Supporting scenario for small-scale shellfish aquaculture and food security in the United States of America

Small-scale aquaculture (SSA) is still far behind other forms of aquaculture in recognition and focused strategic policy at the global and local levels, despite contributing over 40% to seafood production together with small-scale fisheries. In addition, global food security is a pressing issue and its management is part of an ambitious international goal involving both economically developed and developing countries, with the need for policy coordination across several sectors. One of the most sustainably farmed seafood groups and that attracts investment as small operations is suspension-feeding shellfish (bivalves), which are in the spotlight for scalability as future food. Therefore, reporting on small-scale seafood farming operations and the aforementioned sustainable species' contributions to seafood security is both crucial and timely. This article provides a review of the favorable environment for small-scale shellfish aquaculture (SSSA) in the context of the largest world economy and major seafood consumer, the United States of America, based on the IYAFA Global Action Plan. In summary, the review analysis indicated that basic data and supporting structure for SSSA are often missing within the United States of America. Thus, SSSA’s long-standing sustainability will depend on strategic courses of action, which are discussed in hopes of serving also as a starting point for the SSA sector recognition in other nations.