato sauce, pour out the contents into a small skillet, and heat it on low. She ate the warm sardines with a small cup of white rice and moved on with her day. It was simple and filling. For her generation, tinned fish was appreciated for its affordability, high protein content, and long shelf life. It was and still is an ideal food item for the home pantry.
Today, the sentiment towards tinned fish has changed in terms of design and price. Canned fish is still a pantry staple for many, but it has shifted from a budget-friendly food to a high-cost delicacy. If you were to walk into a specialty grocery store, you’d likely see a section of tinned seafood nicely arranged. Most tins are packaged in small boxes with visually appealing designs, often sustainably labeled. The average price on most tins ranges from $6 to $10. If you were to look at more gourmet options, the price can easily exceed $20. For the cost of one 4-oz gourmet fish tin, you could get a whole fresh fish from a fish market for less.
How did we get here? A few factors could have contributed to this. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people could not leave their homes due to the mandated quarantine. Grocery runs became strategic as people paid more attention to what they purchased and consumed. People also had more free time, which was often spent online, scrolling through social media. This shelf-stable and delicious item became cherished by a new audience. From short-form content of people enjoying elaborate charcuterie boards featuring tinned fish, to brands marketing their products in ways that appeal to a younger audience, its rise in popularity was inevitable.
Sustainability also influenced this movement. Individuals are now more aware of how their choices affect the Earth, influencing their desire to make sustainable choices whenever feasible. Tinned fish are highly regarded as a sustainable source of seafood. Eating smaller forage fish, such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, is a smart seafood choice. They have a low carbon footprint, have low mercury levels, and are highly nutritious. Consumers can feel good about their purchase, knowing that they made a sustainable and healthy choice.
That’s not to say all tinned fish are created equal. Some of the high prices are justified due to the labor-intensive process of packing fish into small cans. Each fish is handled with care and is carefully selected for quality before being sold to consumers. Also, importing European brands that take pride in their artisanal tinned fish production will be expensive regardless of the strategies they use.
Effective marketing has also driven up the costs. These cans are perceived as exclusive due to their luxury packaging and advertising, increasing costs without adding more fish. When the price difference between two products is influenced by the label design and advertisement, it’s worth taking a moment to think whether the price is justified for what you’re buying. The high costs also create an accessibility issue, where people who once relied on tinned fish are now unable to afford them. Affordable canned fish still exist, but the cultural conversation regarding tinned fish now centers on wealthier consumers rather than those who actually depend on them for sustenance.
That said, aquaculture can be part of this conversation. An increasing number of brands are packing farmed species, such as mussels, oysters, and salmon, in their cans. Farmed shellfish are an ideal source of sustainable tinned seafood; they’re hand-raised in controlled environments with an eco-friendly approach. For California aquaculture producers, the growing tinned fish market represents an opportunity worth exploring.
California has a small yet committed aquaculture industry, taking pride in farming a variety of species from oysters to trout. These premium, sustainably-raised products are exactly what the tinned fish market wants. For instance, a tin of California farm-raised oysters can take space on the same shelves as expensive imported European tins. With a shorter supply chain, these California tins can have a more affordable price point. Buying locally-sourced California tinned seafood can benefit both consumers and producers. The infrastructure and appetite both exist; it’s just a matter of California producers being able to sell their products in a tin format.
Tinned fish will most likely continue to have a market for its convenience and versatility. How long the current premium association of tinned fish will last is a different question. Trends change as people move on with their interests. What was gourmet today may not be tomorrow.
The can itself was never the problem, and my grandmother can attest to that. A good and simple tin of fish is still one of the more humble meals you can have. If California aquaculture can find its footing in this market by supplying locally farmed seafood, all the better.
The trend may be new. The tin is not.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>
Who Is Building This Industry and Who Comes Next?
Every industry is ultimately defined by its people.
In aquaculture, that includes the individuals managing broodstock, monitoring water quality, maintaining systems, leading operations, navigating compliance, and building businesses from the ground up. It includes researchers, educators, and organizations working to support and strengthen the sector.
But as the industry looks ahead, an important question emerges:
Where will the next generation of leaders come from?
Aquaculture education today exists across universities, technical programs, and hands-on training environments. But awareness remains limited. Many young professionals do not see a clear pathway into the industry. Others begin with interest in marine science or biology, only to move into adjacent fields due to lack of visibility or opportunity.
At the same time, there are organizations like the California Aquaculture Association and others working to lift the industry, support professionals, and create connections across the sector.
There is common ground here.
We to:
- Build awareness
- Strengthen career pathways
- Support workforce development
- Elevate leadership at every level
And perhaps most importantly – create a more unified voice.
Because while there may be differences across species, systems, and approaches, the future of aquaculture in California depends on collaboration, not division.
Interested in careers, mentorship, or leadership in aquaculture? Join CAA and connect with the people shaping the industry.
]]>The declaration covers the California counties of Fresno, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Tulare as well as the Arizona county of La Paz, and the Nevada counties of Clark, Esmeralda and Nye.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs — including faith‑based organizations — with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
“Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Dec. 7.
]]>Where California Aquaculture Has Been and Where It’s Going
California has long been a place of innovation in food production, and aquaculture is no exception.
From early coastal shellfish operations to inland trout farms and research-driven hatchery systems, the state has contributed to the development of aquaculture practices that extend far beyond its borders. But like many evolving industries, progress has not always been linear.
There have been moments of growth and moments where complexity, regulation, perception, and fragmentation have slowed momentum.
And yet, here we are.
Today, California aquaculture sits at an intersection of opportunity. Demand for sustainable protein is rising. Technology is advancing. New systems… recirculating aquaculture, integrated multi-trophic systems, algae production…are being explored and refined. The need for domestic food production has never been clearer.
The question is no longer whether aquaculture has a role.
The question is: how big of a role California is willing to play.
There is room here for expansion, for innovation, for new entrants, and for existing operations to grow. But unlocking that potential will require alignment. It will require visibility. And it will require a shared understanding that this industry does not move forward in pieces… it moves forward together.
Be part of shaping what comes next. Connect with CAA and join the conversation around the future of aquaculture in California.
]]>
Where California Aquaculture Has Been and Where It’s Going
California has long been a place of innovation in food production, and aquaculture is no exception.
From early coastal shellfish operations to inland trout farms and research-driven hatchery systems, the state has contributed to the development of aquaculture practices that extend far beyond its borders. But like many evolving industries, progress has not always been linear.
There have been moments of growth and moments where complexity, regulation, perception, and fragmentation have slowed momentum.
And yet, here we are.
Today, California aquaculture sits at an intersection of opportunity. Demand for sustainable protein is rising. Technology is advancing. New systems… recirculating aquaculture, integrated multi-trophic systems, algae production…are being explored and refined. The need for domestic food production has never been clearer.
The question is no longer whether aquaculture has a role.
The question is: how big of a role California is willing to play.
There is room here for expansion, for innovation, for new entrants, and for existing operations to grow. But unlocking that potential will require alignment. It will require visibility. And it will require a shared understanding that this industry does not move forward in pieces… it moves forward together.
Be part of shaping what comes next. Connect with CAA and join the conversation around the future of aquaculture in California.
]]>From 2013 to 2017, the California coast experienced abnormally high sea surface temperatures. This phenomenon, dubbed ‘The Blob,’ had detrimental effects on marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean. Kelp forests were especially vulnerable to the impacts of increasing ocean temperatures, also known as a marine heatwave.
Picture a Jenga tower stabilized and supported by wooden blocks. Each block represents a species responsible for upholding the ecosystem, which in this case is the kelp forests along the California coast. The Blob removed many blocks from the tower, causing it to topple over, and making it difficult for the tower to be restored naturally.
Essentially, the Blob caused a large decline in giant kelp as they cannot tolerate the hotter temperatures. Purple sea urchins could freely graze on kelp as their predator, the sunflower seastar, was wiped out by a sea star wasting disease that was worsened by the heat. These purple sea urchins eventually overgrazed the kelp forests, leaving rocky urchin barrens with no kelp behind. This proved problematic for many marine species residing in kelp forests.
One of those species is the red abalone, a large mollusk or sea snail. Red abalone are prized for their sweet-tasting meat and iridescent shell. They were heavily harvested from kelp forests for decades, with the commercial fishery reaching its peak landings in the 1950s. With the combined effects of The Blob, sea urchin barrens, and overharvesting, the red abalone’s population has rapidly declined. Commercial fishing of red abalone was closed in 1997, and recreational fishing was closed in 2017; the abalone fishery is to remain closed until further notice. So, where does California’s abalone come from now?
This is where aquaculture comes in. Abalone has been farmed in California since the late 1960s. Though farms were already operating, the recent fishery closures have caused a dramatic shift in their importance. A notable land-based operation is The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, CA, known for sustainably hand-raising red abalone.
The Cultured Abalone Farm doesn’t look like much from the outside. However, once inside, a person is met with rows of tanks, each filled with red abalone and fresh, running seawater. These tanks are divided into sections by life stage and size. The operation has a hatchery housing larval abalone, juvenile tanks, and larger grow-out tanks where they slowly grow toward market size.
On feeding days, workers have to haul loads of giant kelp from the back of a truck into a wheelbarrow to distribute the kelp by hand into the tanks. Sticky slime from the kelp would get onto their gloves, shirts, and pants. Finished with feeding the abalone, workers carried the briny smell of kelp for the rest of the day. The animals eat, grow, and are tended to by a small, hard-working crew.
The slowness is a defining reality of abalone farming. Red abalone have a slow growth rate, taking three to four years to reach market size. Each abalone raised is a long-term investment that demands patience, care, and diligence. The result is a premium product, hand-raised and carefully managed from hatchery to harvest.
Not only is farmed abalone filling a market gap, but it’s maintaining a cultural and culinary significance in California during a critical period of wild population recovery. That said, farmed abalone is expensive, which is reflective of the consequences of overharvesting a slow-growing species. Abalone also has deep significance for California coastal communities, especially for Indigenous communities, such as the Chumash and Kumeyaay, who harvested them long before commercial fisheries existed. With no set date for when abalone fisheries reopen, aquaculture’s significance won’t decrease anytime soon. It’s a slow process, but then again, so is raising abalone.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>From 2013 to 2017, the California coast experienced abnormally high sea surface temperatures. This phenomenon, dubbed ‘The Blob,’ had detrimental effects on marine ecosystems in the Pacific Ocean. Kelp forests were especially vulnerable to the impacts of increasing ocean temperatures, also known as a marine heatwave.
Picture a Jenga tower stabilized and supported by wooden blocks. Each block represents a species responsible for upholding the ecosystem, which in this case is the kelp forests along the California coast. The Blob removed many blocks from the tower, causing it to topple over, and making it difficult for the tower to be restored naturally.
Essentially, the Blob caused a large decline in giant kelp as they cannot tolerate the hotter temperatures. Purple sea urchins could freely graze on kelp as their predator, the sunflower seastar, was wiped out by a sea star wasting disease that was worsened by the heat. These purple sea urchins eventually overgrazed the kelp forests, leaving rocky urchin barrens with no kelp behind. This proved problematic for many marine species residing in kelp forests.
One of those species is the red abalone, a large mollusk or sea snail. Red abalone are prized for their sweet-tasting meat and iridescent shell. They were heavily harvested from kelp forests for decades, with the commercial fishery reaching its peak landings in the 1950s. With the combined effects of The Blob, sea urchin barrens, and overharvesting, the red abalone’s population has rapidly declined. Commercial fishing of red abalone was closed in 1997, and recreational fishing was closed in 2017; the abalone fishery is to remain closed until further notice. So, where does California’s abalone come from now?
This is where aquaculture comes in. Abalone has been farmed in California since the late 1960s. Though farms were already operating, the recent fishery closures have caused a dramatic shift in their importance. A notable land-based operation is The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, CA, known for sustainably hand-raising red abalone.
The Cultured Abalone Farm doesn’t look like much from the outside. However, once inside, a person is met with rows of tanks, each filled with red abalone and fresh, running seawater. These tanks are divided into sections by life stage and size. The operation has a hatchery housing larval abalone, juvenile tanks, and larger grow-out tanks where they slowly grow toward market size.
On feeding days, workers have to haul loads of giant kelp from the back of a truck into a wheelbarrow to distribute the kelp by hand into the tanks. Sticky slime from the kelp would get onto their gloves, shirts, and pants. Finished with feeding the abalone, workers carried the briny smell of kelp for the rest of the day. The animals eat, grow, and are tended to by a small, hard-working crew.
The slowness is a defining reality of abalone farming. Red abalone have a slow growth rate, taking three to four years to reach market size. Each abalone raised is a long-term investment that demands patience, care, and diligence. The result is a premium product, hand-raised and carefully managed from hatchery to harvest.
Not only is farmed abalone filling a market gap, but it’s maintaining a cultural and culinary significance in California during a critical period of wild population recovery. That said, farmed abalone is expensive, which is reflective of the consequences of overharvesting a slow-growing species. Abalone also has deep significance for California coastal communities, especially for Indigenous communities, such as the Chumash and Kumeyaay, who harvested them long before commercial fisheries existed. With no set date for when abalone fisheries reopen, aquaculture’s significance won’t decrease anytime soon. It’s a slow process, but then again, so is raising abalone.
#
About the Author
Briana (Bri) Le is a fourth-year Aquatic Biology major and Professional Writing minor at UC Santa Barbara, where she focuses on the Science Communication Track. A first-generation college student and Vietnamese-American, Bri is a member of the McNair and FUERTE fellowships, programs dedicated to helping students from underrepresented backgrounds develop research and professional skills. Her background includes studying the thermal tolerance of juvenile giant kelp under Dr. Halley Froehlich and completing a hands-on internship at The Cultured Abalone Farm in Santa Barbara, where she gained practical experience in land-based farm operations.
Driven by a passion for ‘practical science’, Bri aims to bridge the gap between complex marine research and public understanding. She views aquaculture as a cornerstone of global food security and environmental conservation, yet recognizes that it remains widely misunderstood. Through her work with the California Aquaculture Association, Bri uses her communication skills to demystify the industry and promote diversity, striving to make the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds.
]]>The proposal echoes the administration’s previous attempts to scale back the agency, though a similar request for $1.3 billion in cuts was largely rejected by Congress for the fiscal year 2026.
Key Details of the Proposal:
- Targeting “Green” Programs: The White House budget document specifically targets what it calls “Green New Scam” programs. It argues that NOAA’s educational grants promote “environmental alarm,” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and anti-market sentiments among students.
- Criticism of Partner Organizations: The administration singled out groups like the Ocean Conservancy and One Cool Earth, claiming they push agendas that are detrimental to the American fishing industry.
- Permitting Overhaul: The budget again suggests moving permitting responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) from NOAA to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The administration argues this would reduce “red tape” and allow NOAA to focus strictly on managing commercial and recreational fisheries.
Historical Context and Opposition:
- Past Congressional Rejection: During the FY 2026 budget cycle, while House Republicans initially supported steep cuts, the Senate pushed back. The final compromise reached in January 2026 maintained NOAA Fisheries funding at roughly $1.12 billion, effectively ignoring Trump’s request for a 33% reduction.
- NGO Response: Conservation groups have been quick to condemn the new $1.6 billion proposal. Katherine Tsantiris of the Ocean Conservancy stated that slashing the budget would “disrupt fisheries management and stall ocean research,” ultimately threatening American livelihoods and safety.
- Political Climate: The proposal comes after a turbulent 2025 that saw a federal government shutdown and a battle over “impoundment” – the administration’s attempt to withhold funds already approved by Congress.
While the President’s budget serves as a statement of policy priorities, it now faces a difficult path in Congress, where lawmakers from both parties have previously moved to protect NOAA’s scientific and weather forecasting capabilities.
]]>
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) has reached a historic milestone: the release of its 3 millionth white seabass into the wild.
This achievement marks a significant step in a decades-long conservation journey. Below is a breakdown of the program’s impact and the science behind the release.
The Milestone Release
The ceremonial release took place at the institute’s Carlsbad campus, where former board chair Bill Shedd used a golden net to send the 3 millionth fish through a tube into the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.
While commonly called a “bass,” the white seabass is actually a croaker species native to the West Coast. These fish are vital to the marine ecosystem, typically inhabiting kelp beds and rocky reefs from Alaska down to Baja California.
Restoring a Depleted Species
The program was born out of necessity. Between 1960 and 1980, white seabass populations crashed due to a combination of:
- Overfishing
- Habitat loss
- Climate change
In 1983, a coalition of researchers, state wildlife officials, and recreational fishers joined forces to reverse this trend. The effort has been remarkably successful; today, research suggests that 30% of the wild adult population originated from this replenishment program.
Innovation and Research
The institute currently releases roughly 70,000 fish annually, but the process is as much about data as it is about numbers.
- Acclimation Testing: For this release, researchers bypassed the usual mid-lagoon “seapens” to test new acclimation strategies. By comparing different release methods, they hope to determine which leads to the highest survival rates—even when local pelicans show up looking for an easy meal.
- Tracking Success: Every fish is fitted with a tiny tag in its cheek. Hatchery manager Mariana Kawakami urges anglers to donate the heads of caught seabass so researchers can retrieve these tags.
- Data Points: These tags provide essential “life history” data, including where the fish was raised, how it was released, and its migration patterns.
“Getting to 3 million has taken a fair amount of time… It’s a fishery that has been depleted over time… They play an important role in the ecosystem.” – Mark Drawbridge, HSWRI Sustainable Seafood Program Director & CAA Director
]]>Here is a breakdown of the current situation:
Two years ago, the Newsom administration celebrated a historic effort to return endangered salmon to the cold, ancestral waters of the McCloud River, upstream of Lake Shasta. Today, tribal officials feel abandoned.
The Tribal Perspective
- The “Betrayal”: Gary Mulcahy, the tribe’s government liaison, described the sudden withdrawal of support as a “betrayal,” stating it feels as though the state has simply given up.
- Economic Impact: The end of the grant – totaling roughly $6 million since 2023 – has triggered immediate layoffs and the loss of tribal jobs intended for long-term restoration.
The State’s Defense
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) maintains that the funding was never permanent.
- A “Pilot” Program: Spokesperson Stephen Gonzalez explained that the funds were one-time allocations tied to drought response, designed to test tools rather than provide permanent support.
- Budget Depletion: The state claims the allocated funds have simply been exhausted, despite recent announcements of $10 million for broader salmon projects elsewhere.
The Ecological Stakes
The Sacramento River’s winter-run Chinook are among the most endangered species in the country.
- The Trap: Dams have blocked the fish from high-elevation cold water for 80 years, forcing them to spawn in lower, warmer waters where their eggs frequently “cook.”
- The Solution Interrupted: For a brief window, eggs were successfully relocated to the McCloud River, where they hatched and began their migration. Without funding to transport more eggs this year, that progress stops.
- Genetic Diversity: The funding loss also halts the tribe’s ambitious plan to bring the wild descendants of McCloud salmon back from New Zealand to revitalize the California population’s DNA.
A Crisis of Trust
Beyond the science, researchers like Carson Jeffres of UC Davis warn that “pulling the rug out” from under the tribe causes irreparable damage to professional and cultural relationships.
While state officials call the pilot a success for establishing a “foundation,” the Winnemem Wintu are left with “bare-bones staff” and a dimming hope that their sacred fish will ever truly return home.
]]>
Boots on the Ground in California Aquaculture
There is a side of California agriculture that most people never see.
It doesn’t stretch across vineyards or orchards. It doesn’t sit along highways with roadside stands or open gates. It exists along coastlines, tucked into bays, moving quietly through inland systems, hatcheries, and controlled environments; out of sight, but deeply connected to the food systems that feed this state and beyond.
This is aquaculture in California.
And it is being built every day by people who show up early, stay late, and work in environments that demand precision, adaptability, and care. These are farmers. Scientists. Technicians. Operators. Families. Teams. They are raising oysters, mussels, trout, tilapia, catfish, sturgeon, algae, kelp and emerging species that represent the future of food production.
This is not experimental work. It is operational. It is essential. And it is happening now.
Yet, unlike many other sectors of agriculture, aquaculture remains largely unseen by the public. There are few opportunities for people to visit farms, to understand the systems, or to connect the food on their plate to the process behind it.
That gap matters.
Because when people cannot see something, they often cannot value it.
Through efforts like America’s Blue Highway Tour, we are beginning to change that bringing visibility to the people, places, and practices that define aquatic food production across the country. And here in California, the opportunity is clear: to bring this work into view, to tell the stories of the people behind it, and to recognize aquaculture as a vital part of the state’s agricultural identity.
This is where the conversation begins.
Follow along as we explore California aquaculture…its people, its production, and its future.
Join the California Aquaculture Association and be part of the story.
There is a side of California agriculture that most people never see.
It doesn’t stretch across vineyards or orchards. It doesn’t sit along highways with roadside stands or open gates. It exists along coastlines, tucked into bays, moving quietly through inland systems, hatcheries, and controlled environments; out of sight, but deeply connected to the food systems that feed this state and beyond.
This is aquaculture in California.
And it is being built every day by people who show up early, stay late, and work in environments that demand precision, adaptability, and care. These are farmers. Scientists. Technicians. Operators. Families. Teams. They are raising oysters, mussels, trout, tilapia, catfish, sturgeon, algae, kelp and emerging species that represent the future of food production.
This is not experimental work. It is operational. It is essential. And it is happening now.
Yet, unlike many other sectors of agriculture, aquaculture remains largely unseen by the public. There are few opportunities for people to visit farms, to understand the systems, or to connect the food on their plate to the process behind it.
That gap matters.
Because when people cannot see something, they often cannot value it.
Through efforts like America’s Blue Highway Tour, we are beginning to change that bringing visibility to the people, places, and practices that define aquatic food production across the country. And here in California, the opportunity is clear: to bring this work into view, to tell the stories of the people behind it, and to recognize aquaculture as a vital part of the state’s agricultural identity.
This is where the conversation begins.
Follow along as we explore California aquaculture…its people, its production, and its future.
Join the California Aquaculture Association and be part of the story.
Despite having a significantly lower environmental footprint than beef or lamb, aquaculture is subject to five times more environmental regulations than those sectors. According to the research team – led by Dr. Margaret Hegwood and including experts from Oxford, UC Santa Barbara, and the University of Helsinki – this “regulatory landscape” is unintentionally stifling the growth of low-impact food production.
The Numbers at a Glance
The study, titled “Aquaculture is subject to more regulations than any other food sector in the United States,” highlights a stark disparity in federal oversight:
- 8x more regulations than terrestrial animal farming.
- 3x more regulations than crop farming.
- 5x more environmental regulations than the beef and lamb sectors.
Why the Disparity?
The researchers identified three primary drivers behind this regulatory bottleneck:
- Framework Confusion: Because aquaculture didn’t fit neatly into traditional farming models, it was often misclassified. For example, fish farms are often treated as “point-source polluters,” while terrestrial farms are not. Even seaweed operations often face fish-level regulations despite being more analogous to crops.
- Agency Overlap: Aquaculture falls under the jurisdiction of more federal agencies than any other food sector, with “little coordination” between them.
- Lack of Political Will: While recent initiatives, such as the 2025 executive order on “Seafood Competitiveness,” attempted to lift burdens, researchers noted they lacked the necessary funding and clarity to create meaningful change at the state and local levels.
Leveling the Playing Field
The study arrives at a time of increased advocacy for the industry. Pro-aquaculture groups continue to push for “farmer of the sea” status, seeking the same access to USDA loans and grants enjoyed by land-based producers. A bill was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate to address this specific funding gap.
The researchers conclude that while regulations are vital for public health and safety, the current “poorly designed” implementation excessively burdens the private sector. They suggest that if the U.S. is serious about a sustainable food transition, it must include permitting reform for aquaculture.
“Our analysis suggests that the conversation [on permitting reform] could expand to include food… Subjecting aquaculture to more federal rules than food sectors with higher environmental impacts may be unintentionally disadvantaging businesses and consumers.” – Dr. Margaret Hegwood et al.
As the industry continues to innovate, this data provides a powerful tool for stakeholders to advocate for a more balanced, science-based regulatory approach that recognizes aquaculture’s role in a sustainable future.
]]>While the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week, a staggering 90% of Americans fail to meet this goal. This gap is a missed opportunity for longevity, as seafood is a nutritional powerhouse rich in lean protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids that are vital for heart health and reducing the risk of dementia. For adults over 50, who often struggle to maintain muscle mass, seafood provides an essential, high-quality protein source that is significantly lower in saturated fat than red meat or dairy.
One of the most persistent myths is that wild-caught fish is inherently superior to farmed varieties. In truth, the nutritional differences are minimal. While wild fish are often leaner due to their active lifestyle, farmed fish frequently have a higher content of “healthy” fats because of their nutrient-rich feed. Even the pink hue of farmed salmon, often rumored to be a synthetic dye, comes from astaxanthin – a necessary nutrient that wild salmon get naturally from eating krill. Experts suggest that rather than obsessing over “wild versus farmed,” consumers should focus on sourcing. Choosing domestic U.S. seafood ensures the product was harvested under some of the world’s strictest environmental and safety regulations, regardless of whether it came from a fishery or a farm.
Concerns regarding mercury and other contaminants are also frequently overstated for the average consumer. While certain large species like swordfish or king mackerel do contain higher levels of mercury, the Seafood Nutrition Partnership notes that an individual would have to consume an improbable amount of fish – such as 53 pounds of salmon or 10 pounds of tuna in a single week – to reach risky levels. For the vast majority of people, the cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of seafood far outweigh these minimal risks. The key to a healthy approach is to stay “SAVVy”: prioritize sustainable and varied choices, verify the source of your fish, and ensure it aligns with your specific nutritional needs. By incorporating a mix of oily fish, lean fillets, and iron-rich shellfish, you can safely enjoy the myriad benefits of a seafood-rich diet.
Why Seafood Matters
Seafood is a nutritional powerhouse, offering high-quality lean protein and essential micronutrients like Vitamin D, iron, selenium, and iodine.
- Heart Health: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, seafood reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers saturated fat intake.
- Brain Power: Regular consumption is linked to lower rates of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive decline.
- Longevity: Studies, including those on populations in Japan, suggest a link between seafood-rich diets and a reduced risk of cancer and increased life expectancy.
- Aging Gracefully: For the 1 in 3 adults over 50 who struggle to get enough protein, seafood is essential for maintaining muscle mass.
Wild-Caught vs. Farmed: The Truth
Many consumers worry that farmed fish is “fake” or less nutritious. In reality, the nutritional profiles are remarkably similar.
| Feature | Wild-Caught | Farm-Raised |
| Diet | Foraged plants and smaller fish. | Specially formulated nutrient-rich feed. |
| Fat Content | Leaner due to constant swimming. | Often higher in “healthy” fats (Omega-3s). |
| Nutrients | High in natural minerals. | Comparable levels of vitamins and minerals. |
| Color (Salmon) | Natural pink from eating krill. | Pink from astaxanthin added to feed (a necessary nutrient). |
While the American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week, a staggering 90% of Americans fail to meet this goal. This gap is a missed opportunity for longevity, as seafood is a nutritional powerhouse rich in lean protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids that are vital for heart health and reducing the risk of dementia. For adults over 50, who often struggle to maintain muscle mass, seafood provides an essential, high-quality protein source that is significantly lower in saturated fat than red meat or dairy.
One of the most persistent myths is that wild-caught fish is inherently superior to farmed varieties. In truth, the nutritional differences are minimal. While wild fish are often leaner due to their active lifestyle, farmed fish frequently have a higher content of “healthy” fats because of their nutrient-rich feed. Even the pink hue of farmed salmon, often rumored to be a synthetic dye, comes from astaxanthin – a necessary nutrient that wild salmon get naturally from eating krill. Experts suggest that rather than obsessing over “wild versus farmed,” consumers should focus on sourcing. Choosing domestic U.S. seafood ensures the product was harvested under some of the world’s strictest environmental and safety regulations, regardless of whether it came from a fishery or a farm.
Concerns regarding mercury and other contaminants are also frequently overstated for the average consumer. While certain large species like swordfish or king mackerel do contain higher levels of mercury, the Seafood Nutrition Partnership notes that an individual would have to consume an improbable amount of fish – such as 53 pounds of salmon or 10 pounds of tuna in a single week – to reach risky levels. For the vast majority of people, the cognitive and cardiovascular benefits of seafood far outweigh these minimal risks. The key to a healthy approach is to stay “SAVVy”: prioritize sustainable and varied choices, verify the source of your fish, and ensure it aligns with your specific nutritional needs. By incorporating a mix of oily fish, lean fillets, and iron-rich shellfish, you can safely enjoy the myriad benefits of a seafood-rich diet.
Why Seafood Matters
Seafood is a nutritional powerhouse, offering high-quality lean protein and essential micronutrients like Vitamin D, iron, selenium, and iodine.
- Heart Health: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, seafood reduces the risk of heart disease and lowers saturated fat intake.
- Brain Power: Regular consumption is linked to lower rates of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cognitive decline.
- Longevity: Studies, including those on populations in Japan, suggest a link between seafood-rich diets and a reduced risk of cancer and increased life expectancy.
- Aging Gracefully: For the 1 in 3 adults over 50 who struggle to get enough protein, seafood is essential for maintaining muscle mass.
Wild-Caught vs. Farmed: The Truth
Many consumers worry that farmed fish is “fake” or less nutritious. In reality, the nutritional profiles are remarkably similar.
| Feature | Wild-Caught | Farm-Raised |
| Diet | Foraged plants and smaller fish. | Specially formulated nutrient-rich feed. |
| Fat Content | Leaner due to constant swimming. | Often higher in “healthy” fats (Omega-3s). |
| Nutrients | High in natural minerals. | Comparable levels of vitamins and minerals. |
| Color (Salmon) | Natural pink from eating krill. | Pink from astaxanthin added to feed (a necessary nutrient). |
We are currently reviewing the bill’s language to determine its potential effects on the aquaculture industry, specifically regarding permitting, transport, and stocking protocols. To ensure our advocacy reflects the needs of our diverse membership, we are seeking your professional perspective.
We are specifically looking for feedback on:
- How the proposed requirements would alter your current day-to-day operations.
- Any anticipated fiscal impacts or logistical challenges.
- Suggestions for amendments, if any.
Your expertise is vital in helping us shape a formal response on behalf of the association. Please email your input to the CAA office at your earliest convenience.
View AB 1894 Here
]]>The grants program, Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems, is designed to deploy timely, science-based solutions to protect agricultural productivity, ecosystem health, and food security.
“Invasive and emerging pests and diseases can devastate crops, livestock, and ecosystems, disrupt supply chains and threaten food security,” said NIFA Director Dr. Jaye Hamby. “This program empowers researchers and Extension professionals to act quickly, delivering practical solutions that safeguard our agricultural communities and the nation’s food supply.”
This program is part of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), designed to improve plant and animal production and sustainability, and human and environmental health. AFRI is the nation’s leading and largest competitive grants program for agricultural sciences. These grants are available to eligible colleges, universities, and other research organizations.
With a maximum award of $500,000 and a grant duration of 12 to 24 months, the program supports grants for research, Extension, or integrated projects. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, within 180 days of a qualifying pest or disease event, ensuring swift mobilization of resources when threats arise.
Applications must directly address the effects associated with the emergence or re-emergence within the last 180 days of pests and/or disease in animal and/or plant production systems or within the food supply, and one or more of the following emphasis areas: One Health, plant and animal health, and ecosystem health.
Funded projects will focus on applied research and Extension and outreach activities that generate actionable knowledge and tools. These may include:
- Rapid understanding of pest/pathogen ecology, epidemiology, and immunology.
- Development and validation of diagnostics, vaccines, and control methods.
- Communication strategies, training programs, and best practices for mitigation.
- Technologies and protocols for detection, management, and prevention.
To ensure impact, projects must implement or develop at least one deliverable within six months of award receipt, with all activities completed within the grant period. Proposals are encouraged to integrate biological and social sciences, engage public-private partnerships, and support small- and medium-sized farms and ranches.
“This program reflects USDA’s commitment to proactive, science-driven responses to agricultural threats,” Hamby said. “By supporting rapid innovation and collaboration, we’re helping communities stay resilient in the face of evolving challenges.”
The program also welcomes proposals that address ecosystem health, including strategies to mitigate the environmental impacts of pests and diseases affecting plants, animals, and pollinators. Projects that incorporate community development, youth development, and 4-H are also eligible, provided they align with the program’s emphasis areas.
Applicants are encouraged to coordinate efforts across institutions and regions, and to contact program staff at afri-rapidresponse@usda.gov with questions regarding project fit. While this program is designed for short-term, rapid response efforts, longer-term projects may be better suited for other AFRI program area priorities such as Agricultural Biosecurity, Diseases of Agricultural Animals, or Food Safety and Defense.
For more information, visit nifa.usda.gov or email afri-rapidresponse@usda.gov.
CAA members seeking grant collaboration and support are encouraged to contact our officer at caaquaculture@gmail.com.
Below are the key findings and arguments presented in the SeaWestNews report:
High Support in Atlantic Canada
A new survey by Narrative Research Associates reveals that Atlantic Canadians increasingly view aquaculture as a vital pillar of their economy and food security.
- Widespread Approval: Support for the industry reached 85% overall, with the highest levels in Prince Edward Island (93%) and New Brunswick (87%).
- Economic & Social Value: 88% of respondents believe salmon farming provides essential employment, and 83% view it as a form of farming no different from traditional agriculture on land.
- Sustainable Protein: 82% of those surveyed see farm-raised salmon as a reliable and sustainable source of protein.
The B.C. Disconnect
The report contrasts this regional success with the situation in British Columbia, where the federal government plans to phase out ocean-based salmon farming by 2029.
- Policy vs. Science: Industry advocates argue that the B.C. ban is driven by political ideology rather than scientific evidence. They point out that federal scientists (DFO) have consistently found that salmon farms pose “minimal risk” to wild stocks.
- Economic Impact: The phase-out threatens roughly 4,500 jobs, many of which are held by Indigenous workers in coastal communities.
- Production Collapse: Since 2015, B.C.’s farm-raised salmon output has dropped by over 40%.
The “Market Irony”
The article highlights a growing irony in Canadian grocery stores: while domestic production is being curtailed, salmon consumption remains high.
- Rising Imports: To meet demand, Canada’s salmon imports have more than doubled, reaching approximately $700 million annually.
- Sustainability Gap: Critics note the environmental contradiction of flying in farmed salmon from Chile or Norway to B.C. – one of the world’s premier salmon-producing regions – while local farms are shuttered.
- Trade Balance: Industry leaders suggest that these policies undermine Canada’s trade balance and economic sovereignty, forcing the country to rely on global competitors for its most popular seafood.
Conclusion
The survey suggests that when coastal communities are closely integrated with the aquaculture industry – as they are in Atlantic Canada – they recognize its benefits for rural jobs and food security. In contrast, the report portrays B.C. as a victim of a “policy disconnect” that sidelines local producers in favor of expensive imports.
]]>Farm Bill Update: Strong Provisions for U.S. Aquaculture
Congress is currently developing the next federal Farm Bill through the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, which includes several provisions aimed at strengthening aquaculture’s role within federal agriculture policy. Included within this 2026 bill is the Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood (SEAS) Act, originally introduced by Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) and Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06) to improve federal support for aquaculture and seafood producers.
The NAA has been actively advocating on Capitol Hill to ensure aquaculture remains part of these critical policy discussions. The association is encouraged to see many of the priorities its members have long championed reflected in the legislation now under consideration.
Key focuses and provisions include:
- Fair Access to USDA Programs: A priority the NAA has consistently raised is ensuring producers receive consistent access to federal grants and assistance. The bill directs the USDA to ensure fair consideration for funding and requires additional agency training on aquaculture.
- Research and Risk Management: Provisions include expanded research for shellfish resilience, competitive grants for technologies that reduce pollution and fuel use, and a directive for the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to develop insurance options for aquaculture products.
- Transparency and Coordination: The bill requires the USDA to report annually to Congress on seafood and aquaculture purchases and investments.
- Structural Support: The legislation directs the USDA to develop an Aquaculture Center of Excellence and proposes updates to the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 to identify capital and regulatory barriers.
- Industry Guidance: A 14-member Aquaculture Advisory Committee would be established to provide the Secretary of Agriculture with industry guidance.
The NAA will continue working with policymakers to ensure the final legislation reflects the needs of aquaculture producers across the United States.
State Policy Watch: Protecting the Live Bait Fish Industry
The NAA is also monitoring state legislation that could impact aquaculture producers supplying live bait to recreational fishing markets. Specifically, New York Assembly Bill A03330 proposes prohibiting the importation of live bait fish into the state and establishing penalties for violations.
While this is currently the only active bill of its kind the NAA is tracking, similar proposals have surfaced in several states in recent years. The NAA has successfully pushed back against a number of these efforts and continues working with industry partners to ensure policy discussions are grounded in sound science and recognize the role of responsible aquaculture in supporting recreational fisheries.
Monitoring CDC Investigation Related to Oysters
The NAA continues to monitor the CDC’s investigation into a reported salmonella outbreak associated with raw oysters. Since the issue emerged in December, the NAA has been engaged with industry partners, regulators, and federal agencies to ensure the perspectives of shellfish growers are represented.
The association remains committed to ensuring that discussions related to public health and seafood safety are informed by a clear understanding of aquaculture production practices.
Aquaculture America 2026: Strong Engagement
Aquaculture America 2026 brought together producers, researchers, suppliers, and policymakers, and the NAA helped shape several well-attended sessions focused on the future of the industry.
- Federal Agency Updates: The NAA organized sessions featuring speakers from NOAA, the USDA, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regarding research, farm programs, and regulatory developments.
- “Pond to Policy” Track: This communications and advocacy track focused on strengthening the industry’s voice in public discussions.
- Expert Presentations: Maria Smithson, NAA’s Director of Membership & Marketing, presented two sessions on the power of PR in aquaculture and strategies for responding to anti-aquaculture activism using fact and science.
Record-Breaking Success at the NAA Annual Auction
A highlight of the event was the NAA Annual Auction, which proved to be the most successful in the association’s history. Thanks to the generosity of donors and the participation of bidders, the evening served as an energetic celebration of the aquaculture community while achieving record-breaking results.
]]>The Knauss Fellowship, sponsored by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program, provides a unique educational experience for highly qualified graduate and post-graduate students interested in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and the national policy decisions that affect them.
This paid, one-year program places fellows in legislative and executive branch offices in the Washington, D.C. area, where they gain hands-on experience in federal policy and decision-making while contributing their scientific expertise to inform policy development and management. Fellows work alongside policymakers, develop professional networks and build skills in communication, leadership and science policy. Alumni of the program have gone on to build successful careers across a wide range of sectors, including government, academia, consulting, private industry and nonprofit organizations, often continuing to bridge the gap between science and policy.
Interested students in California can visit California Sea Grant’s website for more information on eligibility and how to submit an application.
]]>Recent studies indicate that while insects are highly efficient at converting organic waste into protein, the “unpackaging” process of food waste often leaves behind microplastic residues. Research highlights:
- Ingestion vs. Accumulation: Insects can ingest microplastics from their substrate, but many species appear to excrete a significant portion, suggesting they don’t always “bioaccumulate” at high rates.
- Consumer Perception: A recent study in Singapore found that while consumers support sustainable feed, they are wary of “post-consumer” food waste due to concerns over microplastics and cleanliness.
- The Path Forward: To make insect-fed fish a market reality, we must refine the “de-packaging” technology and ensure rigorous testing for microplastic content to build consumer trust.
Read More
]]>A newly released resource, the “Aquaculture in the Classroom Planning Guide,” aims to change that. Developed through a collaboration between Maryland Sea Grant, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), and NOAA under the eeBLUE initiative, this comprehensive 44-page manual is designed to help teachers navigate the complexities of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) without needing an engineering degree.
Focusing on the “Getting Started” Phase
While many resources exist for troubleshooting water quality or fish health once a system is running, educators often struggle with the initial planning and “buy-in” phases. The guide addresses these specific gaps by providing:
- Facility Requirements: Practical checklists for electricity, plumbing, and space considerations.
- System Selection: Guidance on choosing between modular kits or DIY designs based on educational goals.
- Sustainability & Budgeting: Strategies for securing long-term funding and community partnerships to ensure the program survives beyond the first year.
- Career Pathways: Methods to connect classroom lessons to real-world opportunities in biology, chemistry, and trade industries.
Why It Matters for the Industry
For industry stakeholders, this guide represents more than just a teaching tool; it is a workforce development engine. By standardizing the approach to classroom aquaculture, the program fosters a “Blue Economy” mindset in students, preparing the next generation of technicians, scientists, and informed consumers.
The guide is part of a larger effort by the eeBLUE Aquaculture Literacy Mini-Grants Program, which has funded nearly 20 projects nationwide since 2020 to connect science and tradition with modern food production.
The full “Aquaculture in the Classroom Planning Guide” is available for download here.
This video below provides a visual overview and expert insights into how aquaculture programs are successfully integrated into school environments.
The project, known as the “Bridge Group Project,” introduces juvenile salmon from the Coleman National Fish Hatchery into large, predator-protected net pens within the Tehama-Colusa Canal Forebay in Red Bluff…
]]>From restorative urchin ranching to the cutting edge of AI-driven hatcheries, our sessions didn’t just highlight where California aquaculture is today – they defined where we are going.
Morning Sessions: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
The day kicked off with a “California Aquaculture Flyover” led by Tony Vaught, setting the stage for a series of deep dives into the state’s unique landscape. Our morning presenters addressed the core question: What opportunities exist in California, and what challenges lie ahead?
Highlights included:
- Innovation in Restoration: Peter Struffeneger (Pacific Plaza Imports) shared insights into purple sea urchin ranching, illustrating how aquaculture can solve ecological crises while creating commercial value.
- Tribal Sovereignty and Resilience: Daniel Swezey (Kashia Band of Pomo Indians) presented a moving and practical look at tribal aquaculture as a path for recovery and cultural resilience.
- The Tech Frontier: Paul Grech (OctaPulse) demonstrated how AI vision is revolutionizing hatcheries, while Bill Keleher and Lori Gustafson (USDA APHIS) discussed the vital role of aquatic health and “disease freedom” claims in securing our industry’s growth.
- Public Sentiment: Devin Fitzgerald (California Sea Grant) shared results from a 2025 survey, providing a clear-eyed look at how Californians perceive aquaculture and what we must do to build lasting public trust.
The Afternoon Roundtable: From Research to Reality
In the afternoon, the focus shifted from “what we know” to “why aren’t we scaling?” moderated by Kathleen Hartman and Megan Sorby. This “Research to Reality” roundtable brought producers, lenders, and policymakers to the same table.
The consensus was clear: Proactive collaboration is the key to unlocking U.S. sector growth. While the U.S. has decades of groundbreaking research, commercial production has remained largely flat. The discussion tackled the “hard questions” regarding private sector needs – specifically permitting reform, risk-sharing programs, and the financing mechanisms required to convert public investment into measurable increases in seafood production.
Key Takeaways: A Call to Action
The recurring theme of the conference, echoed by leaders across the country, is that the U.S. aquaculture sector must move beyond silos. To compete globally and meet California’s aggressive climate and food security goals, we must:
- Bridge the Gap: Integrate research directly into the field, as Jesse Trushenski (Riverence) emphasized.
- Tell Our Story: Use transparent, data-driven storytelling to bridge the “trust gap” with consumers.
- Advocate for Policy Reform: Move toward a regulatory environment that recognizes aquaculture as a solution for climate change and economic development.
Seeing our members, partners, and colleagues engage so passionately in Las Vegas was a testament to the strength of our community. We are not just farmers and scientists; we are pioneers building a sustainable food system for the 21st century.
As we return to our farms and offices, let’s carry this momentum forward. The roadmap for California’s aquaculture growth is clearer than ever – now, it’s time to build.
For a full list of session abstracts and more photos from the event, visit our website at caaquaculture.org.
]]>From restorative urchin ranching to the cutting edge of AI-driven hatcheries, our sessions didn’t just highlight where California aquaculture is today – they defined where we are going.
Morning Sessions: Navigating Challenges, Seizing Opportunities
The day kicked off with a “California Aquaculture Flyover” led by Tony Vaught, setting the stage for a series of deep dives into the state’s unique landscape. Our morning presenters addressed the core question: What opportunities exist in California, and what challenges lie ahead?
Highlights included:
- Innovation in Restoration: Peter Struffeneger (Pacific Plaza Imports) shared insights into purple sea urchin ranching, illustrating how aquaculture can solve ecological crises while creating commercial value.
- Tribal Sovereignty and Resilience: Daniel Swezey (Kashia Band of Pomo Indians) presented a moving and practical look at tribal aquaculture as a path for recovery and cultural resilience.
- The Tech Frontier: Paul Grech (OctaPulse) demonstrated how AI vision is revolutionizing hatcheries, while Bill Keleher and Lori Gustafson (USDA APHIS) discussed the vital role of aquatic health and “disease freedom” claims in securing our industry’s growth.
- Public Sentiment: Devin Fitzgerald (California Sea Grant) shared results from a 2025 survey, providing a clear-eyed look at how Californians perceive aquaculture and what we must do to build lasting public trust.
The Afternoon Roundtable: From Research to Reality
In the afternoon, the focus shifted from “what we know” to “why aren’t we scaling?” moderated by Kathleen Hartman and Megan Sorby. This “Research to Reality” roundtable brought producers, lenders, and policymakers to the same table.
The consensus was clear: Proactive collaboration is the key to unlocking U.S. sector growth. While the U.S. has decades of groundbreaking research, commercial production has remained largely flat. The discussion tackled the “hard questions” regarding private sector needs – specifically permitting reform, risk-sharing programs, and the financing mechanisms required to convert public investment into measurable increases in seafood production.
Key Takeaways: A Call to Action
The recurring theme of the conference, echoed by leaders across the country, is that the U.S. aquaculture sector must move beyond silos. To compete globally and meet California’s aggressive climate and food security goals, we must:
- Bridge the Gap: Integrate research directly into the field, as Jesse Trushenski (Riverence) emphasized.
- Tell Our Story: Use transparent, data-driven storytelling to bridge the “trust gap” with consumers.
- Advocate for Policy Reform: Move toward a regulatory environment that recognizes aquaculture as a solution for climate change and economic development.
Seeing our members, partners, and colleagues engage so passionately in Las Vegas was a testament to the strength of our community. We are not just farmers and scientists; we are pioneers building a sustainable food system for the 21st century.
As we return to our farms and offices, let’s carry this momentum forward. The roadmap for California’s aquaculture growth is clearer than ever – now, it’s time to build.
For a full list of session abstracts and more photos from the event, visit our website at caaquaculture.org.
]]>
From left to right. Dr. Simona Augyte (California Sea Grant and Scripps), Evan Simpson, Tatsu Kikuchi, Dr. Rafael Cuevas Uribe, Jasmine Iniguez (College of the Redwoods), and Phillip Tahimic.
Members of the public are welcome to attend in person to observe or provide public comment. The Committee plans to offer Zoom webinar and phone options. Instructions on how to participate will be posted to the Commission website prior to the meeting.
During the meeting, the California Ocean Protection Council will provide an update of the draft State Aquaculture Action Plan and the timeline for its release.
View the Committee meeting agenda here.
]]>California Sea Grant is soliciting applications for two extension fellowships: the Delta Extension Fellowship and the North Coast Seafood Extension Fellowship.
These fellowship positions provide recent graduate students the chance to work directly with California communities facing challenges related to water, fishing and coastal management. Fellows bridge the gap between research and community needs, helping translate scientific findings into practical solutions, gathering inputs from residents and helping communities build resilience.
This two-year fellowship, developed in partnership with the Delta Stewardship Council, is based at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) and focuses on helping Delta communities prepare for and adapt to changes in water and environmental management. The fellow will work with residents in towns and cities throughout California’s Sacramento—San Joaquin Delta region to understand their concerns, share research findings and build local capacity to respond to challenges.
The fellow will be hosted by the California Sea Grant Social Science Extension Specialist at UC Davis and collaborate closely with the Delta Stewardship Council, the state agency working to advance California’s “coequal goals” for the Delta — a reliable water supply and a resilient ecosystem — in a manner that protects and enhances the unique characteristics of the Delta as an evolving place where people live, work and recreate.
Key activities will include:
- Help run a community survey to gather Delta residents’ perspectives, including outreach to communities, analyzing results and sharing findings.
- Research and communicate how water management decisions affect Delta communities.
- Gather information about community resilience training needs for Delta residents and organize trainings to address those needs.
Learn More and Apply
In a study recently published in Nature Communications Sustainability, researchers Mojtaba Fakhraee and Noah J. Planavsky have identified a powerful, hidden mechanism by which seaweed farming can combat climate change.
While seaweed is already celebrated for its ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) through photosynthesis, this new research suggests that its most significant climate impact might actually be happening beneath the waves, in the seafloor sediments.
The “Hidden” Carbon Sink: Sedimentary Alkalinity
Traditionally, the climate value of seaweed farming has been measured by how much biomass is harvested or sunk to the deep ocean. However, this study, titled “Seaweed farms enhance alkalinity production and carbon capture,” uses advanced geochemical modeling to show that seaweed farms act as catalysts for a process called sedimentary alkalinity production.
When organic matter from seaweed – such as falling fronds or metabolic waste – settles on the seafloor beneath a farm, it stimulates microbial activity in the sediment. This activity triggers chemical reactions (like sulfate reduction and the dissolution of minerals) that produce alkalinity.
Why Alkalinity Matters
Alkalinity is essentially the ocean’s “antacid.” When the alkalinity of seawater increases, its capacity to absorb and chemically “lock away” CO₂ from the atmosphere grows. Unlike organic carbon, which can be easily released back into the atmosphere if the seaweed decays, carbon stored via alkalinity is extremely stable and can remain sequestered in the ocean for thousands of years.
Key Findings of the Study
- Significant CO₂ Drawdown: The researchers’ stochastic simulations suggest that this enhanced alkalinity production could remove an average of 0.85 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare per year. Depending on local conditions, this figure can range from 0.1 to over 2 tonnes.
- Beyond Photosynthesis: This process represents an additional carbon sequestration pathway that has been largely overlooked in previous blue carbon accounting.
- A Solution for Ocean Acidification: By increasing local alkalinity, seaweed farms don’t just capture carbon; they also help neutralize the rising acidity of coastal waters, potentially protecting shellfish and coral reefs in the surrounding ecosystem.
- Potential for Enhancement: The study suggests that if seaweed aquaculture is combined with “mineral addition” (such as adding limestone to the farm area), the rates of alkalinity production—and thus carbon capture—could be amplified even further.
Implications for the Future
The study highlights seaweed farming as a multi-functional tool for “Carbon Dioxide Removal” (CDR). Beyond providing food and sustainable feedstocks for industry, these underwater forests serve as “alkalinity factories.”
However, the researchers emphasize that this isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution. The efficiency of this carbon capture depends on factors like water temperature, salinity, and how well the sediment “breathes” (bio-irrigation).
As the world looks for scalable, nature-based solutions to meet net-zero goals, this research provides a compelling argument for the rapid expansion of seaweed aquaculture. By farming the seas, we aren’t just cleaning the water – we are fundamentally altering the chemistry of the ocean to better protect our planet’s atmosphere.
]]>The Core of the Conflict
The 2009 endangerment finding was the scientific and legal cornerstone that allowed the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. By determining that carbon dioxide and other planet-warming emissions pose a direct threat to public health and welfare, the EPA gained the authority to set standards for vehicle tailpipes, power plants, and fuel economy.
With that finding now revoked, the administration is effectively walking away from its mandate to curb the pollution driving climate change. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin characterized the move as a victory over “federal regulatory overreach,” calling the original 2009 finding the “holy grail” of excessive government interference.
California Strikes Back
California officials wasted no time in condemning the move. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state would lead a legal challenge against the administration, accusing the federal government of “denying reality.”
“Donald Trump may put corporate greed ahead of communities and families, but California will not stand by,” Newsom said in a statement. “We will see them in court.”
State regulators, including Steven Cliff of the California Air Resources Board, argued that the administration is ignoring settled science. Cliff noted that the repeal tells victims of climate-driven disasters—such as the state’s increasingly frequent and severe wildfires—to “not believe what’s right before their eyes.”
An Ironic Shift in Power
While the federal rollback aims to deregulate industry, some legal experts suggest it could backfire by giving states more autonomy.
- State-Level Rules: Because California’s own climate policies—like its cap-and-trade program and clean energy mandates—are rooted in state law, they will remain in effect.
- New Regulatory Authority: If the federal government exits the field of greenhouse gas regulation, California may argue it has the right to set even more aggressive standards for vehicles and industrial sources, free from federal preemption.
- Liability Lawsuits: Legal experts, including UCLA Law Professor Ann Carlson, noted that removing federal oversight could actually make it easier for states to sue oil companies. Without federal regulations to point to as a “shield,” fossil fuel companies may face increased liability in state courts for the costs of climate-related damages like floods and fires.
What’s Next?
The repeal of the endangerment finding is expected to trigger a wave of litigation from environmental groups and other Democratic-led states. In Sacramento, lawmakers are already moving to fortify state protections. Assemblymember Robert Garcia recently introduced legislation to affirm the state’s power to curb pollution from high-traffic facilities like warehouses and ports.
As the federal government retreats from climate action, the battle lines have shifted to the courts and the state capitol, where California intends to cement its role as the nation’s primary regulator of carbon pollution.
]]>These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the California counties of Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, San Francisco, Siskiyou, Sonoma and Trinity.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs including faith-based organizations impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for PNPs and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The DLOCs hours of operations are listed below:
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MARIN COUNTY Opens 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17 |
MARIN COUNTY Disaster Loan Outreach Center Marin County Office of Emergency Management 1600 Los Gamos Dr., Ste. 300 San Rafael, CA 94903Opens 2:00 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23 Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Closes 7:00 p.m. Friday, Feb 27 |
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MARIN COUNTY Opens 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 2 |
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To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 6. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 3.
]]>A System in Retreat
The scale of the reduction is unprecedented. Within the first year of the second Trump term, the FDA has seen thousands of departures – estimated at nearly 20% of the human food inspection workforce. At the USDA, billion-dollar budget cuts have led to the suspension of critical services, including certain milk quality tests and salmonella verification programs for poultry.
The impact is already visible in the data. Foreign food inspections have plummeted by approximately 30% compared to previous years, reaching some of the lowest levels on record. For the few inspectors remaining, the logistical burden has increased; reports indicate that staff must now coordinate their own international travel and documentation, further reducing the time spent on actual oversight.
Key Areas of Concern
Experts point to several critical “blind spots” created by the staffing vacuum:
- Pathogen Surveillance: The CDC has been forced to scale back its FoodNet surveillance program, reducing the number of monitored pathogens from eight down to just two: Salmonella and E. coli. This leaves other dangerous threats, like Listeria and Campylobacter, largely invisible to federal trackers.
- Traceability Delays: In March 2025, the administration officially delayed the implementation of the Food Traceability Rule – a cornerstone of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) – pushing the deadline from 2026 to 2028. This delay significantly hinders the ability of retailers and regulators to quickly isolate the source of outbreaks.
- The “Politicization of Science”: Former agency scientists have voiced concerns that the loss of veteran personnel is being replaced by policy-making via podcasts and journal articles rather than established, transparent guidance documents. This shift, they argue, erodes the scientific integrity that once made the U.S. a global leader in public health.
- State-Level Ripple Effects: Because the FDA provides training and assistance to state inspectors – who handle 90% of produce inspections and nearly all restaurant oversight – the firing of federal retail specialists has left local authorities without the technical support needed to maintain safety standards.
The Human and Economic Cost
The consequences of reduced oversight are no longer theoretical. Critics point to recent outbreaks – including a *Listeria* event in early 2026 that resulted in multiple fatalities – as evidence that the system is failing to catch contamination before it reaches the consumer.
While the administration argues that these cuts are necessary to reduce government waste and “demoralize” what they term the “deep state,” food safety advocates like Marion Nestle and Mitzi Baum warn that the private sector cannot be expected to self-regulate effectively. “Food companies are run by humans,” Nestle noted, “and humans tend not to do things they don’t have to.”
As labs close and inspections decline, the U.S. food supply faces a “perfect storm” of emerging threats and diminishing defenses. For the American consumer, the risk of foodborne illness is becoming an increasingly invisible, yet potent, threat.
]]>The project’s collapse marks a significant economic blow to local government agencies. The Humboldt Bay Harbor District stands to lose a 30-year lease agreement that would have eventually generated over $160,000 in annual rent, while the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District loses a much-needed industrial-scale customer for its surplus water rights. The facility was intended to revitalize a designated brownfield—the former site of the Evergreen Pulp Mill – by producing 27,000 metric tons of Yellowtail kingfish annually and providing up to 150 full-time jobs.
Despite having secured three major coastal development permits and completing an extensive environmental impact report in 2024, Nordic Aquafarms has opted for an “orderly wind-down” of its operations in the region. The departure leaves the Harbor District and the County to manage the remains of the project and address the fiscal impact of losing one of the largest proposed economic developments in the area’s recent history.
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