Federal Collaborations on Aquaculture

The Subcommittee on Aquaculture

The Subcommittee on Aquaculture (SCA) serves as the Federal interagency coordinating group under the National Science and Technology Council in the Executive Office of the President. The SCA serves as the Federal interagency coordinating group to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of Federal research, regulation and technology transfer and assistance programs.

• The SCA Regulatory Efficiency Task Force has published A Strategic Plan to Enhance Regulatory Efficiency in Aquaculture (2022). EPA has made commitments to help improve efficiencies in aquaculture permitting using NPDES authorities. These include utilizing general permitting approaches when so indicated by demand, working with regional interagency coordination groups on permitting actions, and improving aquaculture-specific outreach on the NPDES program and on water quality risks associated with aquatic animal production.
• The SCA Science Task Force has published A National Strategic Plan for Aquaculture Research (2022). EPA has made commitments to collaborate with other agencies to identify issues that limit aquaculture opportunities and develop science-based information to support decision-making, develop tools for regulators and producers, and support research and tool development related to permitting.

Investigational New Animal Drugs (INADs)

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provides information on INADs, including how to enroll in the program, a reference guide to approved aquaculture drugs and other related topics.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidances for INADS as well as on approved aquaculture drugs.

Additional Federal Resources

• Guide to Permitting Marine Aquaculture in the United States (2022) – This Guide was prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in consultation with the SCA and federal agencies with regulatory authorities related to aquaculture. It does include a brief summary of NPDES authorities and also covers a variety of other regulatory programs.
• Coastal Aquaculture Siting and Sustainability – This is a set of NOAA tools developed by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science providing science, guidance and technical support for sustainable aquaculture.