MARA Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Ezell
Introduced
Summary
Create a federal Office of Aquaculture and test commercial-scale offshore farms to grow U.S. seafood production, support coastal jobs, and build a science-based permitting system. The bill would fund demonstration projects, technical assistance, and a National Academies study to guide safe, sustainable offshore aquaculture.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants to upgrade working waterfronts
If enacted, this would create a competitive Working Waterfronts Grant Program. It would provide $50 million each year from FY2025 through FY2029. Grants could cover up to 75% of project costs, with waivers for disadvantaged or low‑capacity communities. The Secretary would decide applications within 60 days, and acquisitions must be from willing sellers at fair market value. Most projects must allow reasonable public access and carry a permanent working‑waterfront covenant.
College grants for aquaculture training
If enacted, this would fund a competitive grant program for aquaculture education. It would provide $25 million each year from FY2026 through FY2030. Grants would go to covered schools like HBCUs, Tribal colleges, and other minority‑serving institutions. Funds would support new courses, research, internships, apprenticeships, and business training. Grantees would be named Aquaculture Centers of Excellence within one year after enactment.
New NOAA office and business support
If enacted, NOAA would set up an Office of Aquaculture with regional coordinators to help operators. The office would run outreach to communities and leaders about sustainable aquaculture. It would create a public database of research, technologies, and best practices while protecting confidential info. The office would also give lenders and investors science‑based information and asset value analyses to support financing.
Studies to guide safe aquaculture rules
If enacted, NOAA would seek a National Academies study to set science‑based best practices for offshore aquaculture. The study would be due within five years after the assessment program starts and would be public. It would review risks, feeds, siting, climate impacts, conflicts with other ocean users, and mitigation tools. GAO would also report within five years after the assessment starts, looking back 15 years and recommending improvements to permitting, monitoring, and safeguards.
Permit path for offshore fish farms
If enacted, NOAA would start an assessment program within 180 days to study offshore aquaculture viability. After that, it would open a permit pathway for demonstration projects. Applications must list the site, species, and contingency plans and trigger public notice and State or Tribal review. NOAA would decide within 90 days after comments. Permits would last 10 years, with a possible 10‑year renewal. Operators would file annual reports, and NOAA could require fixes or removal for safety, legal, or environmental harms. Reviews would be coordinated across agencies to speed decisions.
Grants to market farmed seafood
If enacted, NOAA would offer grants to improve sales and public perception of cultured seafood. The program would be set up and run with industry input. Funds could support domestic and export marketing efforts by producers and seafood businesses.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Ezell
MS • R
Cosponsors
Cammack
FL • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Case
HI • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Panetta
CA • D
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Weber (TX)
TX • R
Sponsored 10/14/2025
Vindman
VA • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Tokuda
HI • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Schmidt
KS • R
Sponsored 11/21/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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