Saving Seafood

Offshore aquaculture advocates send joint letter to US lawmakers pushing for MARA passage

December 2, 2025 — Advocates of enabling and expanding offshore aquaculture in the U.S. sent a joint letter to lawmakers in Congress urging them to pass the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act.

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

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Bipartisan bill introduced in U.S. Congress to advance open ocean aquaculture

August 6, 2025 — The introduction of the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 in the U.S. Congress marks a major step forward for sustainable U.S. aquaculture. This bipartisan bill establishes a momentous step forward to support the responsible research of open ocean aquaculture in the U.S. while prioritizing strong environmental standards and community resilience.

“The bipartisan consensus is clear: Congressional action is needed to build a robust American open ocean aquaculture industry, and the MARA Act lays the groundwork towards that goal,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). Banta Winters thanked Senators Schatz and Wicker for their leadership in advancing the legislation. The act aims to boost domestic seafood production in a responsible and sustainable way, similar to practices already in use both internationally and in U.S. state waters.

The Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture (CSA) also celebrates the bill introduction. “As someone deeply invested in sustainable seafood and responsible food systems, I believe the MARA Act is a landmark opportunity for American aquaculture,” said Barton Seaver, chef and founding member of the CSA. He emphasized that the bill supports a food system grounded in environmental responsibility, while also bolstering food security and coastal economies.

The U.S. currently imports the majority of its seafood, with half of that supply farmed abroad. As seafood demand grows domestically, exploring sustainable seafood production through open ocean aquaculture holds the potential to reduce reliance on imports, foster American ingenuity and innovation, bolster U.S. food security, and lower carbon emissions associated with international seafood transport—while creating jobs and economic opportunities in coastal communities.

Read the full article at Aqua Feed

US senators propose industry-backed permitting structure to enable offshore fish farming

August 5, 2025 — Legislators have introduced a bill in the U.S. Senate that would establish a new permitting framework for offshore fish farming in U.S. waters – a long-term goal of the domestic aquaculture sector.

“This growing bipartisan consensus in Congress to advance open ocean aquaculture in America comes with strong support from leading environmental groups, seafood industry businesses, chefs, and academics who all agree: We can responsibly grow more of our own seafood here at home,” Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) Campaign Manager Drue Banta Winters said in a statement. “With today’s advanced technology, the responsible farming of seafood can sustainably complement our nation’s wild-capture harvesting to meet the growing demand for fresh, American-raised seafood, create new job opportunities, and encourage investment in working waterfront communities.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Offshore aquaculture advocates ask US lawmakers to invest USD 42 million in research and development

May 16, 2025 — Advocates for developing offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters are asking lawmakers to invest USD 42 million (EUR 37.7 million) to help grow the nation’s aquaculture output.

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a coalition of industry stakeholders in offshore aquaculture, sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, highlighting the spending it says is necessary to support sustainable development of the aquaculture sector.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US offshore aquaculture industry launches campaign to increase Congressional support

November 13, 2024 — Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS), a coalition of stakeholders in the U.S. aquaculture industry, has launched a month-long campaign to educate federal lawmakers and their staff about aquaculture and raise support for offshore finfish farming.

“As one of the most environmentally friendly methods for producing protein, open ocean aquaculture is a vital food production method being embraced by nations worldwide but it remains an untapped industry here in the U.S.,” SATS Campaign Manager Drue Banta Winters said in a statement.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US public backs aquaculture, poll finds

June 24, 2022 — The US public would support moves to create “a clear, predictable pathway for offshore aquaculture”, according to a poll commissioned by lobby group Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS).

The survey, which polled just over 1,000 likely voters, found that two-thirds of voters would “feel more favourable towards” a member of Congress who voted to establish pathways for offshore aquaculture.

When informed that when learning that doubling US aquaculture production could create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs, 87% agreed that it is important to expand American seafood production.

Read the full story at Fish Farmer Magazine

 

US seafood pressures Congress on aquaculture expansion

March 8, 2022 — The US lobby group Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) is stepping up pressure on Congress to expand the country’s aquaculture sector.

The organisation has sent a letter to both the House of Representatives and to the Senate calling for stronger support for the industry.

It was signed by more than 60 supporters from sectors related to fish farming including seafood harvesting, production and retail.

The letter calls for a smooth passage for what is called the Advancing The Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act (AQUAA).

The AQUAA Act is aimed at establishing a more streamlined process of permitting marine aquaculture and create a national framework for aquaculture development.

Read the full story at Fish Farmer

Stronger America Through Seafood sends letter to Congress in support of AQUAA Act

February 14, 2022 — Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) has sent a letter signed by more than 65 supporters of aquaculture – including leaders in the U.S. seafood harvesting, production, and retail sectors – to Congress, requesting support for aquaculture expansion in the U.S.

The letter, sent on Monday, 14 February to both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, calls for support for the “Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act,” or “AQUAA Act.” An updated version of the AQUAA Act was recently introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Marco Rubio (R-Florida); and U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawaii) and Steve Palazzo (R-Mississippi).

Read the full story at SeafoodSource

SATS pens letter to Biden urging support for aquaculture prioritization

May 24, 2021 — U.S. aquaculture advocacy group Stronger America Through Seafood penned a letter last week urging President Joe Biden to prioritize seafood production to help mitigate climate change and outline the climate impacts and potential benefits of aquaculture in the country.

“As our federal leaders seek innovative solutions to address the climate crisis, aquaculture, one of the most resource-efficient methods for protein production, should be considered as a tool to help feed our growing population responsibly while protecting our planet,” SATS campaign manager Margaret Henderson said. “Through federal action, the [Biden] administration and Congress can establish a clear regulatory pathway for permitting offshore aquaculture that would support a sustainable seafood future, increase the resiliency of our food systems, and create new jobs in communities nationwide.”

Read the full story at Seafood Source