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Issue link: https://seafoodbusiness.epubxp.com/i/139359
Point of View Need for aquaculture is real BY MAX HOLTZMAN T he United States imports more than 90 percent of the seafood it consumes, over half of which is produced through aquaculture. While the unparalleled success of our terrestrial growers, ranchers and producers facilitated U.S. exports that resulted in an estimated U.S. agricultural trade surplus of more than $32 billion, there was a trade defcit approaching $11 billion for seafood products in 2011. Why is this important? We know empirically that every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports approximately 7,800 jobs here at home. President Obama directed this administration to double its exports by 2015 and we are well on our way to doing that. Aquaculture has the potential to efectively contribute to increasing U.S. exports over the next decade, providing new jobs and economic opportunities for those in rural America. Te opportunities for growth and domestic demand generators in aquaculture are real. Tere is an evolving shift in dynamics afecting exports from the Asia to the United States. First, as populations and incomes in Asian countries rise and improve, there is a corresponding increase in demand for proteins. Tis translates to more aquaculture products staying in the Asia to meet domestic demand. Second, dynamics of the "value of the dollar" deem it less attractive to export to the United States. Finally, there is an almost insatiable demand for U.S. agricultural products for several reasons: We produce the safest, highest-quality products in the world and the reliability of our supply is second to none. Te soybean industry is seeing rapid growth and opportunity in more plant-based aquafeeds, and is making important domestic investments in this space. Te combination of these dynamics presents an incredible opportunity for growth in the domestic aquaculture industry and new economic opportunities for those in rural America. Aquaculture also plays a critical role in nourishing a rapidly growing world population. As the global population in October 2011 tipped the 7 billion mark with Do you have a Point of View on an industry topic that needs to be shared with attentive SeaFood Business readers? Email Fiona Robinson at frobinson@divcom.com for submission details. Visit us online at www.seafoodbusiness.com estimates of reaching 9 billion in the next few decades, we must fnd economically and environmentally sustainable ways to produce more food. Current estimates show we must produce Tird, when a natural disaster occurs that afects aquaculture growers, these growers should have access to disaster assistance programs as others in agriculture. Finally, and perhaps "Aquaculture has the potential to effectively contribute to increasing U.S. exports over the next decade, providing new jobs and economic opportunities for those in rural America." a shocking 60 to 70 percent more food than we produce on earth today just to feed this expansion in population, while we currently fght to properly nourish the 870 million children, women and men that go to sleep hungry every night. Te conversion efciency and long-term sustainability of protein production through modern aquaculture are important factors in this efort to combat what is perhaps one of the greatest challenges facing the global community today. So what is inhibiting this growth domestically and what can we as a nation do about it? First, there must be an understanding and acceptance that start-up of an aquaculture operation is treated no diferently than any other beginning agriculture enterprise. Second, multi-disciplinary research in aquaculture should be expanded to improve production efciency, economic viability and longterm sustainability through new transformational advances in genetics, nutrition, health and technology. most importantly, there must be a streamlining of regulations and permitting by government agencies that are science-based and recognize the unique aspects of successfully integrating aquaculture operations into our diverse aquatic environments. Te U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, Department of Interior, Army Corps of Engineers and Environmental Protection Agency have taken the frst important steps in this area working closely with the aquaculture industry, but much work remains to be done. Although I'm not one to wager, I know this: Never bet against the American farmer. Te genius, ingenuity, passion and just plain hard work of the American farmer are responsible for making the United States the most productive agriculture economy in the world. Tere is no reason it should be any diferent for the aquaculture industry. Max Holtzman is senior advisor to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack July 2013 SeaFood Business 5