The new US Senate bill aims to increase domestic seafood production in the US, which currently imports most of its seafood.
The 2025 American Marine Aquaculture Research (MARA) Act explores innovative new ways to produce sustainable aquaculture in our country.
The bill focuses on removing regulatory barriers, promoting offshore aquaculture development, opening up new areas for fish farming, and increasing domestic seafood production, thereby making a positive impact on the aquaculture industry.
The Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) coalition that supports the law says strengthening US food security could happen while supporting healthy oceans and vibrant coastal communities.
The US currently imports most of its seafood, half of which farms overseas. As seafood demand grows domestically, exploring sustainable seafood production through ocean aquaculture has the potential to reduce dependence on imports, promote American ingenuity and innovation, strengthen US food security, and reduce carbon emissions associated with international seafood transport.
However, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does not have the direct authority to put exploratory farms into the water that can inform the development of appropriate legal safeguards. The bill addresses that gaps and provides clear guidelines to ensure safe and sustainable practices.
The CSA said the MARA Act was encouraged to ensure that key provisions include advances in commercial-scale demonstration projects, assessing environmental impacts and establishing a NOAA aquaculture assessment program to develop best practices. Committee research to assess the environment, regulation, and social viability of open ocean aquaculture, while incorporating lessons from US and international experience.
Supporters of the bill say it will help the United States reduce its dependence on foreign seafood.
Memberships for the Sustainable Aquaculture Union include chefs, fishermen, restaurateurs and environmental NGOs.
