Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025
The Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025 would bar federal agencies from issuing permits or taking actions to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture in the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) unless a new federal statute explicitly authorizing such action is enacted after the bill becomes law. In short, federal approval for offshore finfish farming could occur only if Congress passes a new law after enactment; current authority to allow such activities would be blocked unless a future statute provides explicit authorization. The bill also defines finfish narrowly (excluding amphibians, seaweeds/algae, and invertebrates like shellfish) and would treat “commercial finfish aquaculture” as any activity to propagate or rear finfish in captivity for commercial purposes. The EEZ reference relies on Proclamation 5030 (March 10, 1983) to outline the zone.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition scope: Federal agencies may not issue permits or take actions to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture in the EEZ, except under a federal statute enacted after the bill’s passage.
- 2Post-enactment authorization: Any allowed activity would require a new statute enacted after the enactment date, meaning no current or pending authority is automatically grandfathered in.
- 3Definitions: Finfish are defined as aquatic finfish in any life stage and explicitly exclude amphibians, seaweeds/algae, and invertebrates (including shellfish). Commercial finfish aquaculture means propagation or rearing finfish in captivity or under positive control for commercial purposes.
- 4EEZ reference: The bill cites the U.S. EEZ as established by Proclamation 5030 (1983) to define the geographic scope.
- 5Short title: The act is titled the “Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025,” signaling its policy goal of keeping offshore finfish farming out of federal waters unless Congress authorizes it.