Mississippi Gulf News

This week, Congressman Mike Ezell joined Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), Co-Chairs of the bipartisan House Aquaculture Caucus, in introducing the "Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act" (AQUAA Act). 

The bill supports the development of a sustainable marine aquaculture industry in the United States; advances the access to investment capital; develops sustainable marine aquaculture to complement sustainable fisheries and ecosystem-based management; clarifies the federal regulatory regime for sustainable offshore aquaculture; supports research and technology; and reduces the U.S. seafood trade deficit by expanding the domestic supply of seafood.

"In order to meet the demand for fresh, American seafood, we must find ways to increase aquaculture production across our coastal states and communities," said Congressman Ezell. "I'm proud to cosponsor the AQUAA Act that will create blue economy jobs along the Gulf Coast while protecting our most precious resources."

"Aquaculture should be one of our priorities as we grow our focus on food security. In Florida, we've seen the benefits of aquaculture firsthand—breeding, raising, and harvesting shellfish, fish, and aquatic plants in our waters. We've demonstrated that it's possible to provide healthy, fresh food that's produced sustainably at home to support our growing population," said Congresswoman Cammack. "I'm pleased to introduce the AQUAA Act with my colleagues who share the same enthusiasm for growing our domestic aquaculture industries and improving our infrastructure to feed the American population."

"For decades we have pursued the promise of open ocean aquaculture as part of our larger goal of sustainable management of our marine resources. States like Hawai'i have led the way in developing sustainable and safe aquaculture in state waters, but development in federal waters throughout our exclusive economic zone has been hampered by a confusing and often contradicting regulatory scheme that does not sufficiently protect our marine environment," said Congressman Case. "Our bipartisan, bicameral AQUAA Act would provide a consistent efficient regulatory umbrella to help fully unlock the potential of open ocean aquaculture in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive and science-based way and grow economies for coastal states and food security for the nation. I thank Congresswoman Cammack, along with our counterparts in the Senate, Senators Schatz and Wicker, for partnering on this important bill and look forward to working with them and many others toward expanding sustainable aquaculture."

"Establishing a robust American aquaculture industry would help address many of the pressing issues we face on June 13. From strengthening the seafood supply chain to creating new jobs in American communities, and helping grow more sustainable protein here at home as climate change threatens wild stocks, offshore aquaculture would provide many benefits for our nation," said Drue Banta Winters, Campaign Manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). "SATS thanks Reps. Cammack, Case and Ezell for helping educate other Members of Congress about the need for federal legislation to establish a federal permitting process for offshore aquaculture here in the U.S."

Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Senate companion. 

Original source can be found here.