Port of San Diego Seeks Public Input on New Aquaculture Program

SAN DIEGO— The Port of San Diego is inviting public feedback on its proposed Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture Program, a key initiative aimed at fostering growth in the emerging aquaculture industry. This program is part of the port’s broader mission to advance scientific innovation and create new job opportunities. Aquaculture, the cultivation of aquatic organisms in marine and freshwater environments, is the focus of the the program, with an emphasis on shellfish and seaweed farming. The potential economic benefits are significant. In 2021, California’s shellfish aquaculture production alone was valued at over $7.8 million, according to the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. While the value of seaweed production is still being assessed, the port has seen success in this area through its Blue Economy Incubator. Notably, Sunken Seaweed, a local seaweed farm, currently produces 500 pounds of edible seaweed each week. “The Port of San Diego is a proven economic engine not just for our region, but for the entire state of California,” said Frank Urtasun, chairman of the agency’s Board of Port Commissioners. “By pursuing the development of a viable aquaculture industry locally, we aim to expand the port’s economic impact by creating more jobs and businesses that will benefit...