California aquaculture produces a variety of products.
In recognition of Aquaculture Awareness Week, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) offers 10 interesting facts that show how aquaculture – the practice of farming aquatic organisms – affects every Californian.
- California aquaculture industry is diverse, providing much more than just food for dinner. It also produces aquatic pets such as goldfish and koi, algae for biofuels, zebrafish for biomedical research, spirulina for vitamin supplements and more.
- California’s 150 registered aquaculturists aren’t just located on the shoreline. You’ll find them throughout the state — from the high Sierra to inland valleys, from the deserts to the coast. They operate in 50 of the state’s 58 counties, accounting for some $140 million in economic benefit.
- The California Shellfish Initiative is a collaborative effort among government and private partners to help local growers meet the increasing demand for shellfish, thus decreasing the need for imports and lowering our carbon footprint. California shellfish aquaculture contributes $25 million to the economy, providing jobs and resilient working waterfronts. Continue reading
Aquaculture plays an important role in feeding our world’s growing population, yet a recent survey found that most seafood consumers have little knowledge about aquaculture practices and don’t fully understand what seafood labels mean. This gap in knowledge can lead to misconceptions about aquaculture, reinforcing the need for more public education and outreach as to why aquaculture matters. Read the 
Aquaculture Matters 