Aquaculture

The NSGLC provides non-advocacy legal research, education, and outreach that deepens understanding of existing legal frameworks governing domestic aquaculture production. These services inform the development of effective policies and management programs to support sustainable growth in a critical U.S. industry. Read about our aquaculture collaborations and projects below.

State Marine Aquaculture Policy

In partnership with Lester Lab at Florida Sea University, the NSGLC conducts research to increase the accessibility and usability of state marine aquaculture data. The NSGLC and FSU also organize workshops to bring together state aquaculture managers, Sea Grant extension agents, and representatives from federal agencies to learn about state aquaculture programs and best policies practices.

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Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative

The Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC), led by Minnesota Sea Grant, was awarded funding from the National Sea Grant Office to increase aquaculture literacy and to continue development of an environmentally responsible, competitive, and sustainable aquaculture industry in the Great Lakes region. As one of the GLAC 2.0 partners, the NSGLC compiled an inventory of the aquaculture laws, regulations, and policies for each of the Great Lakes states and undertook an analysis of the compiled laws to identify commonalities, differences, and gaps across the Great Lakes states that may present barriers to aquaculture in the region. The summary report of research findings linked below will help enhance understanding of the legal framework governing aquaculture in the Great Lakes. As part of GLAC 3.0, the NSGLC is assisting with aquaculture literacy and communication efforts among state regulatory agencies and private aquaculture producers.

Aquaculture Regulation in the Great Lakes

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Southeast Aquaculture Communication Collaborative

The Southeast Aquaculture Communication Collaborative (SACC) is a three-year, NOAA-funded initiative led by Florida Sea Grant and the National Sea Grant Law Center, with collaborative members from Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi-Alabama. As part of the project, NSGLC is assisting with aquaculture literacy and communication efforts for local government officials.The SACC has an online platform to educate the public on aquaculture and seafood, providing approachable science-backed information for a wide audience, including students, children, educators, seafood consumers, and policymakers.

Maine Shellfish Restoration Report

In 2025, the National Sea Grant Law Center received funding from The Nature Conservancy to conduct a legal analysis of existing Maine law to understand current barriers to and opportunities for permitting shellfish restoration projects. As part of this project, the Law Center also reviewed the permitting process for restoration projects in other coastal states and provided updates on the 2014 state-by-state review of shellfish restoration permitting. 

Maine Shellfish Restoration Report