This project aims to strengthen the support for aquaculture as a sustainable and valuable industry sector, and ultimately increase the demand for aquaculture-based products and boost local economies…

This $1,125,103 Cooperative Agreement award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Sea Grant Support program (CFDA 11.417) aims to strengthen support for aquaculture as a sustainable industry in the U.S. Southeast. The project will: 1) Establish a Southeast Aquaculture Communication Collaborative to curate and develop aquaculture resources and expertise in the region; 2) Increase access to regional aquaculture information through the creation and distribution of educational products for extension agents; and 3) Implement communication campaigns to increase aquaculture literacy and demand among key audiences like seafood consumers and the general public. The University of Florida is the prime awardee, with the University of Mississippi serving as a sub-awardee to lead the development of a policy toolkit for local government officials on aquaculture laws and regulations in the region. The award period runs from Sep 1, 2024 to Aug 31, 2027.

Expected outcomes

Establishment of the southeast aquaculture communications collaborative is expected to: (1) curate, foster and develop aquaculture resources and expertise in the southeast region; (2) increase access to regional aquaculture resources and information; (3) successfully implement communication campaigns for key audiences; and (4) increase aquaculture literacy and demand for aquaculture products among campaign audiences. As a result, the number of people engaged in sacc supported informal education activities, the number who changed their purchasing behavior and the economic benefits generated (including number of jobs and businesses sustained), will be reported.

Intended beneficiaries

The intended beneficiaries are the aquaculture community, including researchers, extension professionals, and state agencies; aquaculture-dependent businesses and local economies; seafood consumers; and the general public.

Subrecipient activities

This project will have one subrecipient, the national sea grant law center (NSGLC), which will lead on the development of a communications campaign and toolkit for local government officials regarding aquaculture laws and policies in the region. This effort will include synthesizing information in the state marine aquaculture policy dashboard on a regional and state level. A post-graduate law fellow will help compile and synthesize information and the nsglcs web designer will help with graphics and layout in conjunction with the florida based project coordinator. The NSGLC also envisions hosting a community engaged intern (CEI) each summer and supporting travel for other sea grant legal experts in the region to travel to project meetings and events.