July 28, 2023

US senators push for action on US aquaculture permit backlog

US senators are urging the US Army Corps of Engineers to devise a comprehensive plan to tackle a backlog of aquaculture permit applications, as shellfish aquaculture projects require approval from the Corps to ensure compliance with US environmental laws, Seafood Source reported.

According to a 2019 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, the Corps received 3,751 applications from 2012 to 2017, with the vast majority being approved. However, concerns arise from delays that some applicants faced during the permitting process, ranging from 18 days to 8 months, as revealed in the GAO's interviews with 15 applicants.

To address these issues, a Senate Appropriations Committee report on the 2024 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill includes a provision demanding the Corps to brief the committee on their plans and progress in resolving the backlog within 45 days of enactment.

The committee acknowledges the challenges faced by the Corps in reviewing and certifying permitting applications for state-specific aquaculture activities, particularly in the north-western division. The provision awaits resolution and approval through further legislative processes.

In efforts to enhance federal support for commercial shellfish aquaculture, US lawmakers have recently introduced the bipartisan Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood (SHELLS) Act. This legislation aims to establish an office of aquaculture within the US Department of Agriculture, with a focus on promoting shellfish, seaweed, and land-based aquaculture operations, along with providing technical assistance.

US Representative Suzanne Bonamici said that shellfish harvesters and seaweed farmers play a vital role in US food supply and emphasised the need for better support to unlock their full potential.

-      Seafood Source