Aquaculture Working Group

Introduction

Aquaculture is a growing industry in and around coral reef resources. Although aquaculture can provide jobs for economically depressed coastal communities and increase regional and domestic food supplies and security, aquaculture practices may have unintended adverse effects on a surrounding ecosystems.

The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (USCRTF) formed an ad-hoc Aquaculture Working Group to provide a forum for information sharing and to better coordinate the efforts of its members. Thus far, this working group consists of Federal agency Task Force members that play a significant role in regulating, permitting, or researching aquaculture activities. The working group has compiled input on environmental concerns related to aquaculture and provided resources pertaining to existing environmental guidelines.