Published for Stony Brook University's E-news Site, Happenings

Stony Brook, NY, October 26, 2018 - New York Sea Grant (NYSG) in collaboration with the National Aquaculture Association, received $182,108 in funding for a project to increase end-user confidence in U.S. farm-raised seafood and to increase demand for U.S. farm-raised seafood in the foodservice sector. This project builds on efforts by Michael Ciaramella, NYSG’s Seafood Safety and Technology Specialist based at Stony Brook University. Last summer, Ciaramella placed interns in the aquaculture workforce through the Fish-to-Dish Intern Program, which introduced students to an industry with exceptional growth potential and empowered them to pursue careers in seafood science and aquaculture.

The project, titled “Increasing demand for U.S. farm-raised seafood in the food service sector through industry partnerships,” will be conducted by forming an effective network among Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension agents, state aquaculture coordinators, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Regional Aquaculture Coordinators, Regional Aquaculture Centers and the U.S. aquaculture industry partners in the area of foodservice education. The intent is to develop a communications strategy to effectively and cost-efficiently reach the U.S. foodservice industry with a consistent message about U.S. farm-raised seafood and reduce user conflicts by providing science-based information about the U.S. environmental and food safety regulatory framework.


NYSG will lead the development of a flash card series to provide foodservice providers with information about the origins and sustainability of targeted species. The cards will ultimately be made available online in fillable PDF format. This will allow any producer, processor or foodservice professional to customize the cards and print for use at their facility.

Funding for this project comes from the NOAA and the National Sea Grant College Program as part of an $11 million investment in 22 projects to advance the development of a sustainable marine and coastal U.S. aquaculture industry.

“New York Sea Grant is a critical program that provides resources to our local anglers and businesses, and this federal funding will help them carry out this important mission,” said Congressman Lee Zeldin. “Their vital work helps preserve and support our local fishing industry. With 90% of consumed American seafood imported, we must ensure Long Island fishermen and shellfish farmers have access to the resources they need to sustain and grow their businesses.”

Sea Grant’s national investment in aquaculture research, outreach and education programs continue to produce results for coastal communities and their economies. Between February 2017 and January 2018, Sea Grant invested $11 million in aquaculture research, with additional funds and resources dedicated to outreach and technology transfer, and reported $78 million in economic impacts, including support of 792 businesses and 1,387 jobs.

“Seafood that is produced locally and in a manner that protects the environment and invigorates the economy provides us with an important source of protein and nutrients when handled safely. We look forward to working with our partners on this important initiative,” said Kathy Bunting-Howarth, NYSG’s Interim Director.

More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York (SUNY), is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program.

Since 1971, NYSG has represented a statewide network of integrated research, education and extension services promoting coastal community economic vitality, environmental sustainability and citizen awareness and understanding about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources.

Through NYSG’s efforts, the combined talents of university scientists and extension specialists help develop and transfer science-based information to many coastal user groups—businesses and industries, federal, state and local government decision-makers and agency managers, educators, the media and the interested public.

The program maintains Great Lakes offices at Cornell University, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Oswego and the Wayne County Cooperative Extension office in Newark. In the State's marine waters, NYSG has offices at Stony Brook University in Long Island, Brooklyn College and Cornell Cooperative Extension in NYC and Kingston in the Hudson Valley.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/nycoastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published quarterly. Our program also produces an occasional e-newsletter,"NOAA Sea Grant's Social Media Review," via its blog, www.nyseagrant.org/blog.