AFS Supports MARA Act to Expand Open Ocean Aquaculture Development

Re: Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act (S. 2586/H.R. 5746)

Dear Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Chairman Westerman, and Ranking Member Huffman:

On behalf of the American Fisheries Society, I’m writing in support of the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act of 2025 (S.2586/H.R. 5746) and urge you to advance this important legislation that would provide for the responsible expansion of open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters.

Founded in 1870, the American Fisheries Society is the oldest and largest professional society of fisheries and aquatic biologists, managers, and researchers in the world. At its core, AFS is a science organization.  The society hosts scientific conferences and publishes five peer-reviewed journals, along with a monthly magazine and a robust books program. AFS seeks to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science, promoting the development of fisheries professionals, and advocating for the use of the best-available science in policymaking.

The demand for fish is expected to grow significantly in the next decade.  However, it is unlikely that wild capture fisheries can sustainably accommodate increased harvest pressure to meet this demand. Expanding domestic seafood supplies through aquaculture in the open ocean can address America’s ongoing dependence on imported seafood, improve seafood security, relieve local pressures on wild stocks, and boost investments in waterfront communities. As one of the most climate-friendly forms of protein production, aquaculture can also reduce the carbon footprint of our food systems as protein demand increases.

In 2020, AFS adopted a position in support of the expansion of U.S. aquaculture. In that statement, AFS called for “a clear, predictable, regulatory framework that will enable industry growth in a conscientious, environmentally sustainable manner.” AFS further called for “continued, consistent investments in research to understand effects of aquaculture development on fisheries and aquatic resources, and innovation to minimize negative environmental and social impacts of fish cultivation.” The statement further provided, “By establishing a clear and predictable legal and regulatory structure for marine aquaculture in the U.S., we can reduce the overreliance on seafood imports and improve seafood security with wholesome, domestically farmed seafood that minimizes the environmental and social footprint of the industry on our marine habitat and resources.” 

For many years, AFS has worked to dispel false and outdated scientific information around the environmental impacts of open ocean aquaculture.  With the significant advances in fish farming technology and use of best management practices, the environmental footprint of fish farming has been significantly reduced.  We urge you to consider the latest science, including the use of sophisticated modeling tools to site farms where there are minimal environmental impacts and user conflicts, advances in feed formulation to reduce wild fish inputs, vaccines and probiotics to support fish health, and cameras and sensors to closely monitor feeding to reduce water quality impacts.

The assessment program provided for in the MARA Act will allow NOAA’s Office of Aquaculture to study the environmental impacts of commercial-scale aquaculture farms in U.S. federal waters. The data from these farms will allow for the evaluation of environmental impacts, if any, and will provide robust data for NOAA to then develop a set of regulatory standards to guide the future expansion of open ocean aquaculture in the U.S.  Importantly, the bill maintains existing environmental safeguards and incorporates best practices that AFS has long supported as a means to achieve responsible aquaculture expansion.

The MARA Act fully aligns with AFS’ goals for the expansion of U.S. aquaculture. We urge you to advance this important legislation.

Sincerely,

Jeff Kopaska
Executive Director