toward an aquaculture economic development plan
TRANSCRIPT
AQUACULTURE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Updates and Focus on Workforce Development
Presented by David O’Brien (NOAA)Co-chair, NSTC Aquaculture Economic Development Task Force
Presentation Outline1. Updates on EDTF 2. Focus and request for MAFAC
assistance on seafood workforce development
EDTF UPDATES - * NEW MEMBERS
New members added. Full list of member agencies is: Department of Agriculture
Rural Development National Institute of Food and Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service Economic Research Service *
Department of Commerce NOAA – Office of Aquaculture NOAA – Sea Grant * Economic Development Administration * Minority Business Development Agency *
Environmental Protection Agency Fish and Wildlife Service Food and Drug Administration Department of State
EDTF Coordinator – Gabriela McMurtry (NOAA Office of Policy) *
Overarching goal - A robust and resilient domestic aquaculture sectorGoals1. Incentivize Industry Investment2. Support Infrastructure and Workforce Development3. Expand Market Opportunities for U.S. Aquaculture Products4. Support Aquaculture Communications and Literacy *5. Maximize Effectiveness of Federal Programs
* Refocus from the version presented in Fall 2020
GOALS
GOAL 5 - Maximize Effectiveness of Federal Programs
Goal 5 includes:➢ Catalog of federal programs -
Create a “front door” to quickly access the system of government programs that do or could support aquaculture
➢ NOAA published a Guide to Federal Programs and Servicesin May, 2021➢ Will be updated annually
Two complementary initiatives underway for workforce development
➢ Aquaculture EDTF - Educate and train a skilled aquaculture workforce (part of Goal 2)○ worker training ○ business planning and training
Sea Grant initiative to implement the Young Fisherman’s Act
Workforce Development
REQUESTS OF MAFAC
1. Review and comment on the Seafood Workforce Training Program Catalogue• Purpose - to catalogue all available programs
where the next generation of the aquaculture and fisheries workforce can gain its education and hands-on experience
• Will help to identify opportunities, gaps2. Provide any overarching recommendations to guide
NOAA’s efforts in the area of workforce development
