The White House, on June 17, 2014, announced the Administration’s policies for aquaculture development for the next five years. The National Strategic Plan for Federal Aquaculture Research was developed by the Interagency Working Group on Aquaculture (IWG-A).

The IWG-A, part of the Life Science Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Office of Science is chaired by the United States Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  The IWG-A was established to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of federal aquaculture research, technology transfer, and technology assistance programs; further encourage public-private sector collaborations; as well as coordinate efforts among federal agencies engaged in the science, technology, and engineering of aquaculture in the United States. The IWG-A supports the National Aquaculture Act of 1980 which defines national policy to “…encourage the development of aquaculture in the United States”.

This five-year plan provides a framework for coordination and collaboration across agencies on research, education, and technology transfer programs related to aquaculture.  The plan offers a guide to Federal agencies as they develop and implement aquaculture-related research and development activities.

Additionally, the White House released a Fact Sheet entitled “Leading at Home and Internationally to Protect Our Ocean and Coasts”.