119-s2586

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2586 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 2586

 To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to establish an assessment program for commercial-scale 
 offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects, to establish 
 Aquaculture Centers of Excellence, to support aquaculture workforce 
 development and working waterfronts, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 July 31, 2025

Mr. Wicker (for himself and Mr. Schatz) introduced the following bill; 
 which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
 Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

 To require the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration to establish an assessment program for commercial-scale 
 offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects, to establish 
 Aquaculture Centers of Excellence, to support aquaculture workforce 
 development and working waterfronts, and for other purposes.

 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Marine Aquaculture 
Research for America Act of 2025'' or the ``MARA Act of 2025''.

    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Purposes.

Sec. 3. Definitions.
 TITLE I--OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE

Sec. 101. Office of Aquaculture.
 TITLE II--COMMERCIAL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

Sec. 201. Assessment program for offshore aquaculture.

Sec. 202. Permits for demonstration projects for offshore aquaculture 
 facilities.

Sec. 203. Coordination of permit reviews for demonstration projects.

Sec. 204. Reporting by assessment program participants.

Sec. 205. Rule of construction; savings provisions.
 TITLE III--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING, AND OTHER SUPPORT

Sec. 301. General support for industry.

Sec. 302. Aquaculture Centers of Excellence.

Sec. 303. Working waterfronts preservation grant program.

Sec. 304. Outreach on sustainable offshore aquaculture.
 TITLE IV--STUDIES AND REPORTS

Sec. 401. Study on offshore aquaculture by Ocean Studies Board of the 
 National Academies of Sciences, 
 Engineering, and Medicine.

Sec. 402. Report on offshore aquaculture by Government Accountability 
 Office.

SEC. 2. PURPOSES.

 The purposes of this Act are--

    (1) to authorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
 Administration to establish and study commercial-scale 
 demonstration projects to answer scientific questions needed to 
 safely and sustainably regulate offshore aquaculture in the 
 United States;

    (2) to commission a study and report to assess the 
 environmental and regulatory viability of a United States 
 offshore aquaculture industry;

    (3) to support aquaculture workforce development and 
 working waterfronts by creating new jobs and to support 
 existing jobs and businesses within the seafood industry of the 
 United States, including jobs and businesses for traditional 
 participants in the fishing industry;

    (4) to establish Aquaculture Centers of Excellence to meet 
 the needs of the growing domestic sustainable aquaculture 
 industry; and

    (5) to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by 
 expanding the domestic supply of seafood through the production 
 of sustainable offshore aquaculture.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

 In this Act:

    (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

    (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
 Administrator of the Administration.

    (3) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term 
 ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means--
        (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
 Transportation, the Committee on Environment and Public 
 Works, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and 
 Forestry of the Senate; and
        (B) the Committee on Natural Resources, the 
 Committee on Agriculture, and the Committee on 
 Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
 Representatives.

    (4) Aquaculture.--The term ``aquaculture''--
        (A) means any activity involved in the propagation, 
 rearing, or attempted propagation or rearing, of 
 cultured species, including the capture and rearing of 
 broodstock; and
        (B) does not include the practice of--
            (i) capturing juvenile finfish to rear to 
 maturity in an aquaculture facility for 
 subsequent commercial sale; or
            (ii) the practice of rearing and releasing 
 cultured species for the purpose of enhancing 
 wild populations.

    (5) Aquaculture stakeholder.--The term ``aquaculture 
 stakeholder'' means--
        (A) an owner or operator of an offshore aquaculture 
 facility;
        (B) a Regional Fishery Management Council 
 established under 

section 302

    (a) of the Magnuson-
 Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
 U.S.C. 1852

    (a) );
            (C) an interstate fisheries commission;
            (D) a conservation organization;
        (E) a fisheries association;
        (F) a State or county government;
        (G) an Indian Tribe;
        (H) a Native Hawaiian organization;
            (I) a Native Hawaiian community;
        (J) a Tribal or Indigenous community;
        (K) a Federal or State agency with interests in 
 aquaculture; or
            (L) any other interested party.

    (6) Coastal state.--The term ``coastal State'' has the 
 meaning given the term ``coastal state'' in 

section 304

    (4) of 
 the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453

    (4) ).

    (7) Cultured species.--The term ``cultured species''--
        (A) means any species propagated and reared for 
 marine aquaculture;
        (B) includes larval marine shellfish species that 
 self-recruit in the offshore environment; and
            (C) excludes any member of the class Aves, 
 Reptilia, or Mammalia.

    (8) Escape.--The term ``escape'' means the escape of 
 juvenile- or adult-farmed organisms, viable gametes, or 
 fertilized eggs spawned by farmed organisms from offshore 
 aquaculture facilities.

    (9) Exclusive economic zone.--
        (A) In general.--Unless otherwise specified by the 
 President in the public interest in a writing published 
 in the Federal Register, the term ``exclusive economic 
 zone'' means a zone, the outer boundary of which--
            (i) except as provided by clause
            (ii) , is 
 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which 
 the breadth of the territorial sea is measured; 
 or
            (ii) 
            (I) if an applicable maritime boundary 
 treaty is in force or is being provisionally 
 applied by the United States, is established by 
 that treaty; or
            (II) in the absence of such a treaty and in 
 a case in which the distance between the United 
 States and another country is less than 400 
 nautical miles, is a line equidistant between 
 the United States and the other country.
        (B) Inner boundary.--Without affecting any 
 Presidential proclamation with regard to the 
 establishment of the United States territorial sea or 
 exclusive economic zone, the inner boundary of the 
 exclusive economic zone is--
            (i) in the case of the coastal States, a 
 line coterminous with the seaward boundary of 
 each such State, as described in 

section 4 of 
 the Submerged Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1312);
            (ii) in the case of the Commonwealth of 
 Puerto Rico, a line 9 nautical miles from the 
 coastline of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
            (iii) in the case of American Samoa, the 
 United States Virgin Islands, or Guam, a line 3 
 geographic miles from the coastlines of 
 American Samoa, the United States Virgin 
 Islands, or Guam, respectively; or
            (iv) in the case of the Commonwealth of the 
 Northern Mariana Islands--
            (I) the coastline of the 
 Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
 Islands, until the Commonwealth of the 
 Northern Mariana Islands is granted 
 authority by the United States to 
 regulate all fishing to a line seaward 
 of its coastline; and
            (II) upon the United States grant 
 of such authority, the line established 
 by such grant of authority.
            (C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
 paragraph may be construed to diminish the authority of 
 the Department of Defense, the Department of the 
 Interior, or any other Federal agency.

    (10) Fishery stakeholders.--The term ``fishery 
 stakeholders'' means--
        (A) subsistence fishery participants and their 
 dependents;
        (B) fishing vessel crews;
            (C) fish processor and distribution workers;
            (D) recreational fisheries;
        (E) Tribal fisheries; and
        (F) territorial fishing communities, including such 
 communities in American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth 
 of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the 
 United States Virgin Islands.

    (11) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the 
 meaning given that term in 

section 4 of the Indian Self-
 Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).

    (12) Institution of higher education.--The term 
 ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given that 
 term in 

section 201 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
 U.S.C. 1001).

    (13) Native hawaiian community.--The term ``Native Hawaiian 
 community'' means the distinct Native Hawaiian indigenous 
 political community that Congress, exercising its plenary power 
 over Native American affairs, has recognized and with which 
 Congress has implemented a special political and trust 
 relationship.

    (14) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native 
 Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given that term in 
 

section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517) and includes the Department of Hawaiian 
 Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

    (15) National sea grant college program.--The term 
 ``national sea grant college program'' means the program 
 maintained under 

section 204

    (a) of the National Sea Grant 
 College Program Act (33 U.S.C. 1123

    (a) ).

    (16) Offshore aquaculture.--The term ``offshore 
 aquaculture'' means aquaculture conducted in the exclusive 
 economic zone.

    (17) Offshore aquaculture facility.--The term ``offshore 
 aquaculture facility'' means--
        (A) an installation or structure used, in whole or 
 in part, for offshore aquaculture; or
        (B) an area of the seabed, water column, or the 
 sediment used for offshore aquaculture.

    (18) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several 
 States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, 
 territory, or possession of the United States.

    (19) Tribal fishery.--The term ``Tribal fishery'' means a 
 fishery that is--
        (A) owned, operated, or managed by a Tribal or 
 Indigenous community; or
        (B) located in an area--
            (i) that is subject to the jurisdiction of 
 an Indian Tribe; and
            (ii) for which the Indian Tribe has 
 sovereign authority over fishing activity in 
 the area.

    (20) Tribal land.--The term ``Tribal land'' means land that 
 is subject to the jurisdiction of an Indian Tribe.

    (21) Tribal or indigenous community.--The term ``Tribal or 
 Indigenous community'' means a population of people who are--
        (A) enrolled members of an Indian Tribe;
        (B) members of an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian 
 community or organization; or
            (C) members of any other community of Indigenous 
 people located in a State.

 TITLE I--OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE

SEC. 101. OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established within the headquarters of 
the National Marine Fisheries Service of the Administration the Office 
of Aquaculture (in this section referred to as the ``Office'').

    (b) Resources.--The Administrator shall ensure the Office is 
provided with sufficient resources to carry out the duties of the 
Office under subsection
            (d) .
            (c) Representation at Regional Fisheries Offices.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall provide for 
 representation of the Office in each of the regional fisheries 
 offices of the Administration.

    (2) Minimum presence.--In carrying out paragraph

    (1) , the 
 Administrator--
        (A) shall provide for the placement of at least one 
 regional aquaculture coordinator from the Office in 
 each regional fisheries office;
        (B) shall otherwise ensure that the representation 
 of the Office at a regional fisheries office is, at a 
 minimum, sufficient to permit the Office to fulfill the 
 duties of the Office under subsection
            (d) ; and
            (C) may increase that representation to the extent 
 warranted by the activity and interest of aquaculture 
 stakeholders in the region.
            (d) Duties.--

    (1) In general.--The Office shall--
        (A) coordinate the implementation of this Act, 
 including administration of--
            (i) the aquaculture research program 
 established under subsection

    (e) ;
            (ii) the offshore aquaculture assessment 
 program established under 

section 201; and
            (iii) the issuance of permits under 

section 202;
        (B) coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, 
 and international issues related to aquaculture within 
 the Administration;
            (C) collaborate with and leverage existing efforts 
 by the national sea grant college program--
            (i) to conduct outreach, education, 
 extension services, and training efforts for 
 aquaculture and offshore aquaculture; and
            (ii) to engage with aquaculture 
 stakeholders and, from time to time, convene 
 conferences for aquaculture stakeholders to 
 exchange information and ideas;
            (D) maintain aquaculture capacity in the regions 
 covered by the regional fisheries offices of the 
 Administration;
        (E) develop recommendations for performance 
 standards for offshore aquaculture operations that, at 
 a minimum--
            (i) encourage development of offshore 
 aquaculture in a manner that complies with 
 environmental law;
            (ii) are based on the best scientific 
 information available;
            (iii) take into account traditional 
 knowledge of Tribal and Indigenous communities 
 as appropriate to the region;
            (iv) are adaptive to offshore aquaculture 
 developments, such as updates in technology and 
 changes in environmental conditions; and
            (v) prefer species that are native or 
 historically naturalized to the region; and
        (F) prioritize the health of cultured species.

    (2) Agreements with states.--
        (A) In general.--Upon request of the Governor of a 
 coastal State, the Office shall enter into an agreement 
 with the State to allow the State, and aquaculture 
 stakeholders in the State as appropriate, to 
 participate in the activities authorized under sections 
 201 and 203 and titles III and IV, as though--
            (i) the aquaculture conducted in the 
 State's coastal waters were offshore 
 aquaculture; and
            (ii) facilities for aquaculture in the 
 State's coastal waters were offshore 
 aquaculture facilities.
        (B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this 
 paragraph or in any agreement entered into under this 
 paragraph shall be construed to affect the authority of 
 the Administrator to issue permits for or regulate 
 aquaculture in State waters, except as expressly 
 provided in such an agreement.

    (e) Aquaculture Research Program and Duties.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish, and 
 provide resources (in addition to the resources required under 
 subsection

    (b) ) for, an aquaculture research program that draws 
 upon the scientific capacity of programs of the Administration, 
 such as the Fisheries Science Centers, the national sea grant 
 college program, and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean 
 Science, to support the efforts of the Office to implement this 
 Act.

    (2) Functions.--As part of the aquaculture research program 
 established under paragraph

    (1) , the Office shall--
        (A) ensure that commercial-scale offshore 
 aquaculture demonstration projects for which permits 
 are issued under 

section 202 are scientifically 
 monitored to support the implementation of this Act;
        (B) evaluate data;
            (C) conduct additional research to support the 
 development of sustainable offshore aquaculture;
            (D) administer support for industry under 

section 301;
        (E) administer the Aquaculture Centers of 
 Excellence under 

section 302;
        (F) administer the contract to conduct the study 
 described in 

section 401; and
        (G) coordinate the engagement of the Administration 
 with the Comptroller General of the United States as 
 the Comptroller General prepares the report required by 
 

section 402.

    (f) Budget Request.--The Administrator shall include, in the budget 
justification materials submitted to Congress in support of the budget 
of the President for a fiscal year pursuant to 

section 1105 of title 
31, United States Code, a request for funding for the Office as a 
separate line item with the National Marine Fisheries Service.

 TITLE II--COMMERCIAL-SCALE DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

SEC. 201. ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish an 
assessment program (in this section referred to as the ``assessment 
program'') with the objective of assessing the viability of offshore 
aquaculture--

    (1) in light of changing circumstances and advances in 
 technology; and

    (2) using the best available science, information from 
 aquaculture stakeholders, and information developed from 
 demonstration projects for which permits are issued under 
 

section 202.

    (b) Elements.--At a minimum, the assessment program shall examine 
the following in order to determine the viability of offshore 
aquaculture:

    (1) The ability of different commercial-scale facility 
 designs and operational methods--
        (A) to survive various atmospheric and ocean 
 conditions to the extent possible, including high wind 
 speeds or high-energy ocean conditions associated with 
 severe weather, or tidal or tsunami activity, without--
            (i) escapes;
            (ii) loss of or damage to infrastructure; 
 or
            (iii) wildlife entanglement resulting from 
 loss or damaged infrastructure;
        (B) to prevent adverse wildlife impacts to the 
 extent possible, including entanglements of large 
 whales, sea turtles, and other species protected 
 under--
            (i) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); and
            (ii) the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.);
            (C) to prevent adverse impacts on the marine 
 environment to the extent possible, including impacts 
 to habitat, water chemistry, and wildlife; and
            (D) to prevent adverse impacts on navigation and 
 safety, to the extent possible, to existing ocean users 
 due to offshore aquaculture facilities, including 
 requirements for operations, navigation, and transit 
 associated with such facilities.

    (2) The ability of different technologies to provide 
 reliable and timely data on offshore aquaculture facilities, 
 including visual data and other relevant data types, on a 
 regular basis to enable the Administrator to monitor--
        (A) the compliance of demonstration projects for 
 which permits are issued under 

section 202 with the 
 requirements under subsection

    (b) of such section;
        (B) impacts on the marine environment; and
            (C) interference with existing uses of the water 
 bodies in which demonstration projects for which 
 permits are issued under 

section 202 are located.

    (3) The relative risks, benefits, and costs of various 
 types of offshore aquaculture, including different species of 
 finfish in different geographies and under varying climactic 
 and ecological conditions.
            (c) Report Required.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
which the Administrator establishes the assessment program, the 
Administrator shall publish, make available to the public, and submit 
to the National Academy of Sciences and the Comptroller General of the 
United States, a report that includes the following:

    (1) A description of each demonstration project for which a 
 permit is issued under 

section 202, including documentation 
 supporting the issuance of the permit.

    (2) A summary of the information submitted to the 
 Administrator for each such demonstration project.

    (3) A description of the progress made toward meeting the 
 objective described in subsection

    (a) .

SEC. 202. PERMITS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS FOR OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE 
 FACILITIES.

    (a) Issuance of Permits.--After the Administrator establishes the 
assessment program under 

section 201, the Administrator shall issue 
permits for demonstration projects for proposed offshore aquaculture 
facilities in furtherance of the assessment program.

    (b) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for the issuance of a 
permit under subsection

    (a) , a demonstration project is required to--

    (1) advance the objective described in 

section 201

    (a) ;

    (2) cultivate only native or historically naturalized 
 species that pose a minimal threat of harm to wildlife and the 
 ecosystem in which the project is located;

    (3) incorporate design and operational practices that 
 minimize the risk of escape, wildlife entanglement, and adverse 
 pollution impacts;

    (4) develop an escape response and infrastructure loss or 
 damage plan that minimizes the impact of any escapes or 
 infrastructure loss or damage on the marine environment and on 
 other uses of the water body in which the project is located;

    (5) comply with all applicable requirements of--
        (A) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 
 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) (commonly referred to as the 
 ``Clean Water Act'');
        (B) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
 1531 et seq.);
            (C) the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 
 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); and
            (D) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);

    (6) maximize compatibility with, and prevent or minimize 
 displacement of, existing uses and users of the marine 
 environment in the near vicinity of where the project is 
 located;

    (7) conform to best practices to avoid or minimize the use 
 of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals and minimize the 
 release of such pharmaceuticals into the environment; and

    (8) be designed and managed in partnership with--
        (A) a land-grant college or university (as defined 
 in 

section 1404 of the National Agricultural Research, 
 Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 
 3103));
        (B) a historically black college or university (as 
 defined by the term ``part B institution'' in 

section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
 1061));
            (C) a 1994 Institution (as defined in 

section 532 
 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 
 1994 (Public Law 103-382; 7 U.S.C. 301 note)); or
            (D) a sea grant college (as defined in 

section 203 
 of the National Sea Grant College Program Act (33 
 U.S.C. 1122)).
            (c) Authorized Activities.--A person that holds a permit for a 
demonstration project issued under subsection

    (a) may conduct offshore 
aquaculture consistent with--

    (1) this Act, including regulations prescribed to carry out 
 this Act; and

    (2) other applicable provisions of law, including 
 regulations.
            (d) Applications.--A person seeking a permit for a demonstration 
project shall submit to the Administrator an application that 
specifies--

    (1) the proposed location of the offshore aquaculture 
 facility and the location of on-shore facilities used for 
 propagation or rearing of cultured species, such as hatcheries 
 or research operations;

    (2) the type of aquaculture operations that will be 
 conducted at all facilities described in paragraph

    (1) ;

    (3) the cultured species, or a specified range of species, 
 to be propagated or reared, or both, at the offshore 
 aquaculture facility;

    (4)
        (A) the source of eggs, larvae, or juvenile cultured 
 species that will be used in offshore aquaculture operations;
        (B) an analysis of the likely ecosystem impacts of such 
 operations, such as the spread of pathogens; and
            (C) the information upon which the analysis was based;

    (5) plans to respond to--
        (A) a natural disaster;
        (B) an escape;
            (C) disease;
            (D) loss or damage to infrastructure; and
        (E) other circumstances designated by the 
 Administrator; and

    (6) such other design, construction, and operational 
 information as the Administrator may require to ensure the 
 integrity of the operations and contingency planning.

    (e) Notice, Public Comment, and Objections.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall--
        (A) not later than 90 days after receiving an 
 application under this section, publish in the Federal 
 Register a notice summarizing the application; and
        (B) invite and consider public comments, and formal 
 objections from any Governor or Tribal leader of a 
 specially affected coastal jurisdiction, on 
 applications for permits under this section.

    (2) Specially affected coastal jurisdiction.--In this 
 subsection, the term ``specially affected coastal 
 jurisdiction'' means any coastal State or Indian Tribe--
        (A) the land, Tribal land, or waters of which--
            (i) are adjacent to the Federal waters in 
 which the project will be conducted; and
            (ii) are used, or are scheduled to be used, 
 as a support base for the project; and
        (B) for which there is a reasonable probability of 
 significant effect on uses of land, Tribal land, or 
 water from the project.

    (f) Priority Consideration.--In considering applications for 
permits for demonstration projects under this section, the 
Administrator shall give priority consideration to applications for 
demonstration projects--

    (1) owned or operated by applicants who can demonstrate 
 that the demonstration project will directly benefit 
 individuals who are already participating in the agricultural, 
 wild-caught fishery, or aquaculture industries who have been 
 negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural 
 disasters, or major disasters declared under 

section 401 of the 
 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
 (42 U.S.C. 5170); or

    (2) sited within an Aquaculture Opportunity Area identified 
 by the Secretary of Commerce in accordance with 

section 7 of 
 Executive Order 13921 (16 U.S.C. 1801 note; relating to 
 promoting American seafood competitiveness and economic 
 growth).

    (g) Socioeconomic Data.--In considering applications for permits 
for demonstration projects under this section, and to support the study 
described in 

section 401, the report required by 

section 402, and the 
assessment program established under 

section 201, the Administrator 
shall collect socioeconomic data associated with the owner or operator 
of, and communities employed or otherwise affected by, each 
demonstration project.

    (h) Decisions With Respect to Issuance, Deferral, or Denial.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
 conclusion of the period for public comments under subsection

    (e) with respect to an application for a permit for a 
 demonstration project under this section, the Administrator 
 shall--
        (A) issue the permit, if the Administrator 
 determines the application complies with the 
 requirements of this Act, the National Environmental 
 Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), and other 
 applicable law;
        (B) if the Administrator determines that the 
 application does not comply with the requirements 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) and can be modified to 
 comply with those requirements--
            (i) defer the decision on the permit; and
            (ii) provide to the applicant a notice that 
 specifies modifications to the proposed 
 demonstration project needed for a permit to be 
 issued; or
            (C) if the Administrator determines that the 
 application does not comply with the requirements 
 described in subparagraph
        (A) and that the application 
 cannot be modified to comply with such requirements, 
 deny the permit and provide a justification for the 
 denial.

    (2) Other approval.--
        (A) In general.--An application for a permit for a 
 demonstration project under this section shall be 
 considered approved, as if a permit for the application 
 had been issued under paragraph

    (1)
        (A) , if--
            (i) the Administrator does not take action 
 under subparagraph
        (A) ,
        (B) , or
            (C) of 
 paragraph

    (1) within 90 days after the 
 conclusion of the period for public comments 
 under subsection

    (e) with respect to the 
 application;
            (ii) no formal objection to the application 
 has been received from the Governor or Tribal 
 leader of a specially affected coastal 
 jurisdiction (as defined in subsection

    (e) ); 
 and
            (iii) the Administrator has determined that 
 the application complies with the requirements 
 described in paragraph

    (1)
        (A) .
        (B) Process.--The Administrator shall establish a 
 process for the approval of applications under this 
 paragraph.
            (i) Effective Period.--A permit for a demonstration project issued 
under this section--

    (1) shall be in effect during the 10-year period beginning 
 on the date on which the project begins in-water operations; 
 and

    (2) may be renewed as provided by subsection

    (k) .

    (j) Renewal.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator may renew a permit, that 
 has not been revoked, for a demonstration project issued under 
 this section for an additional 10-year period after the 10-year 
 period described in subsection
            (i) (1) if--
        (A) the owner or operator of the project submits to 
 the Administrator a proposal for renewal of the permit 
 by a date determined by the Administrator; and
        (B) the Administrator determines that the permit, 
 as modified by the proposal, remains in compliance with 
 the requirements described in subsection

    (j)

    (1) .

    (2) Notice and public comment.--The Administrator shall--
        (A) publish in the Federal Register a notice 
 summarizing each proposal received under paragraph

    (1) with respect to the renewal of a permit;
        (B) invite public comments for a period of not less 
 than 60 days regarding each such proposal; and
            (C) consider such comments in determining whether 
 to approve the renewal of the permit.

    (k) Authority To Modify or Terminate Participation of Demonstration 
Projects and Order Removal of Facilities.--The Administrator may 
require modifications to a demonstration project for which a permit is 
issued under this section, terminate such a permit, or order the 
removal of an offshore aquaculture facility authorized to operate under 
such a permit, if--

    (1)
        (A) the project incurs an incident involving a death or 
 serious personal injury and the Administrator determines that 
 negligence of the project operator was the cause of or a 
 contributing factor to the incident;
        (B) operation of the project results in a violation of--
            (i) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 
 1531 et seq.); or
            (ii) the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 
 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.);
            (C) the owner or operator of the project fails to comply 
 with all of the terms and conditions of--
            (i) the permit; or
            (ii) modifications required by the Administrator 
 under this subsection; or
            (D) the Administrator determines that operation of the 
 demonstration project would be unsafe or result in unacceptable 
 negative impacts to--
            (i) the marine environment;
            (ii) nearby communities; or
            (iii) other users of the water body in which the 
 project is located; and

    (2) before requiring a modification to the demonstration 
 project, terminating the permit, or ordering the removal of the 
 offshore aquaculture facility--
        (A) the Administrator provides a warning notice to 
 the owner or operator of the project; and
        (B) the owner or operator is given an opportunity 
 to address the Administrator's concerns.
            (l) Coastal Zone Management Act Review.--The submission of an 
application for a permit for a demonstration project under this section 
shall trigger the right of review by a coastal State under the Coastal 
Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.).

SEC. 203. COORDINATION OF PERMIT REVIEWS FOR DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.

    (a) In General.--The Administration shall serve as the lead Federal 
agency for purposes of providing information on Federal permitting 
requirements for demonstration projects under 

section 202.

    (b) Informal Consultations.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall convene 
 representatives of the agencies described in paragraph

    (2) to 
 provide prospective applicants for permits for demonstration 
 projects under 

section 202 an opportunity for informal 
 consultation with such agencies.

    (2) Agencies described.--The agencies described in this 
 paragraph are the following:
        (A) The Department of Agriculture.
        (B) The Environmental Protection Agency.
            (C) The Army Corps of Engineers.
            (D) The Department in which the Coast Guard is 
 operating.
        (E) The Department of Defense.
        (F) Any other agency the Administrator considers 
 appropriate.

    (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
 preclude an applicant or a prospective applicant from 
 contacting Federal agencies directly.
            (c) Environmental Analysis.--To the extent allowable under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), any 
environmental analysis or environmental impact statement required under 
that Act for offshore aquaculture activities proposed to be carried out 
under a demonstration project under 

section 202 shall be conducted 
through a single, consolidated environmental review and the 
Administration, through the Office of Aquaculture established by 

section 101, shall serve as the lead Federal agency.
            (d) Coordination of Permit Reviews.--To the extent practicable 
under this Act and all other applicable laws, including regulations, 
Federal agencies with permitting requirements applicable to offshore 
aquaculture activities proposed to be carried out under a demonstration 
project under 

section 202 shall coordinate their review processes in 
order to provide a timely response to an applicant not later than 180 
days after the submission of the application.

SEC. 204. REPORTING BY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which a 
demonstration project for which a permit is issued under 

section 202 
commences, and annually thereafter until the demonstration project 
terminates, the owner or operator of the demonstration project shall 
submit to the Administrator the following:

    (1) Production data.

    (2) Information on interactions with wild species, 
 mitigation measures taken, and the results of such interactions 
 and measures.

    (3) Information on technology and operational practices 
 used to measure and monitor--
        (A) effluent;
        (B) integrity of cage materials and other gear; and
            (C) health of the cultivated species.

    (4) Information on environmental and ecosystem impacts.

    (5) Data necessary for the Ocean Studies Board of the 
 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to 
 complete the study described in 

section 401.

    (6) Owner, operator, and employee demographic data and 
 other relevant data as determined appropriate by the 
 Administrator for purposes of assessing--
        (A) the direct benefits of the demonstration 
 project to fishery stakeholders; and
        (B) the economic and social benefits of the 
 demonstration project for nearby coastal communities.

    (7) Information on navigation and safety impacts to 
 existing ocean users.

    (8) Such additional information as the Administrator 
 requires to fulfill the goals and objective of the assessment 
 program established under 

section 201.

    (b) Technical Assistance.--The Administrator shall, upon request, 
provide technical assistance to owners and operators of demonstration 
projects for which permits are issued under 

section 202 to comply with 
the reporting requirements of this section.
            (c) Emergency Reporting.--The Administrator shall establish an 
emergency reporting process for each owner or operator of a 
demonstration project for which a permit is issued under 

section 202 to 
immediately report suspected or known interactions between project 
facilities or vessels and protected wild species.

SEC. 205. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION; SAVINGS PROVISIONS.

    (a) Rule of Construction.--Any requirement in this title to 
identify or consider an impact or effect on human health or the 
environment shall be construed as including a requirement to make such 
identification or consideration while taking into account--

    (1) the cumulative impact of such impact or effect in the 
 context of all sources of emissions, discharges, or releases 
 from any source, past, present, or in the reasonably 
 foreseeable future, on the affected environment and population;

    (2) any characteristics of such environment and population 
 that may heighten vulnerability to environmental pollution and 
 related health risks; and

    (3) any action or practice that, even if appearing neutral, 
 has the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination on 
 the basis of race, color, or national origin.

    (b) Statutory Construction.--A permit for a demonstration project 
issued under 

section 202 shall not supersede or substitute for any 
other authorization required under Federal or State law.
            (c) Applicability.--This title does not apply with respect to 
applications for a permit in process on the date of the enactment of 
this Act or permits that are in effect on that date.

 TITLE III--WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, FINANCING, AND OTHER SUPPORT

SEC. 301. GENERAL SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall support the development of 
offshore aquaculture consistent with this Act and other applicable 
Federal law.

    (b) Marketing and Promotion Grants.--The Administrator, in 
consultation with private sector aquaculture stakeholders, shall 
establish and administer a grant program to support the sale and public 
perception of cultured species domestically and internationally.
            (c) Workforce Development Grants.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator, in consultation with 
 private sector operators of offshore aquaculture facilities, 
 academic institutions, and the national sea grant college 
 program, shall establish and administer a grant program to 
 support the education and training of individuals with the 
 skills needed to manage and operate offshore aquaculture 
 facilities.

    (2) Aquaculture centers of excellence.--The Administrator 
 may carry out paragraph

    (1) through the program established 
 under 

section 302

    (b)

    (1) .
            (d) Regional Networks.--The Administrator, through each regional 
fisheries office of the Administration, shall organize a network of--

    (1) regional experts and Federal agency contacts, in 
 coordination with relevant organizations, including the 
 national sea grant college program, the Regional Aquaculture 
 Centers of the Department of Agriculture, institutions of 
 higher education, and the Cooperative Extension System of the 
 Department of Agriculture, to provide technical expertise and 
 extension services for offshore aquaculture and information on 
 Federal permit requirements for offshore aquaculture; and

    (2) individuals and businesses interested in aquaculture 
 operations and products to facilitate professional development, 
 marketing, mentoring opportunities, and agency outreach and 
 education on aquaculture.

    (e) Aquaculture Database.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish and 
 maintain an aquaculture database within the Office of 
 Aquaculture established by 

section 101.

    (2) Inclusions.--The database required by paragraph

    (1) shall include information on research, technologies, monitoring 
 techniques, best practices, and advisory board recommendations 
 relating to aquaculture and offshore aquaculture.

    (3) Safeguarding of information.--The Administrator shall 
 make the database required by paragraph

    (1) available in a 
 manner that safeguards personally identifiable information and 
 confidential business information.

    (4) Patents.--The inclusion of information in the database 
 required by paragraph

    (1) shall not be considered to be 
 publication for purposes of subsection

    (a) or

    (b) of 

section 102 of title 35, United States Code.

    (f) Technical Assistance Programs for Operators.--

    (1) In general.--The Administrator, through the Office of 
 Aquaculture established by 

section 101 and the regional 
 aquaculture coordinators described in such section, shall 
 organize a program in each regional fisheries office of the 
 Administration to provide technical assistance to operators of 
 offshore aquaculture facilities.

    (2) Tailoring.--The programs required by paragraph

    (1) shall be tailored to meet the unique needs of each region.

    (3) Consultations.--Under each program required by 
 paragraph

    (1) , the regional aquaculture coordinators described 
 in 

section 101 may conduct consultations with the operator of 
 each offshore aquaculture facility in the region concerned on a 
 regular basis--
        (A) to assess the status of the operator's 
 business; and
        (B) if appropriate, to identify available resources 
 to support the operator, such as regional experts, 
 university extension agents, and grant opportunities.

    (g) Capital Markets.--

    (1) Provision of information.--In order to enhance access 
 to capital markets, the Administrator shall provide financial 
 institutions and investment firms with objective, science-based 
 information on offshore aquaculture and the Federal regulatory 
 regime for offshore aquaculture.

    (2) Economic analysis.--The Administrator shall provide 
 economic analysis to answer queries regarding the value of 
 offshore aquaculture assets to secure financing, such as 
 equipment, governmental permits, inventory, and intellectual 
 property.

    (3) Collaboration.--In order to achieve the goals of this 
 subsection, the Administrator is encouraged to collaborate with 
 the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the Treasury, 
 and the regional networks established under subsection
            (d) .

SEC. 302. AQUACULTURE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Covered institution.--The term ``covered institution'' 
 means--
        (A) a minority-serving institution;
        (B) a Native Hawaiian-serving institution;
            (C) an Alaska Native-serving institution;
            (D) a historically Black college or university; or
        (E) a Tribal college or university.

    (2) Historically black college or university.--The term 
 ``historically Black college or university'' has the meaning 
 given the term ``part B institution'' in 

section 322 of the 
 Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).

    (3) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
 serving institution'' means an eligible institution described 
 in paragraph

    (2) ,

    (4) ,

    (5) ,

    (6) , or

    (7) of 

section 371

    (a) of 
 the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q

    (a) ).

    (4) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal 
 college or university'' means a Tribal College or University 
 (as defined in 

section 316

    (b) of the Higher Education Act of 
 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c

    (b) )) that is chartered by the governing 
 body of the applicable Indian Tribe or by the Federal 
 Government.

    (b) Aquaculture Curriculum Grants.--

    (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
 the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
 with private sector aquaculture stakeholders, academic 
 institutions, and the national sea grant college program, shall 
 establish a program to award grants to covered institutions to 
 assist in establishing or enhancing an aquaculture curriculum 
 for undergraduate, graduate, or certificate courses of study at 
 such covered institutions.

    (2) Aquaculture centers of excellence.--A covered 
 institution that receives a grant under this section shall be 
 known as an ``Aquaculture Center of Excellence''.

    (3) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
 this section, a covered institution shall submit to the 
 Administrator an application that includes any plans to partner 
 with one or more other institutions of higher education as 
 authorized under paragraph

    (5) .

    (4) Use of grant amounts.--
        (A) In general.--A covered institution receiving a 
 grant under this section shall use the grant amounts to 
 establish or enhance an aquaculture curriculum for 
 undergraduate, graduate, or certificate courses of 
 study that may include the following:
            (i) Training in various skills needed by 
 successful aquaculture entrepreneurs, 
 including--
            (I) offshore aquaculture 
 operations;
            (II) business management, strategic 
 planning, business plan development, 
 capital financing and fundraising, 
 financial management and accounting, 
 market analysis and competitive 
 analysis, and market entry and strategy 
 execution; and
            (III) any other skill specific to 
 the needs of the student population and 
 the surrounding community, including 
 with respect to social and 
 environmental sustainability, as 
 determined by the covered institution.
            (ii) Natural and social science research 
 programs in aquaculture and natural fisheries, 
 including offshore aquaculture.
            (iii) Development of extension programs (or 
 cooperation with existing extension programs) 
 that--
            (I) educate and engage community 
 members, including elementary and 
 secondary school students, on 
 aquaculture and aquaculture career 
 pathways; and
            (II) transfer newly developed 
 techniques and research information 
 developed or collated at the covered 
 institution to aquaculture 
 stakeholders.
            (iv) Career development, such as the 
 establishment of cooperatives, apprenticeships, 
 internships, practicums, mentorships, 
 accelerators, or grant competitions.
        (B) Limitations on use of grant amounts.--Amounts 
 from a grant awarded under this section may be used 
 only for expenses directly related to the 
 implementation of the curriculum or activities 
 authorized under this section.

    (5) Partnerships.--In applying for grants and carrying out 
 activities with grant amounts under this section, a covered 
 institution may partner with one or more other institutions of 
 higher education with established aquaculture programs, 
 including institutions of higher education not otherwise 
 eligible for grants under this section, to facilitate the 
 sharing of resources and knowledge necessary for the 
 development or enhancement of aquaculture curriculum at the 
 covered institution.
            (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030, to remain available until expended.

SEC. 303. WORKING WATERFRONTS PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the 
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (referred to 
in this section as the ``Secretary''), shall award grants, on a 
competitive basis, that support the commercial fishing industry, the 
aquaculture industry, the for-hire recreational fishing industry, or 
the boatbuilding industry in coastal States.

    (b) Application.--An entity desiring a grant under this section 
shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such 
information as the Secretary may reasonably require.
            (c) Considerations.--In selecting entities to receive a grant under 
this section, the Secretary shall give substantial weight to--

    (1) the economic significance of a project to the 
 commercial fishing industry, the aquaculture industry, the for-
 hire recreational fishing industry, or the boatbuilding 
 industry in the immediate vicinity and in the coastal State in 
 which the project is located;

    (2) the availability of waterfront access points for the 
 commercial fishing industry, the aquaculture industry, the for-
 hire recreational fishing industry, or the boatbuilding 
 industry within the community in which the entity seeks to 
 carry out the project;

    (3) the utility of the project for use in the commercial 
 fishing industry, the aquaculture industry, the for-hire 
 recreational fishing industry, or the boatbuilding industry 
 with respect to the natural characteristics and developed 
 infrastructure of the community in which the project will be 
 located;

    (4) whether the entity has a business plan for the project;

    (5) anticipated or likely impacts of the project on 
 existing uses, including commercial fishing, aquaculture, 
 offshore aquaculture, for-hire recreational fishing, or 
 boatbuilding;

    (6) the ability of the entity to demonstrate a need, or 
 support, for the project within that community; and

    (7) if the project will confer property protection 
 benefits, and the duration of those benefits.
            (d) Cost-Sharing.--A grant under this section for a project may not 
exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

    (e) Improved or Protected Property.--

    (1) In general.--A grant under this section may be used to 
 improve or protect privately-owned real property or interests 
 in privately-owned real property, including easements, only 
 from willing owners.

    (2) No exercise of eminent domain.--No Federal, State, or 
 local agency may exercise the power of eminent domain to secure 
 title to any real property or facilities in connection with a 
 project carried out with a grant under this section.

    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2026 through 2030.

SEC. 304. OUTREACH ON SUSTAINABLE OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall conduct outreach on 
sustainable offshore aquaculture to promote understanding, science-
based decision making, and commercial adoption.

    (b) Engagement.--In carrying out subsection

    (a) , the Administrator 
shall use appropriate means to engage--

    (1) the general public;

    (2) community leaders;

    (3) governmental officials;

    (4) the business community;

    (5) the academic community; and

    (6) the nonprofit sector.

 TITLE IV--STUDIES AND REPORTS

SEC. 401. STUDY ON OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE BY OCEAN STUDIES BOARD OF THE 
 NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND 
 MEDICINE.

    (a) In General.--The Administrator shall seek to enter into a 
contract with the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies of 
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (in this section referred to as the 
``Board'') under which the Board shall, not later than 5 years after 
the date on which the Administrator establishes the assessment program 
under 

section 201--

    (1) complete a study to develop the scientific basis for 
 efficient and effective regulation of offshore aquaculture; and

    (2) submit to Congress and make publicly available the 
 results of the study.

    (b) Elements.--The study completed pursuant to subsection

    (a) shall, with respect to offshore aquaculture--

    (1) identify--
        (A) optimal methods of operation of offshore 
 aquaculture facilities to limit adverse effects on the 
 environment, wildlife, and human well-being, 
 including--
            (i) considerations to guide siting 
 decisions of such facilities;
            (ii) appropriate stocking densities; and
            (iii) opportunities for selective breeding;
        (B) a science-based definition of ``responsible 
 offshore aquaculture feed or other inputs'', including 
 guidance on sourcing feed or other inputs to address 
 long- or short-term concerns, including the 
 availability and scalability of such inputs;
            (C) potential adverse effects on the environment, 
 wildlife, and human well-being, including from--
            (i) the use of antibiotics and other 
 pharmaceuticals by offshore aquaculture 
 facilities, including through analyses 
 necessary to establish acceptable rates, impact 
 levels, and risk thresholds, such as analyses 
 of organism antibiotic consumption or 
 metabolization versus excretion to the 
 surrounding environment;
            (ii) assimilation of pollution originating 
 from offshore aquaculture facilities on marine 
 organisms;
            (iii) abandoned, lost, damaged or otherwise 
 discarded equipment;
            (iv) harmful interactions with wildlife;
            (v) interbreeding between cultured species 
 and native marine species;
            (vi) the spread of disease from cultured 
 species to wild species;
            (vii) the collection and removal of brood 
 stock for offshore aquaculture operations, and 
 hatcheries and prestocking rearing operations 
 that are specific to offshore aquaculture;
            (viii) large-scale cultivation of filter-
 feed bivalve organisms and seaweed;
            (ix) offshore aquaculture facilities acting 
 as aggregating devices and increasing the 
 vulnerability of wild fisheries and wildlife 
 populations to fishing or other sources of 
 mortality;
            (x) predator control devices and methods; 
 and
            (xi) the use of non-sustainable sources of 
 feed or other inputs, including the use of 
 globally limited marine resources for feed 
 ingredients, and scalability of alternatives, 
 including--
            (I) novel ingredients (for example, 
 insect, single cell protein, and 
 algae);
            (II) traditional ingredients (for 
 example, soya); and
            (III) other inputs;
            (D) potential methods and technologies to mitigate 
 adverse effects, including the effects identified under 
 subparagraph
            (C) ;
        (E) potential conflicts between offshore 
 aquaculture facilities and other users of the offshore 
 environment, and solutions to mitigate such conflicts;
        (F) the types of data and qualitative information 
 necessary for the optimal operation of offshore 
 aquaculture facilities and appropriate methods of 
 procuring such data and information, including from--
            (i) citizen science (as defined in 

section 402
            (c) of the Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science 
 Act (15 U.S.C. 3724
            (c) )); and
            (ii) the traditional knowledge of Tribal 
 and Indigenous communities; and
        (G) best practices for offshore aquaculture siting 
 and operations to manage and plan for predicted changes 
 in global atmospheric and oceanographic conditions; and

    (2) provide recommendations for legislative or 
 administrative action with respect to--
        (A) methods of operation identified under paragraph

    (1)
        (A) ;
        (B) mitigating adverse effects identified under 
 paragraph

    (1)
            (C) ;
            (C) environmental standards, control rules, or 
 reference points that build on the existing public and 
 private standards for the sustainability of offshore 
 aquaculture; and
            (D) ensuring that operators of offshore aquaculture 
 facilities adhere to international standards for social 
 responsibility, public health, and equitable labor 
 practices, including with respect to sourcing inputs 
 for such facilities.

SEC. 402. REPORT ON OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 
 OFFICE.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 5 years after the date on which the 
Administrator establishes the assessment program under 

section 201, the 
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of Congress a report examining the permitting, 
monitoring, and regulation of offshore aquaculture during the 15-year 
period ending on such date of establishment.

    (b) Bases of Report.--The Comptroller General shall base the report 
required by subsection

    (a) on available literature, case studies, and 
aquaculture stakeholder input.
            (c) Elements of Report.--The report required by subsection

    (a) shall--

    (1) assess the feasibility and potential positive and 
 negative implications of designating a lead agency to issue 
 permits for offshore aquaculture operations in a timely manner;

    (2) identify lessons learned during the period described in 
 subsection

    (a) with respect to--
        (A) the effect of offshore aquaculture type, 
 location, and regulatory framework on the success of 
 offshore aquaculture projects;
        (B) the degree of involvement of coastal or 
 adjacent States or Tribal or Indigenous communities in 
 consultations for, planning for, or operations of 
 offshore aquaculture;
            (C) safety protocols and risk mitigation measures 
 for the permitting and oversight processes for offshore 
 aquaculture, including--
            (i) escape prevention measures;
            (ii) emergency event response planning;
            (iii) compliance monitoring, particularly 
 in remote locations;
            (iv) compliance with Federal laws;
            (v) mechanisms for reporting to appropriate 
 Federal authorities; and
            (vi) vessel navigation aids to ensure 
 navigational safety;
            (D) the effect of incentives to reduce adverse 
 effects or disparate impacts from offshore aquaculture 
 operations;
        (E) building and optimizing synergies between 
 offshore aquaculture and wild-caught fishing 
 activities, or offshore, nearshore, and onshore 
 aquaculture activities, including market development, 
 increasing seafood consumption, and shared 
 infrastructure;
        (F) the environmental effects of offshore 
 aquaculture operations, including mechanisms to prevent 
 harm to the environment, wildlife, or human well-being;
        (G) the net economic and social benefits of 
 offshore aquaculture projects, particularly for nearby 
 communities and fishery stakeholders, based on project 
 size, regulatory structures, and financing structures;
        (H) the impact of introducing offshore aquaculture 
 products to the marketplace on supply and demand for 
 wild-capture fisheries products, and methods for 
 ensuring resiliency and growth for both offshore 
 aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries products;
            (I) mechanisms to enhance capital investment, 
 workforce development, and equitable opportunity 
 requirements or assistance programs in the permitting 
 process for offshore aquaculture, or to diversify 
 permit applicants;
        (J) outstanding needs for continued research, 
 development, education activities, programs, and 
 funding regarding--
            (i) offshore aquaculture projects; and
            (ii) development of the domestic workforce 
 and entrepreneurship related to offshore 
 aquaculture;
        (K) the economic potential for both large- and 
 small-scale offshore aquaculture operations to generate 
 a positive return on investment under various 
 regulatory and financing structures;
            (L) the applicability and sufficiency of existing 
 regulatory systems for offshore aquaculture; and
            (M) existing local, State, Federal, and foreign 
 regulatory standards that may serve as models for 
 efficient and effective regulation of offshore 
 aquaculture; and

    (3) include such recommendations as the Comptroller General 
 may have with respect to future offshore aquaculture 
 operations, including with respect to--
        (A) regulatory processes necessary for permitting, 
 monitoring, and oversight, including processes and 
 techniques related to siting, deployment, operations, 
 and decommissioning;
        (B) potential safeguards, data collection, or 
 monitoring required to minimize disparate impacts on 
 specially affected coastal jurisdictions (as defined in 
 

section 202

    (e) ), fishery stakeholders, local economies, 
 marine environments, and existing domestic economic 
 sectors;
            (C) mechanisms for optimizing coordination among 
 Federal agencies with a role in permitting or 
 supporting offshore aquaculture without compromising 
 the goals of such permitting;
            (D) methods for effectively involving aquaculture 
 stakeholders, including--
            (i) specially affected coastal 
 jurisdictions (as defined in 

section 202

    (e) );
            (ii) local communities;
            (iii) regional offshore waters users and 
 management groups, including regional fishery 
 management councils; and
            (iv) users of local, State, Tribal, and 
 Federal waters and coastal resources;
        (E) best practices for incorporating local 
 knowledge, including from Tribal or Indigenous 
 communities;
        (F) capabilities of Federal agencies that are 
 necessary for effective regulation of the offshore 
 aquaculture sector; and
        (G) how creating private rights of action or 
 waiving sovereign immunity would affect the development 
 of offshore aquaculture projects and the acceptance of 
 such projects by nearshore and offshore waters user 
 groups and coastal communities.
 <all>