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Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI) is one of the core institutions selected to advance a new national effort to grow and strengthen America’s seafood supply through aquaculture research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) selected the University of New Hampshire (UNH) to lead the newly established Cooperative Institute Fostering Aquaculture Research and Markets (CIFARM), a five-year national partnership focused on advancing sustainable U.S. aquaculture.

With approximately $13.5 million in initial funding, CIFARM will support research and partnerships that will make it safer, more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce seafood domestically. Led by UNH, CIFARM brings together a broad national network of partners, including New Hampshire Sea Grant, the University of Miami, Florida Sea Grant, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, California Sea Grant, University of Hawaii, and Hawaii Sea Grant.

As part of CIFARM, HSWRI will contribute expertise in marine aquaculture technology development, offshore and community-scale aquaculture systems, seafood production, workforce development, and environmental monitoring. The Institute’s research programs span marine finfish, shellfish, seaweed, and restorative aquaculture, providing practical solutions that support both environmental stewardship and economic growth. HSWRI will also help ensure that research and technology developed through CIFARM addresses the unique opportunities and challenges facing aquaculture on the U.S. West Coast.

“Aquaculture will play an increasingly important role in meeting America’s growing demand for healthy, sustainable seafood,” said Mark Drawbridge, Director of the Sustainable Seafood Program at HSWRI. “For more than four decades, HSWRI has developed innovative aquaculture technologies and science-based solutions that improve seafood production while protecting marine resources. Through CIFARM, we look forward to working with partners across the country to advance sustainable aquaculture, strengthen coastal economies, and increase domestic seafood production.”

After a highly competitive application process, the new five-year Cooperative Institute will harness partnerships with researchers and focus on solving real-world challenges that affect both seafood producers and consumers. Researchers will develop new cutting-edge technologies to improve fish farming and other forms of aquaculture, use artificial intelligence to optimize operations, advance aquaculture through demonstration farms, and study ocean conditions to better predict and protect seafood harvests. They will also test offshore farming systems and analyze seafood markets to help bring products to consumers more efficiently.

NOAA leaders emphasized that expanding U.S. aquaculture is key to building a more resilient food system. “The United States is finally recognizing aquaculture as a vital complement to our world-class fisheries,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “We look forward to collaborating with these exemplary partners to continue to unlock the potential of this industry in the United States.”

At its core, this initiative is about putting more high-quality, sustainably produced seafood on American plates while reducing the nation’s heavy reliance on imports. Today, Americans consume more than $24 billion worth of seafood each year, about half of which is farmed overseas. The new Cooperative Institute is designed to help change that. For consumers, this means more reliable access to fresh, healthy seafood and greater confidence in how it is produced. CIFARM will deliver benefits to coastal communities and consumers, and offer new opportunities like jobs and economic growth, in this rapidly evolving industry.

CIFARM builds upon HSWRI’s long history of advancing sustainable marine aquaculture through research, technology development, education, and industry partnerships. From improving fish health and production efficiency to evaluating offshore farming systems and supporting workforce development, HSWRI’s work helps create practical solutions that strengthen domestic seafood production while protecting ocean resources. Through CIFARM, the Institute will help accelerate innovation and support the responsible growth of aquaculture across the United States.

More information is available at NOAA.

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About Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

Founded in 1963, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute is a nonprofit marine conservation and research organization dedicated to advancing ocean health and sustainability through science, education, and innovation. The Institute conducts applied research in marine conservation, fisheries enhancement, and sustainable seafood production, developing practical solutions that benefit marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide. HSWRI has been a national leader in marine fish culture, stock enhancement, offshore aquaculture research, and sustainable seafood innovation for more than four decades.