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1960s
Commercial shrimp farming develops in Japan, Ecuador and U.S. Sea bass production begins in the Mediterranean. First commercial salmon farms are established in Norway and Scotland. -
1970s
U.S. catfish farm acreage grows from 400 acres in 1960 to 40,000 in 1970. After nearly collapsing due to disease and a saturated world salmon market, Norway grows to become the world’s top salmon-farming nation. -
1980s
The National Aquaculture Act of 1980 is passed in the US to provide for the development of the aquaculture industry. Sturgeon farming begins in California. The commercial farming of hard clams, or quahogs, begins in New England. -
1990s
Shrimp farming collapses because of a disease. -
2000s
Salmon farmers in Maine are in violation of the Clean Water Act and ordered to cease the use of European strains of fish at their farms. Commercially farmed cod available in the US for the first time. -
Present
Now Aquaculture is providing half of the seafood we consume and it is growing steadily.