Page 27 - FAO Aquaculture News, May 2021 - No. 63

with seaweed aquaculture, recognizing extensive and sometimes excessive and poorly harmonized regulations.
Special Section | Aquaculture Reviews
optimal growing conditions. The reasons behind the move However, a comprehensive regulatory framework has been
towards diversification are multifaceted: as a business risk successful (in part) to satisfy public perception issues
mitigator in regions of fluctuating or uncertain seafood regarding the sustainability and “safety” of farmed seafood
product supply and demand; to take advantage of new and products. At the same time, it has constrained development
expanding markets; to mitigate environmental impacts; and through higher costs of doing business, delays in permitting,
as part of an adaptive strategy for responding to climate and reluctance of investment. Current initiatives in the
change. United States of America and Canada are addressing these
constraints to growth.
Social license and governance
One of the major constraints to aquaculture development A move towards an efficient yet supportive regulatory
and expansion in North America is associated with social environment for aquaculture, which also maintains
license, which is to say necessary acceptance of local protections for the environment and coastal and land use
stakeholders and the general community for aquaculture management, as well as seafood safety, would enable the
to operate. Negative public perceptions of the aquaculture sustainable development of the sector. Danielle Blacklock
industry continue to have an impact on growth. However, reinforced this point in her opening statement, noting the
industry response and support by governmental ongoing strategic planning, a review of risk assessment
initiatives have become eager to improve its image. Susan and the development of new opportunity areas in the
Farquharson remarked how governance influences social United States of America, all of which will revolutionize
license, recognizing that current marine aquaculture is aquaculture in North America.
the responsibility of multiple agencies and noting the
importance of harmonized policy for supporting sustainable REFERENCES
development. The final key finding of the regional review A video recording of the webinar can be found here:
is that the regulatory burden has remained high, with www.aquaculture2020.org/reviews

©FAO/K. Hudson (Mississippi State University)

Catfish harvest in Noxubee County, Mississippi, United States of America.

26 FAO AQUACULTURE NEWS – Nº. 63 ■ MAY 2021