The University of New Hampshire, the Canadian Consulate General and the National Research Council of Canada are teaming up to host “Technology Partnership in Sustainable and Open Ocean Aquaculture,” a workshop to be held Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 1 and 2, at UNH.

Aquaculture now accounts for nearly 50 percent of the world supply of seafood production. As the global appetite for seafood continues to rise, several countries have begun to explore the potential of farming finfish and shellfish offshore. The workshop will bring together U.S. and Canadian scientists, environmentalists, business leaders and government representatives to discuss its challenges and opportunities.

“Offshore aquaculture has a great deal of potential, but for it to succeed, we need to work together, across national borders and disciplines,” says Richard Langan, director of the newly established UNH Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center, in a press release from the University. “The workshop is an opportunity to share ideas, develop joint ventures, and plan strategies to address the challenges of offshore aquaculture.” The newly established Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center is a partnership of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and UNH, dedicated to the development of sustainable aquaculture practices and technology.

Workshop participants will explore environmental considerations related to offshore aquaculture, regulatory issues, technology development and fish husbandry. Researchers and industry representatives have agreed to discuss research and development priorities that will enable commercial development of open ocean aquaculture in the near future.