"Expanding the blue economy in New England through sustainable aquaculture: Challenges and economically viable opportunities for growth"

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 3:00pm to 4:00pm

Department of Fisheries Oceanography

"Expanding the blue economy in New England through sustainable aquaculture: Challenges and economically viable opportunities for growth"
Dan Ward
Owner, Ward Aquafarms

Wednesday, January 28, 2026
3:00 - 4:00 pm
SMAST E 101-103 and via Zoom

Abstract:

Increasing seafood production from aquaculture will help bring back coastal jobs lost in response to depleted fisheries, as well as result in an increase in domestic seafood production, which will reduce the need for imports from other countries. However, the challenges of growing the aquaculture sector sustainably are great enough that even with broad support, the industry still produces a small fraction of the marine products consumed in this country. Farming is, and always will be a risky business. Whether the current challenge on the farm is primarily predators, flow, disease, theft, storms, or a mix of all of the above, it takes constant vigilance to keep the product growing and providing a consistent supply to the market. Albert Einstein once said, “in the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”. Reframing the challenging factors preventing significant US aquaculture expansion in terms of opportunities as opposed to difficulties, will enable the innovation necessary to overcome complex problems. Harmful algae blooms, such as the increasingly common concerns of Cochlodinium polykrikoides, present an opportunity for public-private partnerships; nearshore competition with coastal stakeholders for space can be framed as an avenue for building collaborative solutions and community support; addressing the high cost of farm inputs involves developing solutions which benefit numerous industries with multiple revenue streams, and offshore aquaculture has the potential to result in mutually beneficial outcomes among previously antagonistic user groups. The commercial aquaculture industry in New England benefits from being located in an area of the country where locally produced healthy protein is valued by the community. That community support, in conjunction with the financial and knowledge-based resources the region offers, has the potential to lead to areas of expansion which are both economically viable and beneficial to society.

Join Meeting
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93758230260

Meeting ID and passcode required. Please email contact for more information

SMAST East 101-103 : 836 S. Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford MA 02744
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/j/93758230260