Aquaculture in Michigan

Ron Kinnunen, Michigan State University Extension -

State agencies work with aquaculture sector to develop a roadmap through regulation.

Aquaculture in Michigan (AIM) is a committee that has been working the last couple of years to help develop a streamlined roadmap through regulation to help foster new aquaculture development in Michigan. Michigan’s aquaculture industry has not experienced any significant growth in many years and it would help Michigan’s economy if existing aquaculture enterprises could expand or new businesses have startups in the state. State agencies serving on this committee include the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Other participants on the committee include representatives from the Michigan Aquaculture Association, current and perspective aquaculture businesses, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan State University Extension and Michigan Sea Grant. Originz, LLC has led this effort and they are also leading Michigan Sea Grant’s Aquaculture Integrated Assessment Project.

The focus has been to develop a simplified process for use by enterprises interested in developing aquaculture businesses in Michigan and accessing pertinent information, including a roadmap through regulations and access to government agencies. There is also a need for cataloguing near-term commercial fish farming opportunities that can demonstrate quick success at growing the aquaculture sector. Simplification is recommended for policy, regulation, and legislation to bring clarity for aquaculture operators desiring to grow or start new ventures in Michigan.

There is a growing interest in aquaculture development in Michigan. The Aquaculture in Michigan stakeholders are extremely interested to show quick success, but it will no doubt take some time. Developing aquaculture in the United States has been a tremendous challenge over the last 50 years as we do not have enough commercial critical mass to get the needed clear vision in the areas of regulation and finance. The roadmap through regulation and the Aquaculture in Michigan process have helped make positive strides in the direction needed to help make aquaculture a viable industry in Michigan.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • fisheries & wildlife,
  • msu extension,
  • natural resources
  • follow us on youtube
  • follow us on linkedin
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).