Webcast: New Report on Aquaculture in Southern California

September 27, 2016

The Aquarium held a live webcast to announce the release of a new report on offshore aquaculture, or fish farming, in Southern California. The report, issued on September 27 by the Aquarium, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and California Sea Grant, was the result of two workshops convened in 2015 and 2016 sponsored by NOAA Sea Grant. The key findings from these workshops provide recommendations for growth and expansion of marine aquaculture in the U.S. and address the complex permitting system and the need for continued research and public outreach.

The workshops brought together regulators and scientists to discuss the application of the best available science and incorporating appropriate tools that can inform decision making for the permitting of marine aquaculture in California. The participants represented a cross-section of scientists, regulators, and industry practitioners with proven expertise in the field of aquaculture and environmental science. State and federal agencies with regulatory responsibilities for permitting aquaculture also participated.

The full report is available at www.aquariumofpacific.org/aquaculturereport.

Webcast speakers include Dr. Jerry Schubel, president and CEO, Aquarium of the Pacific; Dr. James Morris, marine ecologist, NOAA’s National Ocean Service and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science; and Dr. Paul Olin, aquaculture specialist, California Sea Grant and the University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography.