A broad coalition of over 140 organizations – including seafood producers, conservation groups, academics, and industry businesses – sent a joint letter to key U.S. lawmakers last week, pushing for the immediate passage of the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act.
The advocates are pressing Congress to establish a clear, science-based framework for developing a sustainable U.S. offshore aquaculture industry. Currently, not a single fish farm operates in U.S. federal waters.
Why the MARA Act is Critical:
The U.S. has the resources and skill to lead in sustainable seafood production, but lacks the necessary regulatory structure. The MARA Act aims to fill this gap by:
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Establishing a Pathway: Creating the NOAA Aquaculture Assessment Program to enable and support commercial-scale demonstration projects for offshore farming.
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Streamlining Permits: Mandating the creation of a dedicated NOAA Office of Aquaculture and establishing clear timelines to prevent permit applications from being stuck in limbo.
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Investing in Communities: Providing grant funding for working waterfronts and investing in workforce development programs.
Proponents argue that passing MARA would allow the nation to “grow more of our seafood here at home,” which would both strengthen U.S. food security and support coastal economies. The letter was specifically addressed to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, the committees that must approve the bill before it can proceed to a full floor vote.