������Ƶ

Hawaii needs make it easier for people to get licenses and permits to produce farm-raised fish and other seafood if the state wants to increase aquaculture as an economic driver, according to a new strategic plan.

, released in mid-February, lists multiple recommendations for boosting the industry, including smoothing regulatory snags and attracting outside investors.��

DOA’s plan comes in the same month that for developing the national aquaculture economy in 40 years. While other countries have invested and profited significantly from aquaculture, the U.S. has paid little attention to the industry.  

The global industry is expected to be worth $262 billion by 2026 but the U.S. has lagged behind Asia, which continues to dominate the market. The U.S. was ranked 18th in the world in 2022. 

Hawaii was ranked seventh in the U.S. even though the island state is considered to have great potential to develop both onshore and offshore production. Instead, Hawaii still imports most of its fish.

The federal goals, as laid out in the report, include encouraging investment, developing infrastructure and the workforce, expanding market opportunities and increasing understanding of the sector. will be open for public comment until April 5.

Hawaii’s aquaculture industry could be worth $600 million within the next decade if it follows its current trajectory, according to Todd Low, who manages the DOA’s aquaculture and livestock support services.��

“Globally, aquaculture is gaining momentum and we hope that this plan will help the state direct its resources to also take advantage of that momentum,” Low said.

It is now time for the government to step in and step up, said Sen. Glenn Wakai.��

That starts with the DOA, which has lacked resources in the past. Out of about 270 DOA employees, only three are dedicated to aquaculture.

Now there needs to be greater collaboration between private industry, lawmakers and the department to implement the plan, Waikai said.

Wakai was not surprised by anything in the 111-page strategic plan. But, he said, it underscored his long-held view that Hawaii needs to look to the ocean for the future of its food system and its economy, while benefiting the environment at the same time. 

The strategic plan was created by The plan points out that the Hawaii tourism industry’s demand for farmed fish — if there was enough supply — could amount to $425 million in annual sales alone.��

Every dollar invested in increased aquaculture production returns $10 in benefits, such as job creation, according to the .��

But Hawaii has one of the “the most exhaustive regulatory frameworks in the world,” which has crippled the growth of the industry, the plan said. The slow and prohibitive permitting process can take years to complete.

Hawaii has had more success in research and development than commercial production, according to Tanja Hoel, director of Hatch Blue Norway and Hatch Innovation.

Most of Hawaii’s research facilities are “either at capacity, need to be expanded or are well underfunded,” which means that more investment in infrastructure is essential, the plan said.

“One of the key success factors is a highly engaged government sector,” Hoel said. “And it’s not only related to investment, but it’s also related to regulatory scheme.”

Countries such as Norway and New Zealand have been able to balance environmental regulations with promoting aquaculture, primarily through collaboration between government and industry.

But Hoel said interviews with people involved in aquaculture in Hawaii demonstrated that there’s a lack of communication between industry and government here.

“I think the commercial industry in Hawaii and the government kind of need to step it up a bit, and also take more responsibility,” Hoel said. 

That will require some investment on the government’s part though, along with a commitment from the DOA, according to Hoel and others.

Wakai and a few other lawmakers question whether DOA has put a high enough priority on aquaculture. He suggests oversight of the industry be transferred to a different agency because “there’s no urgency to get things done” at DOA.

He supports moving aquaculture efforts to the Agribusiness Development Corp.

Hoel said it was “a bit of a paradox” that legislation and investment to increase food production has focused on farming the land and that has leveraged Hawaii’s brand recognition.

“You have already a very strong kind of a brand on your food products,” Hoel said. “Why can’t you just kind of apply that to seafood?”

But DOA deputy director Dexter Kishida said he wants to finally turn those plans, and Hatch’s recommendations, into action.

The DOA is currently in the process of signing a with other state agencies that also have a role in the aquaculture industry.

Kishida said short-term recommendations for Hawaii’s industry – incentives, fixing regulatory barriers and supporting entrepreneurship – are within reach.��

The investment will come “if we can set the right environment” and set a foolproof step-by-step plan, he said.

“Let’s stop talking about it, let’s just fix it,” Kishida said.

“Hawaii Grown” is funded in part by grants from the Stupski Foundation, Ulupono Fund at the Hawaii Community Foundation and the Frost Family Foundation.