February 18, 2026 — New Farm Bill renewal legislation introduced by Republicans in the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture would establish an aquaculture advisory committee.
The committee is based on a concept introduced in the Sustaining Healthy Ecosystems, Livelihoods, and Local Seafood (SHELLS) Act, introduced in 2023 to create an office of aquaculture within USDA. The bill also provided for the establishment of an aquaculture advisory committee to help develop best practices and provide technical assistance.