Program and Abstracts(PDF)

Presentation 2
AQUACULTURE RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES 2010-2015 AND
BEYOND: A USDA AND INTERAGENCY PERSPECTIVE
Jeffrey Silverstein
US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Office of National Programs 5601
Sunnyside Ave., Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
Email: jeff.silverstein at ars.usda.gov
The three federal departments primarily concerned with aquaculture in the United States are
Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Department of Commerce. The US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) applies expertise in agriculture to support efforts to increase
production efficiency and consumer value. Within the Department of Interior, the Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) creates recreational opportunities and protects freshwater biodiversity.
Within the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) enhances commercial, artisanal and recreational fishing opportunities,
develops and supports aquaculture for commercial and enhancement goals and protects marine
species. The growth of aquaculture in the US was gradual but reliable over the 20 years from
1980 to 2000. Industry growth and stakeholder involvement justified growing budgets for
aquaculture research in USDA (ARS and NIFA) and the other agencies to a lesser extent.
Nevertheless, over the last decade aquaculture production in the United States has not expanded.
The catfish industry, the largest single component of commercial US aquaculture has gone
through a sharp decline of approximately 30% over the past 3 years, due to competition from
imports, and high production costs. Trout production, the second largest commercial finfish
sector has been stable but without growth for the past 3 decades. Other products are seeing some
fluctuations; some bright spots include growing salmon production, and increased markets for
molluscan shellfish. Within the USDA (Agriculture Research Service, ARS, in particular)
research is focused on four major themes: genetic improvement, development of alternative
ingredients and improved nutrition, improved health through vaccine and therapeutics
development and improving production systems (ponds, raceways and recirculating systems).
Several of these priorities are indeed multiagency, for example there is a joint NOAA-USDA
alternative feeds initiative, and work on therapeutic and vaccine development is done in
coordination with FWS, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).
Two clear themes emerging for stimulating growth of aquaculture in the US are
strengthening connections along the value chain from hatchery to consumer; and incorporating
best new technologies to achieve sustainable production, of high quality, affordable products.
The Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture is a federal government coordinating body where
issues that cross multiple government agencies can be discussed and addressed. Past
achievements include development of effluent guidelines for aquaculture in conjunction with
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and development of a National Aquatic Animal Health
Plan. Currently, an aquaculture Research and Technology strategic plan for the federal
government is under development.
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