• ‘8 Years, 8 Ways America is Missing Out’ highlights the opportunity to grow more seafood in the US waters and why a clear federal permitting pathway is urgently needed
• The first open ocean aquaculture demonstration project in US federal waters to receive approval this year spent eight years navigating the permitting process, underscoring the need for a clear federal pathway
As Congress considers bipartisan legislation to advance open ocean aquaculture in the United States (US) federal waters, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) launched a few days ago ‘8 Years, 8 Ways America is Missing Out,’ a new campaign highlighting the urgent need for a clear, predictable federal permitting pathway to expand American aquaculture. The campaign is running throughout this October, coinciding with National Seafood Month, an annual celebration highlighting the importance of sustainable seafood and its value to American communities.
The first open ocean aquaculture demonstration project in US federal waters to receive approval this year spent eight years navigating the permitting process, underscoring the need for a clear federal pathway. The project, planned for the Gulf, navigated 12 federal and state agencies to secure approval for a single net pen. Eight years for a single net pen is not a pathway to a competitive U.S. aquaculture industry. Through ‘8 Years, 8 Ways,’ SATS will spotlight eight ways America is missing out on the benefits of open ocean aquaculture and the opportunities a clear federal permitting pathway would unlock.
“There is growing bipartisan recognition in Congress that expanding American aquaculture is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss,” said Drue Banta Winters, Campaign Manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). “The US has the science, technology and resources to sustainably grow more seafood in our own waters, complement our wild-capture fisheries and strengthen our domestic seafood supply. But eight years to move a single demonstration project through the permitting process underscores why a clear, predictable federal pathway is urgently needed to support growth of U.S. aquaculture.”
Only the 20th Position in International Production
The US ranks only 20th globally, imports up to 85% of its seafood, and has no commercial aquaculture projects operating in federal waters. Meanwhile, countries around the world continue to invest in and expand their aquaculture production.
While celebrating National Seafood Month, SATS will use its social media channels to spotlight eight areas where America is missing out on the benefits of a robust domestic aquaculture industry: seafood production, food security, economic opportunity, coastal communities, American agriculture, innovation and US investment, sustainability and climate resilience, and US competitiveness.
The campaign launches at a critical moment, as Congress actively considers the bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act (S. 2586/H.R. 9802), legislation that would establish a science-based framework to advance commercial-scale open ocean aquaculture demonstration projects in US federal waters.
USD 807 Million in Lost Economic Value in 2023 Alone
According to SATS, regulatory barriers cost the US aquaculture industry an estimated USD 807 million in lost economic value in 2023 alone, according to a May 2026 report from the Virginia Cooperative Extension, a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and local governments.
“There has never been a greater opportunity for Congress to give American aquaculture the clear pathway it needs to grow. This is about more than producing more American-raised seafood for American families. It’s also about American jobs, food security, innovation and our ability to compete globally. America can’t afford to wait another year. The time for congressional action is now,” Winters ended.
Let’s remember 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. You can find more information at www.strongerthroughseafood.org.
