Location: Animal Production and Protection
Project Number: 0500-00111-001-002-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
Strengthen the U.S. shellfish aquaculture community by sustaining and expanding an established online collaboration network that promotes information sharing, stakeholder engagement, technology transfer, and coordination among researchers, industry representatives, extension personnel, producers, and government partners.
Approach:
Build upon the successful online community established under a previous agreement by maintaining and enhancing the existing communication platform and expanding participation from industry, academic, extension, and government stakeholders. Continue partnerships with NOAA, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Regional Aquaculture Centers, and other organizations to facilitate timely exchange of research findings, best management practices, workforce development resources, regulatory information, and emerging industry priorities. The platform will promote technology transfer and adoption of research-based innovations by connecting producers, researchers, extension specialists, and industry partners to address production challenges and emerging opportunities. Activities will increase stakeholder engagement, strengthen collaboration across regions and sectors, improve dissemination of information supporting sustainable production, and enhance the long-term competitiveness, resilience, and growth of the U.S. shellfish aquaculture industry relative to foreign producers.