A summary of the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit is now available. The document highlights the opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture as identified by summit participants.
A summary of the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit is now available. The document highlights the opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture as identified by summit participants, including seafood and other industry leaders, investors, policy experts, government officials, researchers, and representatives of non-government organizations. On balance, the summit panelists concluded that the United States is poised and ready to expand ecologically responsible marine aquaculture. They also concluded that legislation should provide for the development of an environmentally responsible and sustainable aquaculture industry, while also providing the framework for regulatory certainty that will aid development and growth of new business.
Summary of the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit (pdf 796kb)
A transcript of the 2007 National Marine Aquaculture Summit is available in the documents below. These documents include opening remarks, presentations by all panelists and panel discussions, the question and answer period with the audience following each panel, and remarks by luncheon speakers and special guests. Note: These are large documents. If you experience an error when you click on the link to view the file in your browser window, right-click on the link first and then download the file to your desktop.
Transcript for June 26, 2007 (pdf 601kb)
Transcript for June 27, 2007 (pdf 493kb)
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Pavilion Room (Second Floor)
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 2004
Day 1: Opportunities and Challenges
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. — Registration
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. — Welcome
9:30 – 9:45 a.m. – Remarks
9:45 – 11:00 a.m.
Opening Panel – The Time Is Now: Why the United States Should Embrace Aquaculture
This session will provide the context for the Summit, including what is driving the increased demand for seafood in the United States, where U.S. aquaculture stands today in relation to the rest of the world, and what the potential is for domestic aquaculture. The panel will explore what an expanded U.S. aquaculture program could offer investors, businesses, consumers, and coastal communities.
Moderator — Dr. Paul Sandifer, NOAA Ocean Service
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 45kb)
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. — Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
U.S. Aquaculture Investment Opportunities and Constraints
Moderator — John Forster, Forster Consulting
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 41kb)
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. — Lunch
Luncheon Speaker — Brian O’Hanlon, Snapperfarm (biography, pdf 36kb)
2:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Supporting Seafood Jobs in Coastal Communities
In this session, panelists from traditional seafood harvesting, processing, marketing, and aquaculture sectors, and coastal communities will identify ways to integrate aquaculture into existing seafood businesses and infrastructure. Panel members will also highlight how aquaculture can meet the demands of seafood marketing companies, complement wild catch, preserve working waterfronts, and provide opportunities for ventures of all sizes.
Moderator — Mike Voisin, Motivatit Seafoods
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 42kb)
3:15 – 3:45 pm — Break
3:45 – 5:15 p.m.
Using Hatcheries to Replenish Wild Stocks
This panel will focus on the opportunities for hatchery operations to help replenish wild stocks, enhance recreational and commercial fishing, rebuild wild stocks, and restore habitats.
Moderator — Dr. Conrad Mahnken, Washington State Fish & Wildlife Commission
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 67kb)
5:15 – 5:30 p.m. — Remarks
5:30 – 7:30pm — Reception (Pavilion Foyer)
Sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute
Day 2: Action & Implementation
While the first day of the Summit is intended to identify opportunities and challenges for U.S. marine aquaculture, the second day focuses on what the Federal government can do to help develop a sustainable U.S. aquaculture industry. Topics include legislation, R&D, economic incentives, investment programs, and scientific research.
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. — Registration
9:15 to 9:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks — Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA Administrator (biography)
9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
Developing Aquaculture: What the Federal Government Can Do
In this session, panelists will examine what options exist within the federal government to enable the development of a vital domestic marine aquaculture industry in partnership with industry, states, research institutions, and other partners.
Moderator — Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA Administrator
Click here for biographies of the panelists. (pdf 41kb)
10:45 – 12:00 p.m.
Legislation & Regulation for Marine Aquaculture
This session will focus on the regulatory and legal framework needed to develop U.S. marine aquaculture. Panelists will discuss legislative and regulatory needs, including the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007, as well as regulatory issues facing U.S. shellfish farming.
Moderator — Sam Rauch, NOAA Fisheries
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 41kb)
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
Introduction — Mr. Timothy R.E. Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, NOAA (biography)
Luncheon Speaker — The Honorable James L. Connaughton, Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality (biography)
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Economic Incentives & Research & Development for Aquaculture
This session will focus on programs that could be tapped to develop aquaculture such as federal loan, incentive, and grant programs. Examples include the Department of Commerce's Fishery Finance Program (loans), Advanced Technology Program (grants for technology innovation), and Sea Grant research programs; USDA's crop and disaster insurance programs; and other Federal research and development grants. Proposals for expanded research and development initiatives will also be examined.
Moderator — Dr. Charles Wilson, Louisiana Sea Grant
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 43kb)
2:45 – 4:00 p.m.
Scientific Research Priorities
This session will focus on research priorities and joint initiatives by the private sector with a variety of organizations. These include federal and state agencies, NGOs, foundations, scientific research institutes, Sea Grant institutions, and others to fill key research needs on best management practices, regulatory issues, alternative feeds, and stock replenishment.
Moderator — Dr. Richard Langan, Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center
Click here for biographies of the moderator and panelists. (pdf 45kb)
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks — Dr. William Hogarth, NOAA Fisheries