The MARA Act is currently in the introductory stage, with S.2586 referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Coalition DEMANDS Washington End Reliance on Foreign Fish: Industry Urges Congress to PASS MARA Act

UNITED STATES
Friday, December 05, 2025, 06:50 (GMT + 9)

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Boost Domestic Seafood Production and Economic Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A powerful coalition of 140 open ocean aquaculture advocates—spanning the U.S. seafood industry, environmental organizations, chefs, and academics—has sent a joint letter to U.S. Congress leadership, strongly advocating for the passage of the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 (S.2586/H.R. 5746). The letter was addressed to the leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.

The advocacy groups, including the Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) coalition and the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA), argue that the MARA Act is a critical, bipartisan step toward establishing a clear, science-based framework for developing sustainable offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters.

Organizations and companies that are part of the support for the letter presented

Addressing a Key Seafood Deficit

The United States currently imports about 80% of its seafood by value, leading to a trade deficit of approximately $14 billion. Proponents of the MARA Act see domestic open ocean aquaculture as a key solution to this imbalance, providing a local, traceable, and sustainable source of protein.

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“The U.S. has the science and technology, ocean resources and skilled seafood workforce to lead in sustainable seafood production,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). “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.”

Bipartisan Support and Core Provisions

The MARA Act builds on years of bipartisan effort to harness the potential of American open ocean aquaculture. The bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of legislators, including Sens. Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Reps. Mike Ezell (R-Mississippi), Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Kat Cammack (R-Florida), and Jimmy Panetta (D-California).

Click on the image to enlarge it. Source: courtesy Coherent

Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Codifying the Office of Aquaculture: Making the existing and effective Office of Aquaculture within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) a permanent fixture to coordinate efforts.

• Streamlining Permitting: Establishing a clear and transparent federal permitting process, a move advocates say is essential, as regulatory uncertainty has historically deterred investment in U.S. federal waters.

• Science-Based Demonstration Projects: Mandating research and commercial-scale demonstration projects to generate the data needed to guide responsible growth and ensure strong environmental safeguards.

• Workforce Development: Investing in workforce training programs and supporting working waterfront infrastructure to prepare the next generation of maritime professionals.

Maddie Voorhees, lead for the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture and U.S. Aquaculture Campaign Director at Environmental Defense Fund, stressed the importance of the bill’s focus on research. “The MARA Act represents a pivotal step toward ensuring that aquaculture in U.S. federal waters is guided by sound science, transparency and a commitment to ocean health,” she stated.

Economic and Agricultural Ripple Effects

The expansion of responsible American aquaculture is projected to generate widespread economic benefits beyond the coast.

• Coastal Communities will gain from new investment in portside infrastructure and seafood processing.

• Inland States will benefit from new markets for U.S.-grown crops, such as soybeans, corn, peas, and barley, which are used in sustainable aquafeeds. This synergy links the domestic aquaculture industry to America's agricultural heartland.

• The broader seafood supply chain—from hatcheries and equipment manufacturers to processors, retailers, and exporters—is also expected to see significant growth.

The MARA Act is currently in the introductory stage, with S.2586 referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and H.R. 5746 referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Education and Workforce.

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