Concerns over food supply transparency and sustainable aquaculture have prompted calls for increased federal action in the United States, highlighting the need for stronger regulatory frameworks and scientific innovation to address environmental and social challenges in the seafood sector.

Several voices from across the country emphasize the importance of knowing the origin of seafood products to build consumer trust and combat illegal and unethical practices. Max Valentine, PhD, campaign director and senior scientist at Oceana, points to the seafood industry’s opaque supply chains, which can obscure the true costs of production. Fish meal—a common feed ingredient in aquaculture—sometimes originates from fisheries with records of illegal fishing and labor abuses. Valentine advocates for expanded seafood traceability requirements that would allow regulators and businesses to monitor fish from catch to sale, including those used for feed. Such measures, he asserts, would help prevent exploitation, promote fair competition, and ensure seafood remains a reliable food source.

In tandem, industry advocates and researchers stress the potential for the United States to lead in sustainable aquaculture. Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager for Stronger America Through Seafood, supports federal legislation to establish a clear permitting and oversight framework for open ocean aquaculture. Citing the bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act, Winters argues that regulatory clarity is essential to responsibly growing domestic seafood production while maintaining high environmental standards. She highlights ongoing efforts in American aquaculture to develop sustainable feeds—such as those derived from U.S.-grown crops—to reduce dependence on wild-caught fish.

Winters further underscores that the solution to global aquaculture challenges lies not in abandoning fish farming but in advancing science-based practices and effective oversight. The United States, she contends, has already demonstrated the ability to balance seafood production with environmental stewardship in state waters and is poised to expand this leadership on the open ocean.

Together, these perspectives call for increased transparency and investment to ensure the seafood sector can meet growing demands sustainably and ethically. The focus remains on leveraging scientific advancements, regulatory reform, and traceability to protect marine ecosystems, uphold labor standards, and provide consumers with trustworthy products. The urgency of these issues reflects the broader need for responsible resource management amid increasing global seafood consumption and environmental pressures.