3.4
Other Information:
Sustainable fisheries and safe seafood for healthy populations and vibrant communities Fisheries—both recreational and commercial—are
one of the most visible ecosystem services marine environments provide. Americans are already the third largest consumer of
seafood in the world and are global leaders in marine sport fishing. Beyond food and economic benefits from marine fisheries,
the public health benefits of consuming safe seafood are increasingly recognized and documented. As human populations grow,
demand on marine ecosystems to provide seafood and recreational opportunities will also increase. However, as domestic demand
for safe seafood and recreation opportunities grow, these demands will far exceed domestic supply from wild stocks. This places
a premium on effective management of natural fish stocks and development of ecologically sustainable aquaculture programs.
NOAA's legal responsibilities in this regard encompass management of more than 500 fish stocks or stock complexes under MSA.
Currently, more stringent regulation, including reduced quotas and shortened fishing seasons, has become commonplace, limiting
recreational and commercial fishing opportunities. Implementing management strategies that rebuild and manage fish stocks,
maintain access to fisheries, and improve opportunities for aquaculture can build and sustain economically robust coastal
communities and contribute to long-term food security for the Nation. An additional, often overlooked component of food security
is reducing seafood-related health hazards, such as paralytic shellfish poisoning and industrial toxins in fished species.
These hazards pose serious risks to humans, yet only a very small percentage of seafood in the United States is inspected
for toxins and pathogens. Imported seafood—more than 80 percent of the seafood consumed in the United States—is typically
inspected less frequently. Maintaining sustainable fisheries and safe marine-origin foods is a priority for NOAA. To achieve
this objective, NOAA will pursue science and policies to promote a suite of practices that ensure the long-term stability
of wild stocks, support sound aquaculture programs, and improve seafood safety. Specifically, NOAA will continue ongoing work
to eliminate overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and improve long-term economic stability of recreational and commercial
fisheries. Rigorous ecosystem and single-species assessments will inform fisheries management plans and support long-term
sustainability of stocks. Management efforts, such as catch-share programs, will be implemented with monitoring to evaluate
their impact on stock status, while improved socio-economic data collection will allow managers to evaluate and improve the
social sustainability of recreational and commercial fishery programs. NOAA will also work to strengthen the enforcement of
fishery regulations concerning international imports and exports; support improving stock status; and in international species
management programs, such as those for highly migratory species of fish and for fisheries in polar regions. Another key component
of this objective is the development and implementation of a national aquaculture policy that provides information and guidance
to implement ecologically and economically sustainable aquaculture programs. As part of this effort, NOAA will work with academic
and industry partners to develop and improve best aquaculture practices, land- and ocean-based siting guidance, and alternative-feed
technologies. Together these efforts will work toward the long-term abundance and sustainability of marine food sources. Finally,
increased seafood inspection and developing health hazard warning systems will ensure that seafood consumers have safe and
healthful food options. Over the next five years, evidence of progress toward this objective will include: * Improving trends
in stocks categorized as overfished shown in increases in abundance; * Reduced numbers of stocks subject to overfishing; *
Increased allowable catch levels as fish stocks reach rebuilt status; * Decreased bycatch of target and non-target species;
* Expanded recreational and commercial fishing opportunities; * Increased research focused on sustainable aquaculture activities;
* Increased numbers of aquaculture facilities that are ecologically sustainable; * Increased proportion of inspected seafood;
and * Implementation of a national aquaculture policy and NOAA aquaculture priorities.
Indicator(s):
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