{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Legislation","name":"AQUAA Act","description":"

Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act or the AQUAA Act

This bill establishes national standards for sustainable offshore aquaculture. It also establishes a national plan to identify and designate aquaculture opportunity areas.

The Department of Commerce must develop a plan and time line to systematically (1) assess the exclusive economic zone, (2) prepare an inventory of sites suitable for aquaculture opportunity areas, and (3) designate aquaculture opportunity areas.

Commerce must also establish a research and development grant program to promote research and extension activities, including to (1) create innovative design and engineering solutions to common obstacles within the aquaculture industry; (2) evaluate the role of genetics in relation to brood stock production, disease management, and interactions between cultured species and wild stocks; and (3) improve techniques for monitoring, assessing, and addressing environmental impacts of aquaculture and develop and evaluate methodologies to prevent, minimize, and mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts.

The bill directs Commerce to create an Office of Aquaculture within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, and international issues related to aquaculture.

The bill also establishes a unified permitting and review process for aquaculture operations.

","legislationIdentifier":"S 4723","legislationType":"Bill","legislationLegalForce":"NotInForce","legislationJurisdiction":"USA","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Roger F. Wicker","url":"https://legisdaily.com/mp/rogerf-wicker-us"}],"about":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Public Lands and Natural Resources"},"keywords":"Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Advisory bodies, Agricultural education, Agricultural marketing and promotion, Agricultural research, Alaska Natives and Hawaiians, Animal and plant health, Aquaculture, Assault and harassment offenses, Business investment and capital, Business records, Civil actions and liability, Congressional oversight, Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation, Department of Commerce, Economic performance and conditions, Education programs funding, Emergency planning and evacuation, Environmental assessment, monitoring, research, Executive agency funding and structure, Federal-Indian relations, Fishes, Food industry and services, Food supply, safety, and labeling, Fraud offenses and financial crimes, Genetics, Government information and archives, Government studies and investigations, Indian lands and resources rights, Intergovernmental relations, Judicial review and appeals, Labor standards, Law enforcement officers, Licensing and registrations, Marine and coastal resources, fisheries, Migrant, seasonal, agricultural labor, Natural disasters, Public participation and lobbying, Research administration and funding, Research and development, Seafood, State and local government operations, Veterinary medicine and animal diseases, Water quality, Watersheds","dateModified":"2025-01-14T00:00:00.000Z","url":"https://legisdaily.com/bill/USA-116-S-4723"}

Roger F. Wicker

Roger F. Wicker

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee