Fishing and seafood consumption permeate society and culture in many parts of the world. However, the U.S. has witnessed a decline of many of its major fisheries at the same time seafood consumption is on the rise, and seafood safety is a growing concern as international trade increases and fish diseases and contamination become bigger problems. This decline has prompted organizations to further explore and invest in aquaculture. UH Sea Grant has served as a leader in the support and development of sustainable aquaculture in Hawai‘i and the Pacific for more than 40 years.

Preserving Island Heritage
Through innovative research, outreach and education, UH Sea Grant supports the sustainable, culturally sensitive aquaculture practices of the past and recognizes their significance within communities of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. For example, UH Sea Grant aquaculture extension specialists have been working closely with community groups to restore Native Hawaiian fishponds throughout the state and teaching others to carry on this tradition.

Supporting Local Farmers
UH Sea Grant extension faculty provide farmers with the consultation services and scientific expertise necessary in maintaining a healthy, viable and productive aquaculture business. By remaining abreast of the latest developments, UH Sea Grant extension faculty maintain a current perspective on aquaculture trends and opportunities and responds to over two thousand requests for assistance or information every year.

Building Local Capacity
UH Sea Grant plays a vital role in the development of local human resources and organizational and institutional development within the field of aquaculture. By supporting a growing number of undergraduate and graduate students as well as providing technical expertise to the aquaculture industry, UH Sea Grant is helping to ensure a highly skilled, technologically capable workforce to lead us into the future.

Industry Diversification and Global Connectedness
UH Sea Grant supports the development of new technologies and participates in collaborative efforts to increase the range of seafood products produced, enhancing American competitiveness in global markets.

Sea Grant Contributions to Hawai‘i and the Western Pacific Region:
Building the Future on Successes of the Past

• Open-Ocean Aquaculture
UH Sea Grant was instrumental in developing the first successful commercial open-ocean aquaculture cage in the nation. In partnership with Oceanic Institute it pioneered the first offshore aquaculture test facility that used state-of-the-art technologies to harvest Pacific threadfin (moi), and the technology has now been adopted by regions throughout the world.

• New Facility at UH Hilo
UH Sea Grant, in partnership with PACRC, conceived of and built a new pearl oyster hatchery and marine ornamental fish research facility at UH Hilo. As a result, students, industry members, community members and other researchers now have aquaculture facilities and equipment at which to build skills and conduct training and research in pearl oyster culture and marine ornamental fish mariculture.

• Aquaculture in American Samoa
In partnership with Congresseman Eni Hunkin Faleomavaega and the American Samoa Community College (ASCC), UH Sea Grant provided the expertise and resources necessary to establish the first UH Sea Grant aquaculture extension agent position in American Samoa.

• Pearl Farming in Micronesia
UH Sea Grant has been instrumental in developing the pearl farming industry in Micronesia. Three large commercial farms and seven small farms now operate successfully, and three other communities have been assisted with obtaining funding to start pearl farming operations.

• Backyard Aquaculture
To help move toward a more traditional diet while also reducing household expenses, UH Sea Grant trained Native Hawaiian families on how to produce fish and vegetables in their backyard using low cost, small-scale integrated aquaculture-agriculture systems.