FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New Report Details Roadmap for Growing a Resilient Aquaculture Sector in Oregon
Set of 12 recommendations address public perception, permitting, building partnerships and more

Portland, Ore. — December 16th, 2025 — The Oregon Aquaculture Association (OAA) released Oregon Aquaculture: Current Landscape and a Roadmap for Growth, a new report outlining key recommendations to strengthen and expand Oregon’s aquaculture industry.

As the aquaculture sector grows rapidly around the world, this roadmap, developed with support from Ecotrust and Oregon Sea Grant, highlights Oregon’s opportunity to diversify production, support habitat restoration, create jobs, and contribute to a more resilient regional food system.

“Oregon’s aquaculture sector is relatively small compared to its neighbors, centered mainly on coastal oyster farms and public salmon hatcheries. There is room to grow while creating co-benefits for nature and people,” says Jon Bonkoski, Ecotrust Vice President of Coastal Communities & Fisheries and OAA board member. The state also hosts a handful inland finfish producers (raising trout, sturgeon, and tilapia), along with one sea urchin ranching operation and one land-based seaweed farm. Despite its modest scale, Oregon’s abundant natural resources, strong research institutions, and collaborative culture provide a robust foundation for sustainable industry growth. OAA is well-positioned to help lead this progress in partnership with producers, communities, Tribes, and public agencies.

The roadmap presents 12 recommendations to advance the aquaculture sector, including strengthening producer representation, improving public understanding of aquaculture, deepening Tribal collaboration, streamlining permitting, advancing seaweed cultivation, promoting innovation, and expanding support for new and small producers.

Implementation will take place in phases as OAA collaborates with partners statewide to align resources and build consensus. “Broad engagement and coalition-building will be essential to growing a responsible and productive aquaculture sector in Oregon, and OAA is ready to take a leadership role,” said Randy Bentz, President of the Oregon Aquaculture Association and owner/operator of Blue Den Ranch.

The roadmap aligns with the goals of Governor Kotek’s recent Executive Order (25-26), which calls for greater climate resilience across Oregon’s working lands, waters, and communities. Aquaculture can help us meet these goals, presenting opportunities to steward Oregon’s waters while creating jobs and contributing to a resilient regional food system.

​Read the roadmap here.

For media inquiries, contact: Kellen Parrish at [email protected]; Megan Foucht at [email protected]; Jon Bonkoski at [email protected]

About Oregon Aquaculture Association
The Oregon Aquaculture Association promotes aquatic animal, plant, and algae production and education to further expand the availability and knowledge of sustainably-raised, healthy, and nutritious consumer products while conserving Oregon’s natural resources.

About Ecotrust
At Ecotrust, we work in partnership toward the vision of a more just, prosperous, and climate-smart future. With more than 30 projects from California to Alaska, our approach focuses on impact at the intersections of equity, the economy, and the environment in pursuit of radical, practical change. We welcome you to join us at ecotrust.org.

About Oregon Sea Grant
Headquartered at Oregon State University since 1971, Oregon Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs in the U.S. under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Oregon Sea Grant funds research and scholarships, supports coastal communities, provides marine education opportunities, and manages the public education wing of the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.

USGCRP is hosting a series of webinars on the findings of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). The NCA5 chapter webinars are an opportunity for you to hear about the findings of each chapter from the authors themselves. Each virtual one-hour event is expected to include some time for Q&A. If you have any questions regarding a past or future webinar, please contact Laurie Howell. If you are interested in learning about other opportunities related to the NCA5, please subscribe to USGCRP's newsletter.
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A full listing of these webinars, taking place from November 27 through March 15, are listed below. Additional details can be viewed here.​

The Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) highlights adaptation, carbon reduction strategies for reducing risks

​Some of the key findings from the report are: 

• Actions taken now to accelerate net emissions reductions and adaptation to ongoing changes can reduce risks for current and future generations.
• Climate change exacerbates long-standing social inequities experienced by underserved and overburdened communities, contributing to persistent disparities in the resources needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate impacts. Low-income and communities of color face higher risks of illness and death from extreme heat, climate-drive floods and air pollution compared with White people, and often lack access to adequate flood infrastructure, green spaces, safe housing and often lack protective resources.
• Climate change is harming physical, mental, spiritual and community health and well-being. 
• The impacts of extreme climate events are costing the nation an estimated $150 billion each year. With every increment of global warming, costly damages are expected to accelerate. For example, 2 degrees Fahrenheit of warming is projected to cause more than twice the economic harm induced by 1 degree F of warming. High annual temperatures and tropical cyclones are associated with lower growth in GDP.
• Climate action can result in near-term benefits that outweigh the costs, with the potential to improve well-being, strengthen resilience, benefit the economy and redress legacies of racism and injustice.
• Acre for acre, Blue Carbon Ecosystems, such as sea grasses, mangroves and saltmarshes, are estimated to store about twice as much carbon below ground than terrestrial vegetation. With conservation and restoration, these ecosystems could sequester enough carbon each year to offset about 3 percent of global emissions (based on 2019 and 2020 emissions).
• By 2050 and by 2100, sea level rise under the Intermediate Sea Level Scenario, is projected to be higher along the Atlantic (about 1.25 and 4 feet, respectively) versus Pacific coast (0.75 and 3 feet), and greatest along the western Gulf coast(2 and 5 feet).
• Hurricanes have been intensifying more rapidly since the 1980s and causing heavier rainfall and higher storm surges due to climate change. There is no long-term trend in the frequency of landfalling hurricanes in the U.S. since the late 19th century, but there has been an increase in hurricane activity in the North Atlantic since the early 1970s.
• Climate change has impacted commercial marine fisheries in every region of the U.S. by altering the availability and quality of harvested species, destabilizing fisheries-related revenue and employment, and causing new management challenges. 
• While climate change is not the sole driver affecting fish populations, it is an added stressor that exacerbates other negative impacts. 
• Over the next century, climate change is expected to reduce fish and shellfish catch in all U.S. regions, including some of the highest-valued fisheries...

Read more

Courtesy of NAA:
On Tuesday, the Fifth National Climate Assessment was released.

The Fifth National Climate Assessment is the US Government’s report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses. It is a congressionally mandated interagency effort that provides the scientific foundation to support informed decision-making across the United States.

Within the report, the authors note:
“…farmers, ranchers, and fishers have always faced unpredictable weather, climate change heightens risks in many ways:

• Increasing temperatures, along with changes in precipitation, reduce productivity, yield, and nutritional content of many crops. These changes can introduce disease, disrupt pollination, and result in crop failure, outweighing potential benefits of longer growing seasons and increased CO2 fertilization. {11.1, 19.1, 21.1, 22.4, 23.3, 24.1, 26.2}
• Heavy rain and more frequent storms damage crops and property and contaminate water supplies. Longer-lasting droughts and larger wildfires reduce forage production and nutritional quality, diminish water supplies, and increase heat stress on livestock. {23.2, 25.3, 28.3}
• Increasing water temperatures, invasive aquatic species, harmful algal blooms, and ocean acidification and deoxygenation put fisheries at risk. Fishery collapses can result in large economic losses, as well as loss of cultural identity and ways of life. {11.3, 29.3}

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In response, some farmers and ranchers are adopting innovations—such as agroecological practices, data-driven precision agriculture, and carbon monitoring—to improve resilience, enhance soil carbon storage, and reduce emissions.”

Aquaculture misinformation online and on social media has become a significant issue for our industry, with inaccurate and sensationalized content circulating widely, often influencing public perceptions and decisions. Common false information often includes inaccurate claims about the use of antibiotics, poor husbandry practices, negative impacts on other ecosystems, misleading information about the nutritional value of farmed fish, and so much more. We've all seen it - and we need to start doing something about it!
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Addressing this misinformation and encouraging a more accurate understanding of aquaculture's complexities and benefits has become crucial to the survival of our industry. Thankfully, many online and social media platforms have begun taking the spread of misinformation more seriously.

So what do we do? Below is a brief guide, focused on social media, of how to both report misinformation online and better represent the industry with facts, benefits, and increased transparency.


Represent the Industry with Positivity and Transparency
Not all of us have the time or resources to continually create content online and on social media. But for those who do, below are some quick tips to help represent our industry online by increasing transparency and delivering an engaging, unified message about aquaculture:
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1. Visual Storytelling:
   • Use compelling visuals, such as high-quality images and videos, to tell the story of aquaculture practices, emphasizing sustainability, responsible farming, and positive contributions to communities.
2. Educational Content:
   • Share informative and educational content about the aquaculture process, its benefits, and its role in addressing global food security.
3. Engage with Followers:
   • Foster engagement by responding to comments, messages, and questions from followers. Encourage a positive and open dialogue to address concerns and provide additional information.
4. Highlight Industry Innovations:
   • Showcase technological advancements, innovations, and research within the aquaculture sector to demonstrate a commitment to progress and sustainability.
5. Feature Farmers and Industry Experts:
   • Feature profiles and stories of individual farmers, industry experts, and researchers to humanize the industry and showcase the people behind aquaculture success.
6. Promote Sustainability Practices:
   • Emphasize the industry's commitment to sustainability by highlighting eco-friendly practices, waste reduction efforts, and conservation initiatives.
7. Utilize Hashtags Strategically:
   • Create and use relevant hashtags to increase visibility and encourage user-generated content related to positive aspects of aquaculture. (See the footer of our newsletter for some hashtag examples.)
8. Collaborate with Influencers:
   • Partner with influencers, scientists, and other thought leaders in the field to expand your reach and lend credibility to your social media messaging.
9. Participate in Industry Events:
   • Live-post from industry events, conferences, and trade shows to showcase the latest trends, technologies, and discussions within the aquaculture community.
10. Address Concerns Transparently:
    • Address common misconceptions and concerns transparently, providing evidence-based information to build trust and credibility.
11. Community Involvement:
    • Highlight community engagement initiatives, showcasing how the aquaculture industry positively contributes to local communities through job creation, economic development, and support for social causes.
12. Celebrate Milestones and Achievements:
    • Share accomplishments, milestones, and success stories within the industry to celebrate progress and showcase positive impacts.

Report Misinformation
Many online and social media platforms have begun taking the spread of misinformation much more seriously. It is up to us, as industry professionals, to report misinformation when we see it. Below are instructions on how to report misinformation on today's most popular platforms:

Instagram

1. Click the three dots above the post.
2. Click Report.
3. Scroll down and click False information.
4. Select an option, then click Submit report.

View additional information about reporting on Instagram here.

Facebook

1. Click the three dots next to the post you'd like to mark as false.
2. Click Report post.
3. Click False information, then select the kind of false information.
4. Click Submit.

View additional information about reporting on Facebook here.

X (formerly Twitter)

1. Navigate to the post you’d like to report.
2. Tap the icon located at the top of the post.
3. Select Report post and follow through the steps so we can gather all the relevant information about the issue.

View additional information about reporting on X here.

TikTok

1. Go to the video you need to report.
2. Press and hold on the video.
3. Select Report and follow the instructions provided.

View additional information about reporting on TikTok here.

LinkedIn

1. Click the More icon in the right corner of the post on your LinkedIn homepage.
2. Click Report this post.
3. Select the applicable reason from the Why are you reporting this? pop-up window and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Click Submit to proceed with reporting the post, or Back to review your options.

View additional information about reporting on LinkedIn here.
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YouTube

1. Go to the video that you want to report.
2. Below the video, click More and then Report .
3. Select the reason that best fits the violation in the video.
4. Click NEXT.
5. Give any other details that may help the review team make their decision.
6. Include timestamps or descriptions of the violation, if possible.
7. Click REPORT.

View additional information about reporting on YouTube here.

NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program offers educators a unique opportunity to join NOAA scientists aboard an ocean research vessel as a member of the science team. Since 1990, more than 850 teachers have sailed on NOAA surveys monitoring our nation’s fisheries, measuring physical and chemical ocean trends, and charting unknown regions of the seafloor.

Participants return to their classrooms with first-hand accounts of what it’s like to live and work at sea, illustrated by photos, blogs, and lesson plans. Their personal connections to NOAA’s science and stewardship help Teachers at Sea communicate the importance of NOAA’s mission to communities across the nation...
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Read more and apply here.

Courtesy of NAA:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has posted to their website today the following: 

“In accordance with the Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution, Public Law 118-15 (Sept. 30, 2023), transporters of livestock and insects are not required to have an electronic logging device. The statutory exemption will remain in place until further notice. Drivers do not need to carry any documentation regarding this exemption.”
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The notice is posted here: Livestock and Insect Haulers | FMCSA (dot.gov). The National Aquaculture Association recommends long-haul, commercial motor vehicle aquaculture livestock haulers print out and provide this notice to their drivers to be carried with them while on-the-road.

Courtesy of NAA:
Join Dr. Matt Parker for an upcoming University of Maryland webinar where he will  discuss how to interpret results from the University of Maryland Online Economic Spreadsheet Tool for Oyster Aquaculture.

This new tool provides a variety of information that can be used for business planning and funding applications.
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View the tool online before the webinar. 

The webinar will explain how to interpret financial metrics such as net present value, modified internal rate of return, payback period, and cash flow. The webinar will also discuss how to interpret how risky the modeled shellfish business may be based on the inputs provided by the user.

The NMFS-Sea Grant Joint Fellowship Program in Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics places Ph.D. students in research-based fellowships that provide support for up to three years. The program is designed to fulfill workforce development needs identified by the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and since 1999, has provided opportunities for 167 Ph.D. students.

The opportunity to apply for 2024 fellowships is now open. Applications are due to Sea Grant programs on January 25, 2024.

Learn more about the fellowship program

Get started on your application with:

• 2024 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowship Student Guide
• Student Applicant Guide to Sea Grant Fellowships
• NMFS-Sea Grant 2024 Fellowship informational webinar on November 13, 2023 at 2 PM ET - Register here
• Office hours, where anyone can ask questions, on November 14, 2023 from 12-1 PM ET and 3-4 PM ET - Attend here

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Questions? Contact your local Sea Grant Program or the National Sea Grant Office at [email protected] / (240) 507-3712.