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This White Paper explores developments in science and technology that could support a sustainable, competitive open ocean aquaculture industry in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

EDF is working to build support among ocean, coastal, and seafood stakeholders and policy makers to establish a rigorous, science-based environmental and social regulatory framework that provides a predictable environment for business investment, protects ocean health, and supports equitable outcomes for coastal communities and individuals working throughout the seafood industry.

This EDF white paper draws conclusions primarily from the escapes of marine finfish farmed in their current natural range or their native ocean basin that would be relevant to marine species and operations expected to be reared in U.S. offshore waters.

Growing a sustainable U.S. aquaculture sector to meet that projected demand will require focusing on the sustainability of the feed that supplies 70 percent of farmed seafood globally.

Many landfills bordering American neighborhoods and commercial areas release dangerous pollution that contributes to climate change and impacts human health. An interactive map from EDF shows individual landfill location and emission levels across the United States and its territories.

Environmental Defense Fund unveiled a new map and analysis showing show the scale of dangerous methane pollution from landfills across the U.S.

EDF study estimates the potential impact of interpretations of the 2023 Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency ruling on federal wetlands protections, using a qualitative measure of wetland “wetness” as a proxy for the new requirement.

New peer-reviewed analysis by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), published by Science, reveals that millions of acres of critical wetland habitat have lost vital protections in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court of the United States majority opinion (Sackett v EPA) that drastically narrowed the scope of wetlands protected under the Clean Water Act.

By: Poppy Brittingham Open ocean aquaculture (also referred to as “offshore” aquaculture) is a nascent industry in the United States. As it exists now, the industry has the potential to positively contribute to domestic seafood supplies if executed well. However, if the risks and impacts of the farms are not well understood, it can cause …

A new report from Environmental Defense Fund provides critical insights into species that may be optimal for farming in open ocean environments.

The oceans are a massive carbon sink. Researchers, companies and governments are exploring whether we can engineer coastal and ocean systems to store even more carbon. But while the ocean presents us with great possibilities, it’s also a complex system where human interventions can impact everything from the ecological (species’ interactions or the habitats they …

There are at least a million dead and forgotten oil and natural gas wells dotting the American landscape, many leaking methane and other toxic chemicals into the air and water, long after their productive days are over. In Pennsylvania alone, there are an estimated 300,000 to 700,000 — and estimated is the key word. The …

We’ve come to our final blog in our series on sustainable aquaculture for EDFish. Now that we’ve covered aquaculture feed, escapes, and diseases, we’ll wrap up the discussion with a look at technology’s role in sustainable aquaculture. With appropriate investment and incentives, ocean farming technologies and innovations could address sustainability risks for farming seafood in …

An accountability framework for reducing emissions from the oil and gas industry developed by the International Energy Agency (IEA), UN Environment Programme’s International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

High-integrity carbon credits will require improved measurement, reporting and verification for livestock methane, and stronger environmental and social pr

A new report commissioned by EDF finds that blending hydrogen into the existing natural gas pipeline system would achieve limited greenhouse gas reductions and could continue New York’s reliance on natural gas beyond 2050.

By Anna Lóránt and Léa Pilsner The EU is finalising its Delegated Act on Low Carbon Fuels, a critical piece of its hydrogen policy. This is more than just a low-stakes technical step. If done right, it could significantly advance the EU’s decarbonisation agenda, showing the ‘Green Deal in action’. The details matter because this …

By: Harlisa, M. Khazali, and Meutia Isty Wulandari Sarkad gazed out at the Lampung coastline, his hands gripping the edge of his small fishing boat. At 49 years old, Sarkad had spent over half his life catching blue swimming crabs. He fled his hometown in West Java, hoping to escape deteriorating marine conditions and declining …

Let’s continue the conversation on sustainable aquaculture. This is the third blog in our series exploring the sustainability of aquaculture—what we currently know, emerging advancements, and areas for growth. In our previous, we covered escapes in aquaculture, and before that, we discussed aquaculture feed.     In this blog, we are focusing on diseases in …

EDF statement from Dr. Karla Sosa, Project Manager, New York State Affairs

NOTE: This is the second of a series about EPA’s prioritization of existing chemicals.  What Happened?  EPA just proposed to designate five chemicals, including the widely-known toxic chemical vinyl chloride, as high-priority chemicals – meaning they are toxic to human and/or environmental health.  If finalized, these chemicals will immediately undergo the risk evaluation process under …

New peer-reviewed research from EDF provides new and much-needed clarity about the methane footprint created by Canada’s oil and gas industry and the country’s progress toward addressing it.

The U.S. needs to build a lot more high-voltage electric transmission lines. Our current system is disconnected in all of the wrong places, leaving bountiful renewable resources stranded, individual regions isolated, and disadvantaged communities with unreliable power and exorbitant costs. Even where we do have connections, many of the lines are outdated and can’t accommodate …

Study authored by EDF scientists synthesizes nearly a decade of research encompassing thousands of multiscale methane measurements along the oil and gas value chain to better constrain estimates of methane emissions from Canada’s energy sector and to identify research gaps contributing to uncertainty in current estimates.

Open ocean aquaculture in the U.S. has the potential to create diverse local jobs, build a more climate-resilient domestic seafood supply, and minimize impacts on the climate and environment. However, achieving these benefits hinges on practicing aquaculture the right way.  So, what does the “right way” entail? What do we still need to know to …