Port of San Diego Seeks Public Input on Proposed Aquaculture Program

As a part of its mission to advance science and promote the growth of emerging industries with strong potential for job creation, the Port of San Diego is actively advancing aquaculture through its proposed Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Program (SSAP). Aquaculture is the cultivation, or farming, of aquatic organisms in marine and fresh-water environments. The Port is looking to exclusively focus on the cultivation of shellfish and seaweed.

In 2021, the value of California's shellfish aquaculture production exceeded $7.8 million (according to California Department of Fish & Wildlife). This number does not include the economic benefit from jobs or other multipliers, just the value of shellfish. The value from seaweed production is not yet known, but the Port has already seen some success stories through investments in two aquaculture businesses through its Blue Economy Incubator, which includes Sunken Seaweed, a seaweed farm that produces 500 pounds of edible seaweed a week.

"The Port of San Diego is a proven and measurable economic engine not only for our region, but for the entire state of California," said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. "Through continued innovation and bold thinking like the pursuit of establishing a viable aquaculture industry locally, we will further advance the Port's economic impact by creating more jobs and businesses that benefit our local economy."

It is well recognized that shellfish and seaweed aquaculture in California are poised for growth, however the permitting and environmental review processes serve as significant barriers to implementation, and the State of California has not issued a new aquaculture lease in over 30 years. While many are working to improve these processes, organizations like the Port can play a unique role in helping to minimize these barriers to entry. With the region's temperate climate, proximity to markets, and existing shore-side infrastructure, along with the Port's roles as manager, landlord, regulator, and environmental steward, the SSAP is being developed to support future growth of shellfish and seaweed aquaculture in and around San Diego Bay.

As a port of communities, public and stakeholder input is important in the development of the SSAP. A discussion draft of the proposed SSAP is now available for review. This initial review period is open for 60 days. The discussion draft includes an overview of policies, procedures, and best practices that the Port would apply when considering future shellfish and seaweed aquaculture proposals for both in-water and land operations. Stakeholder engagement and feedback on the SSAP are essential to this process. Comments, data and discussions on potential opportunities or gaps in the SSAP Discussion Draft are welcome. After the comment period closes, Port staff will review the comments and prepare an updated draft of the SSAP. The process to develop the SSAP is designed to be continual and responsive to feedback. Comments on the SSAP Discussion Draft are being accepted through October 25, 2024. For more information on the SSAP, visit https://www.portofsandiego.org/aquaculture. To submit comments on the SSAP Discussion Draft, email them to [email protected].