WASHINGTON -U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will host a two-day Aquaculture Economic Business Summit, June 26-27 in Washington, D.C. Gutierrez will give keynote remarks on Tuesday, June 26, on the economic importance of promoting safe and sustainable quaculture and the necessity to meet the United States growing demand for seafood. James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House's Council on Environmental Quality will be the featured speaker on Wednesday, June 27.

The summit presents a unique opportunity for aquaculture business leaders to help drive the seafood farming industry forward to meet the U.S. economic and environmental needs.

Congress is currently considering the Administration's National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007. The bill will help open the door for marine aquaculture and expand business opportunity in federal waters off U.S. coasts.

Seafood contributes over $8 billion to the United States' trade deficit. America imports 80 percent of its seafood and almost half of that is from aquaculture. A robust offshore aquaculture industry will help reverse this and will help drive economic growth.

Tuesday, June 26
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
The Time is Now: Why the United States Should Embrace Aquaculture

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
U.S. Aquaculture Investment Opportunities and Constraints

LOCATION:
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Pavilion Room - 2nd Floor
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Wednesday, June 27
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Developing Aquaculture: What the Federal Government Can Do

11:25 a.m. - 12:40 p.m.
Economic Incentives & Research & Development for Aquaculture

1:10 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.
Scientific Research Priorities

LOCATION:
Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
Pavilion Room - 2nd Floor
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004

Summit registration is free, but attendees must register in advance by contacting Susan Buchanan at 301-713-2370 or susan.buchanan@noaa.gov. Advanced interviews with panelists and NOAA and Department of Commerce leadership may also be scheduled through Susan Buchanan.