• It was signed by 140 advocates for offshore aquaculture
The Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) coalition and the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) of the United States (US) recently sent a letter signed by 140 open ocean aquaculture advocates to leadership of the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and US House Committee on Natural Resources urging Congress to pass the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025.
The letter of support, which received 140 signatories, is a demonstration of growing bipartisan support for expanding aquaculture in US federal waters, explained SATS. It was signed by representatives across the seafood industry, as well as environmental organizations, chefs, academics and others.
“The US has the science and technology, ocean resources and skilled seafood workforce to lead in sustainable seafood production,” assured Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood. “The MARA Act would put in place a pathway to allow us to demonstrate that we can grow more of our seafood here at home both responsibly and sustainably, while strengthening coastal economies, supporting America’s terrestrial farmers and strengthening our nation’s food security.”
Introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), the MARA Act lays the groundwork for a science-based approach to developing sustainable offshore aquaculture in US federal waters.
Answers to Critical Questions
The MARA Act builds on years of bipartisan effort to help the US harness the potential of American open ocean aquaculture by codifying the existing and effective Office of Aquaculture within NOAA, streamlining permitting, supporting working waterfront infrastructure, and investing in workforce training to prepare the next generation of maritime professionals.
For Maddie Voorhees, lead for the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture and US Aquaculture Campaign Director at Environmental Defense Fund, “the MARA Act represents a pivotal step toward ensuring that aquaculture in US federal waters is guided by sound science, transparency, and a commitment to ocean health.”
“By investing in research and commercial-scale demonstration projects, this bill will help answer critical questions about how we can responsibly grow more seafood at home while safeguarding the ecosystems and communities that depend on healthy oceans,” she added.
Science-Based Demonstration Projects
For the members of SATS, the bill’s inclusion of science-based demonstration projects is an essential step toward understanding how open ocean aquaculture can expand while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. These projects will generate the data needed to guide responsible growth, protect ocean health, and strengthen public trust in US aquaculture.
Earlier this year, a World Wildlife Fund and World Bank report, “Harnessing the Waters: A Trillion-Dollar Investment Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture”, identified aquaculture as one of the most promising opportunities to build a sustainable global food system over the next 25 years. The report projects that aquaculture could generate 22 million new jobs by 2050 and represents a USD 1.5 trillion investment opportunity.
Strengthen Coastal and Inland Economies
As noted in the joint letter, expanding responsible American aquaculture will strengthen both coastal and inland economies. Coastal communities will benefit from new investment in portside infrastructure and seafood processing, while inland states will gain new markets for US -grown crops such as soybeans, corn, peas, and barley used in sustainable aquafeeds. The broader seafood supply chain, from hatcheries and equipment manufacturers to processors, retailers, and exporters, stands to benefit as well.
It is important to highlight that Stronger America Through Seafood advocates for federal policies and regulations that help secure a stronger America through increased US production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood. On the other hand, the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture is a partnership of environmental advocates, industry leaders, and award-winning chefs who are coming together to chart a responsible path forward for a safe, sustainable, and science-based offshore aquaculture industry in US waters
