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 Stronger America Through Seafood

Securing a stronger America through increased U.S. production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood.

 

More Sustainable Seafood from U.S. Waters

Open ocean aquaculture is one of the most environmentally sustainable ways to produce protein and is used widely around the world to complement wild harvest, yet it remains an untapped industry here in the U.S.

Due to the lack of a pathway for farming seafood in federal waters, the U.S. ranks only 18th in aquaculture production globally and imports up to 85% of our seafood – half of which is estimated to come from fish farms in other countries. 

There is growing bipartisan consensus in Congress—as well as among seafood industry leaders, environmental groups, chefs, and academics—on legislation to expand U.S. aquaculture.

The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 (S.2586) would advance open ocean aquaculture in U.S. waters, building on years of bipartisan effort and incorporating key provisions from prior legislation, including the AQUAA Act.

 Explore our fact sheets and links to scientific research to learn more about how America would benefit from the expansion of aquaculture in our waters.

 

Learn about Aquaculture’s Benefits

View Additional Perspectives on Aquaculture's Benefits
 

“Tipping the Scales” Newsletter Highlights

Tipping the Scales Newsletter
Aquaculture Expansion Will Create a New Market for America’s Soybean Farmers
Aquaculture Expansion Will Create a New Market for America’s Soybean Farmers

America’s oceans offer a powerful opportunity to help increase domestic seafood production, benefiting both families and farmers in the Heartland. While open ocean aquaculture cultivates seafood in deep water off the shore, the sustainable fish feeds that are supporting offshore fish farms include ingredients sourced across the U.S. The expansion of American aquaculture would increase demand for farm-raised crops, including soybeans, wheat and corn, which can be used in fish feed, creating new markets and opportunities for American farmers, many of whom continue to feel the impact of tariffs on their exported crops. 

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Celebrating National Seafood Month and the Aquaculture Industry’s Contributions
Celebrating National Seafood Month and the Aquaculture Industry’s Contributions

October is National Seafood Month, a time to celebrate the delicious seafood on our plates. Seafood is a healthy source of protein, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals that benefit our health, our economy, and our planet. And the aquaculture industry plays a key role in helping supply sustainable seafood to American families.

 

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Bipartisan Momentum Grows as U.S. House Introduces Companion Bill to Advance Open Ocean Aquaculture
Bipartisan Momentum Grows as U.S. House Introduces Companion Bill to Advance Open Ocean Aquaculture

On October 14, U.S. Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS), Ed Case (D-HI), Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025, a bill that would strengthen America’s seafood industry by advancing commercial-scale open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. The bill is companion legislation to the bipartisan Senate measure (S.2586) introduced earlier this year by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

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Growing Bipartisan Support for Open Ocean Aquaculture Brings Industry Leaders to Capitol Hill
Growing Bipartisan Support for Open Ocean Aquaculture Brings Industry Leaders to Capitol Hill

Seafood leaders and allies are heading to Capitol Hill this week for a two-day legislative fly-in hosted by Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). Their message to Congress: expanding open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters would help increase America’s seafood supply and create new jobs nationwide. Federal legislation is needed to create a pathway for open ocean aquaculture in America. The bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 (S.2586), introduced in July 2025 by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), would advance development of commercial-scale open ocean aquaculture farms in U.S. federal waters.

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Interview with WWF's Aquaculture Expert on the Industry’s Trillion-Dollar Opportunity
Interview with WWF's Aquaculture Expert on the Industry’s Trillion-Dollar Opportunity

This month, Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) interviewed Dr. Sergio Nates, Senior Director for Aquaculture at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the world’s leading conservation organization. In July 2025, the World Wildlife Fund and the World Bank released a new report, Harnessing the Waters: A Trillion Dollar Investment Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture, which recognized aquaculture as one of the most promising opportunities for building a more sustainable food system over the next 25 years. The report found that aquaculture could generate 22 million new jobs by 2050 and presents a $1.5 trillion investment opportunity in the sector.

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