The University of New Hampshire has been selected to help lead a growing effort to expand responsibly harvested, local seafood production.

American demand for seafood is rising but many popular products, including shrimp and salmon, are imported. At the same time, more consumers are paying closer attention to the health and origin of their food.

David Fredriksson, director of the Center for Sustainable Seafood Systems at the university, said new federal funding will help develop regional hubs for finfish aquaculture, with a focus on native species.

“I think the American people are going to be more inclined to accept their neighbors doing this type of thing than a big corporation doing this type of thing,” Fredriksson contended.

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The university will collaborate with universities in Hawaii, Florida and elsewhere to help reduce America’s seafood trade deficit, which is more than $20 billion, by boosting the domestic supply. In the Northeast, Fredriksson noted, it means a greater focus on steelhead trout.

More than $13 million in initial funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will support research aimed at making finfish aquaculture safer and more environmentally friendly. Industrial-scale finfish farms have been shown to harm surrounding ecosystems through the use of antibiotics and the accumulation of fish waste on the ocean floor.

Fredriksson stressed it is important new aquaculture efforts do not compete with active local fisheries. He added the goal is to make fishing communities more resilient and give fishers more options if catch limits leave them needing additional income.

“This would potentially provide another avenue for that person, who has their boat and their fishing gear, to potentially supplement their income with a closer-to-shore, responsible way of raising seafood,” he emphasized.

Fredriksson pointed out building aquaculture systems at a community scale could also allow local fishers and lobstermen to harvest farm-raised oysters or mussels. Both are expanding industries in New Hampshire, benefiting coastal communities, creating jobs and supporting economic growth.