The United States is the top seafood importer in the world. Nevertheless, opportunities to expand national seafood production, such as offshore aquaculture, are restricted by unclear frameworks for licensing, permitting, and regulating new enterprises. Currently, domestic mussel demand is reliant upon international trade but demand could be met by aquaculture within the Exclusive Economic Zone, especially in suitable areas off the Northeast coast. With national public seafood preferences pointing towards the need for a larger mussel farming industry, science‐based efforts to develop offshore farming will contribute to local economies and domestic supply of high‐quality, traceable seafood. Beyond a scientific foundation, perceptions that offshore farming represents environmental and privatization threats instead of a national economic development and sustainable opportunity, will have to be addressed. The situation will only change when managers decide to include offshore aquaculture as one of the many legitimate activities for New England's ocean waters, so that spatial planning can be done and conservation measures and offshore farming develop in tandem.

中文翻译：

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美国东北部专属经济区的贻贝养殖：一个机会实在不容忽视

美国是世界上最大的海鲜进口国。但是，由于不清楚的许可，许可和监管新企业框架，限制了扩大国家海鲜生产（如近海水产养殖）的机会。目前，国内贻贝的需求依赖于国际贸易，但是专属经济区内的水产养殖可以满足需求，特别是在东北沿海以外的合适地区。随着国家对公共海鲜的偏好指出了对更大的贻贝养殖业的需求，基于科学的努力发展近海养殖将为当地经济和国内高质量，可追溯的海鲜供应做出贡献。除了科学基础，必须解决以下观念，即认为远洋养殖业对环境和私有化构成威胁，而不是对国民经济发展和可持续机会的威胁。只有当管理者决定将海上水产养殖作为新英格兰海洋水域的众多合法活动之一时，情况才会改变，以便可以进行空间规划，并同时开展保护措施和海上养殖。