Companion Bill Introduced in U.S. House to Facilitate Growth of Offshore Aquaculture Industry in America
Both U.S. House and Senate Leaders Put Support Behind Expanding Sustainable U.S. Aquaculture
Washington, D.C. – June 12, 2023 – On June 12, Representatives Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Ed Case (D-HI-01) and Mike Ezell (R-MS-4) re-introduced the bipartisan Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act in the 118th Congress. The House bill is companion legislation to the AQUAA Act introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) last week.
The bicameral AQUAA Act would establish National Standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the U.S. exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The bill would also establish a research and technology grant program to fund innovative research and extension services focused on improving and advancing sustainable domestic aquaculture.
Drue Banta Winters, Campaign Manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), said, “Establishing a robust American aquaculture industry would help address many of the pressing issues we face today. From strengthening the seafood supply chain, to creating new jobs in American communities, and helping grow more sustainable protein here at home as climate change threatens wild stocks, offshore aquaculture would provide many benefits for our nation. SATS commends Reps. Cammack, Case and Ezell for helping educate other Members of Congress about the need for federal legislation to establish a federal permitting process for offshore aquaculture in the U.S.”
"Aquaculture should be one of our priorities as we grow our focus on food security. In Florida, we've seen the benefits of aquaculture firsthand—breeding, raising, and harvesting shellfish, fish, and aquatic plants in our waters. We've demonstrated that it's possible to provide healthy, fresh food that's produced sustainably at home to support our growing population," said Rep. Cammack. "I'm pleased to introduce the AQUAA Act with my colleagues who share the same enthusiasm for growing our domestic aquaculture industries and improving our infrastructure to feed the American population."
"For decades we have pursued the promise of open ocean aquaculture as part of our larger goal of sustainable management of our marine resources. States like Hawai'i have led the way in developing sustainable and safe aquaculture in state waters, but development in federal waters throughout our exclusive economic zone has been hampered by a confusing and often contradicting regulatory scheme that does not sufficiently protect our marine environment," said Rep. Case. "Our bipartisan, bicameral AQUAA Act would provide a consistent efficient regulatory umbrella to help fully unlock the potential of open ocean aquaculture in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive and science-based way and grow economies for coastal states and food security for the nation. I thank Congresswoman Cammack, along with our counterparts in the Senate, Senators Schatz and Wicker, for partnering on this important bill and look forward to working with them and many others toward expanding sustainable aquaculture."
"In order to meet the demand for fresh, American seafood, we must find ways to increase aquaculture production across our coastal states and communities," said Rep. Ezell. "I'm proud to cosponsor the AQUAA Act that will create blue economy jobs along the Gulf Coast while protecting our most precious resources."
Due to inefficient federal permitting processes, the U.S. ranks only 17th in aquaculture production and imports up to 80% of the seafood we consume from overseas. Until federal legislation is passed, the growth of an American offshore aquaculture industry will continue to be hindered due to lack of regulatory certainty for investors.
An expanded aquaculture industry in the U.S. would create a plethora of jobs in the farming states that grow the fish feed; in coastal states with working waterfronts; in labs and research facilities and in retail. Locally grown seafood would feed a growing population that is projected to be 8.5 billion by 2030.
Earlier this year, the White House issued their Ocean Climate Action Plan that calls for the expansion of sustainable U.S. aquaculture production.
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About Stronger America Through Seafood
Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) advocates for federal policies and regulations that help secure a stronger America through increased U.S. production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood. Learn more at www.strongerthroughseafood.org.