THE NOAA NATIONAL SHELLFISH INITIATIVE:  BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO MAXIMIZE THE ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF SHELLFISH

NOAA launched the National Shellfish Initiative (NSI) in 2011 with a dual purpose of stimulating coastal economies and improving ecosystem health.  The premise for the initiative is simple:  Shellfish provide a broad suite of economic, social, and environmental benefits, which accrue as a result of both sustainable commercial aquaculture and shellfish conservation.  These benefits include:  jobs and business opportunities; habitat for important commercial, recreational, and endangered and threatened species; recovery of populations of native shellfish species; more seafood to meet the growing consumer demand in today's market; nutrient removal and cleaner water; and shoreline protection.

The NSI is jointly managed by the NOAA Restoration Center and the Office of Aquaculture at NOAA Fisheries headquarters, with regional Restoration Center staff and Aquaculture Coordinators providing primary points of contact for potential partners (e.g., state and federal agencies, tribes, industry, restoration groups, and academia).  It is implemented by NOAA's existing staff, through federal mandates and grant programs, to further encourage and coordinate both shellfish restoration and environmentally sound commercial shellfish farming.  Areas for collaboration include marine planning and permitting; environmental research; restoration and farming techniques; and coordinated and innovative financing.

NOAA is an active partner in the Washington State Shellfish Initiative (established in 2011), is participating in efforts to create shellfish initiatives in other states (e.g., California, Oregon, Connecticut, Alaska, Hawaii), and welcome ideas for potential collaborations.