Open Ocean Aquaculture Poised to Take Off in 2026

2025 has been a monumental year for U.S. open ocean aquaculture, with growing bipartisan momentum on Capitol Hill and expanding support from environmental organizations, seafood industry leaders, chefs, and academic experts. Together, these voices are aligning around a shared goal: increasing America’s supply of healthy, sustainable seafood by responsibly expanding domestic aquaculture in U.S. federal waters.

On Tuesday, December 2, Stronger America through Seafood (SATS) and the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) sent a joint letter to Congress urging passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act (H.R. 5746/S. 2586). Signed by 140 environmental groups, seafood companies, chefs, and academic experts, the letter sends a strong signal to lawmakers that the America needs to create a clear pathway for commercial-scale open ocean aquaculture farms in U.S. federal waters.

This joint letter was preceded by a Capitol Hill fly-in hosted by SATS in September that brought seafood industry leaders and supporters to meet with congressional offices to educate lawmakers on why federal legislation is needed to support American aquaculture. Participants included Cargill, Cuna del Mar, Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Innovasea, Sysco, the American Soybean Association, the National Fisheries Institute, and the Soy Aquaculture Alliance, who highlighted how expanding open ocean aquaculture would create new markets for U.S. farmers, expand access to healthy domestic seafood, and support jobs in coastal communities.

As we look ahead to 2026, the momentum continues to build. With bipartisan interest growing on the Hill, a strong coalition of supporters, and a nationwide focus on increasing access to healthy, domestic seafood, the new year presents a significant opportunity to build on this year's progress and advance open-ocean aquaculture in America. SATS remains committed to educating lawmakers about the benefits of open ocean aquaculture and to strengthening America’s sustainable seafood supply.