S 2586119th CongressIn Committee

MARA Act of 2025

Introduced: Jul 31, 2025

Immigration

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The MARA Act of 2025 (Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act) would create a formal Office of Aquaculture within NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service and authorize a structured program to test and develop offshore aquaculture in the United States. It establishes a dedicated assessment program for commercial‑scale offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects, authorizes permits for those projects with detailed eligibility criteria and public review, and requires interagency coordination and data reporting. In addition, the bill seeks to support the industry through workforce development, regional expertise networks, and “Aquaculture Centers of Excellence,” plus a program to preserve working waterfronts and conduct outreach on sustainable offshore aquaculture. It also calls for independent studies and a GAO report on environmental and regulatory viability. The overall aim is to expand domestic seafood production, reduce the trade deficit, and create jobs while safeguarding the environment and existing water uses.

Key Points

1Office of Aquaculture and coordination
2- Establishes the Office of Aquaculture within NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, with regional representation and dedicated staff to coordinate aquaculture activities, research, permitting, outreach, and international issues.
3- Duties include developing performance standards for offshore operations, incorporating tribal knowledge where appropriate, maintaining regional capacity, and collaborating with sea grant programs and other partners.
4- Ability to enter agreements with coastal States to treat certain coastal waters as offshore aquaculture for programmatic purposes, while preserving State authority over in-State waters.
5Commercial-scale offshore demonstration program (Section 201-205)
6- Creates a mandatory assessment program within 180 days to evaluate viability of offshore aquaculture, focusing on technology, environmental impacts, wildlife interactions, navigation, and data needs.
7- After establishing the assessment, the Administrator may issue permits for demonstration projects (Section 202). Projects must use native or historically naturalized species, minimize escapes and environmental risks, have escape/infrastructure-loss plans, comply with major environmental laws, and be designed in partnership with eligible institutions (land‑grant universities, HBCUs, 1994 Institutions, or Sea Grant colleges).
8- Public involvement: requires 90‑day federal register notice, public comments, and allow objections from specially affected coastal jurisdictions (coastal States or tribes adjacent to the project area).
9- Priority considerations for applications: projects benefiting communities hit hard by COVID-19 or disasters, and those located in Aquaculture Opportunity Areas identified by the Secretary of Commerce.
10- Socioeconomic data collection: tracks owner/operator and community impacts, including navigation/safety impacts and economic effects.
11- Permit terms: permits last 10 years of in-water operation, with possible 10-year renewals; allows modifications or removal if safety, environmental, or compliance concerns arise; NEPA and Coastal Zone Management Act review requirements apply.
12- Environmental analysis coordination and interagency permit review: lead Federal agency role for environmental reviews; aim for coordinated, timely responses (target: ~180 days for permit reviews).
13- Triggered environmental reviews: submission of permit applications prompts Coastal Zone Management Act review in coastal States.
14Workforce development, financing, and support (Section 301-305)
15- Grants to support marketing, education, and training for offshore aquaculture workers; collaboration with private sector, Sea Grant, and higher education.
16- Regional networks via regional fisheries offices to connect experts, agencies, and industry for technical assistance, mentoring, and outreach.
17- Aquaculture database to catalog R&D, technologies, monitoring methods, and best practices, with safeguards for privacy and confidential business information.
18- Technical assistance programs for operators to help meet reporting and compliance requirements.
19Studies and reporting (Title IV)
20- A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) study on offshore aquaculture (via the Ocean Studies Board) and a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress on offshore aquaculture and the act’s implementation.
21Definitions and scope
22- Offshore aquaculture is limited to the exclusive economic zone (EEZ); offshore facilities include structures or seabed areas used for aquaculture.
23- “Cultured species” include species propagated/reared for marine aquaculture and certain shellfish capable of self-recruitment, but exclude birds, reptiles, and mammals.
24- The bill emphasizes native or historically naturalized species, minimizing escapes and environmental harm, and prioritizes environmental compliance and traditional knowledge.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Aquaculture industry stakeholders (farmers, investors, operators), coastal States, Native American tribes and Indigenous communities, and working waterfronts.- NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service and other Federal permitting agencies will take on expanded roles in permitting, monitoring, and interagency coordination.- Coastal communities and fishery sectors that may benefit from new jobs and supply chains, as well as those concerned about environmental and navigation impacts.Secondary group/area affected- Researchers and higher education institutions (land‑grant universities, HBCUs, 1994 institutions, Sea Grant programs) involved in aquaculture R&D, extension, and workforce training.- Wildlife and environmental interests due to emphasis on minimizing ecological impacts and adherence to NEPA, ESA, and MMPA requirements.- Small and regional operators who might participate through demonstration projects and workforce programs.Additional impacts- Potential reduction in the U.S. seafood trade deficit through increased domestic production.- Increased regulatory clarity and a unified framework for offshore aquaculture permitting, with strong emphasis on safety, environmental protection, and public participation.- Creation of new data systems (aquaculture database) and long-term workforce pipelines, with regional networks to support industry growth.- Fiscal implications include new budget line items for the Office and funding for centers, grants, and demonstration projects, plus oversight by NAS and GAO.Demonstration project: a pilot offshore aquaculture facility permitted under this Act to test designs, species, and practices before broader commercialization.Aquaculture Centers of Excellence: regional or topic-focused centers to enhance research, training, and technology transfer for sustainable offshore aquaculture.Working waterfronts: efforts to preserve access to waterfront facilities for fishing and related industries, ensuring continued economic activity as aquaculture expands.Specially affected coastal jurisdiction: coastal States or Tribes whose lands, waters, or shore-based facilities could be significantly affected by a project.Aquaculture Opportunity Area: designated areas identified by the Secretary of Commerce as favorable for developing domestic aquaculture.

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