TOWARD AN AQUACULTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

AQUACULTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Updates and Focus on Workforce Development

Presented by David O’Brien (NOAA)Co-chair, NSTC Aquaculture Economic Development Task Force

Presentation Outline1. Updates on EDTF 2. Focus and request for MAFAC

assistance on seafood workforce development

EDTF UPDATES - * NEW MEMBERS

New members added. Full list of member agencies is: Department of Agriculture

Rural Development National Institute of Food and Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Economic Research Service *

Department of Commerce NOAA – Office of Aquaculture NOAA – Sea Grant * Economic Development Administration * Minority Business Development Agency *

Environmental Protection Agency Fish and Wildlife Service Food and Drug Administration Department of State

EDTF Coordinator – Gabriela McMurtry (NOAA Office of Policy) *

Overarching goal - A robust and resilient domestic aquaculture sectorGoals1. Incentivize Industry Investment2. Support Infrastructure and Workforce Development3. Expand Market Opportunities for U.S. Aquaculture Products4. Support Aquaculture Communications and Literacy *5. Maximize Effectiveness of Federal Programs

* Refocus from the version presented in Fall 2020

GOALS

GOAL 5 - Maximize Effectiveness of Federal Programs

Goal 5 includes:➢ Catalog of federal programs -

Create a “front door” to quickly access the system of government programs that do or could support aquaculture

➢ NOAA published a Guide to Federal Programs and Servicesin May, 2021➢ Will be updated annually

Two complementary initiatives underway for workforce development

➢ Aquaculture EDTF - Educate and train a skilled aquaculture workforce (part of Goal 2)○ worker training ○ business planning and training

Sea Grant initiative to implement the Young Fisherman’s Act

Workforce Development

REQUESTS OF MAFAC

1. Review and comment on the Seafood Workforce Training Program Catalogue• Purpose - to catalogue all available programs

where the next generation of the aquaculture and fisheries workforce can gain its education and hands-on experience

• Will help to identify opportunities, gaps2. Provide any overarching recommendations to guide

NOAA’s efforts in the area of workforce development

To Send Comments or Suggestions

[email protected]