Blog

This year has been trying for us all. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted so many lives and businesses. We have been and continue to be in direct communication with multiple agencies at the state and federal levels to provide the support and assistance for you to make it through this challenging time. We are here for you, and if there is anything you may need from us as an association, please contact us at info@caaquaculture.org or (916) 246-6349.

As a gentle reminder, we want you to know that your membership with us is greatly appreciated and, if you haven’t already, we hope that you are able to renew your membership this year. We know it has been a tough year thus far, and we fully understand that it may take time to get back on your feet. But please know that it is with members like you that we are able to continue to do the work we do.

Recently, we have supported businesses like yours by:

• Engaging state and national agencies and officials to provide COVID-19 relief to include:
  • HR 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): SBA COVID-19 disaster relief, EIDL Advance, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
  • Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
  • Providing interruption of business insurance to include pandemics and similar market disruptions.
  • Improving food security to depend more on domestic seafood.
  • Streamlining regulations so that more seafood can be grown in California.
  • Additional grants and low interest loans to survive COVID-19 conditions.
• Supporting the reestablishment of the Aquaculture Depredation Order (AQDO) to relieve members of double-crested cormorant predation.
• Supporting an amendment to the Farm Bill to exempt live fish from onerous delivery regulations.
• Engaging with the FDA to combat misleading seafood labeling by plant-based protein companies.
• Participating in a walk on the hill in Washington, D.C. as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Aquaculture Association to advance pro-aquaculture legislation in California and nationwide.
• Standing with shellfish farmers to establish reasonable best management practices (BMPs), as requested by the state and supporting the Shellfish Initiative to triple production.
• Protecting coastal aquaculture and seafood economies by advocating for support of HR 3596, Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act.
• Supporting the RESTAURANTS Act to help ensure continued demand for seafood products in restaurants.
• Working to establish a marine aquaculture industry in California by:
  • Supporting the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act and recommending to legislative staff an amendment from tenant “permit” language to tenant “lease” language.
  • Maintaining commitment from the CDFW to complete the marine PEIR.
  • Recommending that “marine finfish aquaculture” be added to the Ocean Protection Council’s (OPC) Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025.
• Promoting California aquaculture to meet current and future demand.
• Advocating enhanced stocking of warm water fish.

Again, if you have not already, we kindly ask that you renew your membership with CAA. As always, we thank you for your continued dedication to our work. We look forward to serving you and enhancing your opportunity to thrive – and we hope that you and your families are staying healthy and safe.

~` Michael Lee, Executive Director