Accurate and reliable measurements are essential to aquaculture—from monitoring water quality and system health to ensuring seafood safety, product authenticity, and consumer confidence. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. national metrology institute, supports these needs by developing and maintaining Reference Materials (RMs) and Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) that provide traceability, comparability, and confidence in analytical results.
NIST offers a growing suite of seafood-relevant materials, including SRM 1947a Great Lakes Fish Tissue, SRM 2983 Inorganics in Geoduck Clam Tissue, RMs 8256/8257 Wild Caught/ Aquacultured Coho Salmon, RMs 8258/8259 Wild Caught /Aquacultured Shrimp, SRMs 1974c/2974a Mussel Tissue, and SRM 3275 Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Fish Oil. These materials support measurements of nutrients, contaminants, fatty acids, and other analytes critical to aquaculture research, food safety, and regulatory compliance. Additional materials, such as sediments, kelp, and krill oil, expand the applicability across aquaculture processes.
This presentation will highlight how to select and apply NIST reference materials, interpret certificates of analysis, and integrate RMs into quality control strategies and proficiency testing programs. Just as importantly, it will emphasize how farmers, researchers, policymakers, and consumers benefit from trustworthy data.
By engaging with the aquaculture community, NIST aims to identify emerging needs and expand its portfolio of reference materials. These efforts will enhance measurement reliability, strengthen consumer trust, and promote sustainable growth in this rapidly evolving sector.