The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its first National Seafood Strategy. The 8-page document recorded the organization's dedication to enhancing resilience in the seafood sector, aligning with the objectives of the Biden-Harris Administration for economic recovery, environmental sustainability, and climate adaptation.
The team has prepared the finalized document for execution. A strategic plan that assumes the fundamental objectives with which NOAA intends to respond to large U.S. challenges. In addition, how it has been configured also with a fundamental principle: that of participation. For its elaboration, it has counted on comments and contributions from the public, which have managed to shape the strategy and include aspects such as equity and environmental justice.
In four primary strategic domains, a group identified these challenges, encompassing ambitious proposals to address climate change, enhance infrastructure, and progress emerging technologies. Specifically, these would be, on the one hand, to maintain and/or increase sustainable production, increase sustainable aquaculture production, facilitate access to national and international markets, and comment on and strengthen the seafood sector.
First and foremost, one of the key points was to increase seafood production to support the economy and jobs in the sector. To achieve this efficiently, the initial step involves modernizing supply chains and infrastructure, along with creating prospects for a diverse and expanding fishing workforce. The main concepts are easy to understand, but their execution relies on tangible actions. Thus, in this aspect, the designated plans for implementation have also been outlined.
Finally, to achieve the plan, the National Fish and Seafood Strategy will strengthen NOAA's scientific and management support to the seafood sector. This part is crucial to the well-being of the U.S. fishing industry. The motivation is that it is the point that faces challenges such as climate change, evolving markets, and the need to adapt to new sources of supply and technologies.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under the U.S. Department of Commerce, has a well-defined mission encompassing the understanding and prediction of climate, weather, ocean, and coastal changes. They strive to share this knowledge with others while conserving and managing coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.