Congressmen make new bid for US aquaculture act
Two United States Congressmen have introduced legislation in the US House of Representatives to support the development of an offshore aquaculture industry in the country.
The bipartisan bill, the Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture (AQUAA) Act, has already been introduced to the US Congress’ other house, the Senate, in October.
Congressmen Steven Palazzo (Republican, Mississippi) and Democrat Edward Case (Democrat, Hawai’i) introduced the bill to the House of Representatives yesterday.
Its aim is to increase production of sustainable seafood through the raising of fish in federal waters, creating a robust industry in America including new jobs.
Food security needs
“At a time when supply chain challenges and a global pandemic are slowing the delivery of seafood to America’s storefronts and kitchens, the expansion of American aquaculture is an opportunity to try to solve these problems,” said Sarah Brenholt, campaign manager of pro-aquaculture lobby group Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS).
“Federal lawmakers have an opportunity to help increase US production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood while also addressing the food security needs of all Americans. As the global population grows, the US must lead the charge in aquaculture development using scientific best practices for the most environmentally sound manner of food production.”
The bipartisan AQUAA Act would establish national standards for offshore aquaculture and clarify a regulatory system for the farming of fish in the US exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The bill would also establish a research and technology grant programme to fund innovative research and extension services focused on improving and advancing sustainable domestic aquaculture.
An impact everywhere
Palazzo said: “Coastal states and communities, like South Mississippi, enjoy a benefit of knowing where their seafood comes from when they order at a local restaurant. Many other states throughout our nation aren’t so lucky. To meet demand, restaurants and grocery stores rely on seafood imports which amount to 90% of seafood that is consumed in the US. The AQUAA Act provides a pathway to decrease that percentage and sustainably meet this demand.
“I am proud to introduce the AQUAA Act in the 117th Congress to support job creation along coastal areas, create a new market for agriculture products, and expand seafood processing - measures that can impact every part of the United States.”
Case said: “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.
Consistent regulation
“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 Congressman Palazzo, along with our counterparts in the Senate, Senators Brian Schatz (Democrat, Hawai’i), Marco Rubio (Republican, Florida) and Roger Wicker (Republican, Mississippi) for partnering with me and look forward to working with them and many others toward expanding sustainable aquaculture.”
SATS argues that as well as creating new jobs in coastal communities, aquaculture would also create opportunities in other industries, such as agriculture, by providing a new market for US farmers of crops such as soybeans, corn, and peas which can be used to create fish feed.
Aquaculture Opportunity Areas
As a response to a Presidential Executive Order issued by former President Donald Trump in May 2020, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released two Aquaculture Opportunity Area Atlases that identify 19 areas in Gulf of Mexico and off California that are suitable sites for offshore aquaculture.
SATS said the atlases are based on the most scientific and geospatial research to date and take into consideration all environmental and economic factors to farming fish in federal waters.
Earlier attempts to put an AQUAA Act on the statute books failed because previous Congresses – which have a duration of two years - finished before the bill could be passed.
