USSEC was recognized for its valuable contributions to the advancement of responsible aquaculture on March 7 at the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) meeting during the Seafood Expo North America in Boston, Massachusetts.
GAA showed immense gratitude toward the U.S. Soy industry for its support through the USSEC aquaculture program over the years.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was also signed between GAA and Federación Colombiana de Acuicultores (FEDEACUA) for the Best Aquaculture Practices certification to work with USSEC to help certify Colombian fish producers.
About the event, David Williams, United Soybean Board (USB) Director and Michigan soybean farmer, stated, "With the global demand for seafood quickly rising and the health considerations of eating less red meat, aquaculture is the next big thing for the U.S. soybean industry. I think aquaculture provides a rapidly  expanding market for increased soybean usage."
Since 1995, global aquaculture production has grown at an average annual rate of 10 to 11 percent and is projected to double in the next 30 years to help meet growing demand. With wild-caught fishmeal and fish oil sources already at capacity, soy has become a dominant protein ingredient in aquafeeds. And with U.S. Soy now making up nearly 40 percent of the soy used in these feeds, the U.S. has solidified its position as a dominant player in the global aquaculture market.
The International Soy in Aquaculture Program of the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has helped to guide the research program of the United Soybean Board by identifying critical industry research needs in fish nutrition, and through its commercial testing and demonstrations of diets for a wide variety of farmed species.