Utah
Opinion: How aquaculture expansion helps Utah’s economy
When most people think about seafood production, a landlocked state like Utah may not be the first state that comes to mind. But Utah already plays a pivotal role in America’s seafood supply chain — thanks to the Great Salt Lake — and expanding aquaculture into deep open ocean waters off our coasts would bring even greater opportunities and benefits for Utah’s economy and local communities.
With demand for sustainable protein on the rise, aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing food production systems. Advances in science and technology have made open-ocean aquaculture one of the most efficient and environmentally responsible methods for producing protein. Yet in the U.S., the industry remains largely untapped. Once a global leader in seafood production, America now ranks 18th in aquaculture and imports up to 85% of the seafood we consume, including half from overseas fish farms. Expanding U.S. aquaculture production off our shores through open-ocean aquaculture is critical to strengthening food security, creating jobs and ensuring American families have greater access to locally raised seafood.
Utah has a unique stake in this national effort. The Great Salt Lake is the world’s leading source of brine shrimp, a critical ingredient in aquaculture feeds. Brine shrimp provide the nutrition needed to raise healthy fish, and aquaculture operations across the U.S. depend on Utah’s supply. That connection generates an estimated $67 million for Utah’s economy each year, sustaining jobs and cementing Utah’s role in the seafood supply chain.
Utah’s fish feed industry is a prime example of how aquaculture expansion in the U.S. would deliver benefits far beyond America’s coastal states. New farms in federal waters would bring jobs and investment to waterfront areas, while ripple effects across the seafood supply chain would reach deep inland states. Utah producers would benefit from increased demand for fish feed, and farmers across the Heartland, including Utah’s own wheat and corn growers, would benefit from rising demand for American-grown crops that are used in plant-based aquaculture feeds. From hatcheries and feed suppliers to processors and retailers, seafood supply chain businesses throughout the state and across the country would benefit from growing demand for American-raised seafood.
But for the U.S. to realize the potential of open ocean aquaculture in federal waters, legislation is needed. The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025, recently introduced in both the House and Senate (H.R.5746/S.2586), would create a pathway for open ocean aquaculture in federal waters, supporting the growth of U.S. seafood production. This bipartisan bill has already garnered strong support from leading environmental groups, seafood industry leaders, award-winning chefs and academics, who all recognize that aquaculture is a crucial tool for producing more sustainable protein, meeting rising demand and alleviating pressure on wild fisheries.
Utah is well positioned to benefit from the growth of aquaculture. Home to established companies and suppliers with decades of experience in aquaculture and aquafeed production, Utah businesses are ready to support the seafood supply chain and meet the increased demand that expanded U.S. aquaculture would create. At the same time, research institutions like Utah State University are advancing sustainable harvest practices that balance economic activity with the health of the Great Salt Lake.
Expanding U.S. aquaculture isn’t just about producing more seafood. It’s about creating jobs, strengthening food security and securing America’s future food supply while supporting communities nationwide, both inland and along the coast. With our established aquafeed producers, research expertise and strong ties to the seafood supply chain, Utah is ready to support aquaculture expansion in America. By passing the MARA Act and advancing American aquaculture, Congress can help deliver a stronger American seafood industry.
A Utah physician is warning that 21 data centers in various stages of development could significantly worsen air quality along the Wasatch Front.
Dr. Brian Moench, with Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, said the planned data centers are cause for alarm. Each facility is expected to generate its own electricity using natural gas power plants.
While natural gas is cleaner than coal, Moench said it still produces nitrogen oxide, which contributes significantly to ozone, particulate formation, and smog.
“There’s no safe level of air pollution. All of it is harmful, even at the very lowest doses,” Moench said.
Moench said health advocates have legitimate reasons to be concerned about what the facilities could mean for public health in the region.
“There is a real legitimate concern on the part of any health advocates about what this impact will mean to the Wasatch Front and public health if all these data centers are built or even if just a few of them are, and that’s not to address the impact on the Great Salt Lake shrinking up and becoming a toxic dust bowl. That’s the next leg of this argument,” he said.
Moench also raised concerns about electronic waste. As computer chips and equipment become obsolete and are replaced, he said the volume of e-waste produced is something no one has yet addressed.
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UTAH COUNTY, May 11, 2026 (Gephardt Daily) — Two males, ages 14 and 19, were transported to area hospitals Sunday after the side-by-side they were riding rolled down the side of a mountain.
Utah County Sheriff deputies and Santaquin police responded to the 6:07 p.m. call. Two medical helicopters were called to the scene, in the Pole Canyon area, as was a Department of Public Safety helicopter with a hoist in case it was needed, Sgt. Austin Edwards, Utah County Sheriff‘s Office, told Gephardt Daily.
“Eventually, rescue workers were able to make it to the spot on the hill where the vehicle had come to rest, and they were able to secure the victims, stabilize the victims, and get them back down the hill again to where the helicopters were waiting,” Edwards said.
“The 19-year-old male was transported to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo, and the 14 year old was transported to Primary Children’s in Lehi.”
Both were said to have critical injuries, which were not considered to be life threatening, Edwards said.
“The cause of the rollover is still under investigation, so we don’t have that information available just yet.”
Photos: Utah County Sheriff
In what has a chance to be one of the most important nights in Jazz history, the Utah Jazz jumped in the NBA Lottery to the #2 spot for the upcoming NBA draft.
Here are the final results, which show all the movement.
Aside from it being a massive night for the Wizards, Jazz, Grizzlies, and Bulls, it was a devastating night for a few teams, but no one more than the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers, in their trade for Ivica Zubac, had a stipulation on their pick that if the pick was top-4 they kept it. But if it fell below 4, they would give it to the Clippers which is exactly what happened. Now, the Clippers, who are without Zubac, find themselves with a #5 pick to build around.
For the Jazz this is a culmination of four years of rebuilding that ends with an extremely satisfying end. Utah will now have one of the tier-1 players from this draft: AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson. The player Utah drafts will be one of their cornerstone pieces and will have the chance to not only play, but be a part of a team that will be competing for the playoffs this season.
The Utah Jazz now have a Sinister Six core: Darryn Peterson (If AJ Dybantsa goes #1), Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler (if he signs). It’s quite the core with a mix of youth and veterans in their prime. With this group, the Jazz will have a chance to be one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Yes, the Thunder and Spurs are going to be difficult to beat, but Utah has the mix of talent, coaching, and depth that could absolutely do the trick.
Now the Utah Jazz look forward to the NBA Draft that be on June 23rd. Let the posturing begin!!
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