Can Seafood Producers in the U.S. Lead, or Merely Follow Trends?

There have been wedges driving even producers of good intent away from each other. This is a time in which unlikely players must learn to work and play well, together

The flow of populations, the shortages of essential resources and the policy decisions made to date seem designed to create divisiveness between fisheries, both wild and cultivated. It may be this is a conditioned response that is no longer serving anyone.

While many are continually painted with the same brush, the practices of farmers are changing as dramatically as the needs of fishing communities. The markets continue reactively to the fears of consumers even as the call for more seafood rises. Food prices are up in all sectors, the markets larger players are beginning to panic about the stark realities for everyone in the trade.

There is a quickly moving wave, a tsunami of demand for different methods of production and different alliances. We must quickly find common ground for public/private funding and policies, for current and future food realities for the health of our people and the ecosystems upon which we are all dependent.  The times, they are a changin' and our domestic positions are formed around old divisions that really are not serving our nation, the environmental needs for real restoration, and the pressing demand for jobs, for eco-economic strength and resilience.  We need new models for aquaculture and for our entire food system. Time to get busy.