Aquaculture America 2026

February 16 - 19, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

Add To Calendar 18/02/2026 08:45:0018/02/2026 09:05:00America/Los_AngelesAquaculture America 2026U.S. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ON OFFSHORE AQUACULTUREConcorde CThe World Aquaculture Societyjohnc@was.orgfalseDD/MM/YYYYanrl65yqlzh3g1q0dme13067

U.S. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE ON OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE

Drue Banta Winters

Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS)

P.O. Box 155

Fairhope, AL 36533

drue@strongerthroughseafood.org

 



 Offshore aquaculture in the U.S. has the unique potential to improve American food security and nutrition, enhance coastal resiliency, create quality jobs, help restore species and habitats, and ensure that seafood (both wild-caught and farmed) continues to be an important part of the global food supply.

Yet, U.S. aquaculture is currently constrained by the absence of an efficient and affordable permitting process, particularly in U.S. federal waters.  Misinformation on the environmental footprint of aquaculture also continues to hamper social acceptance of expanding aquaculture. Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) has been working to pass bi-partisan legislation to expand aquaculture in U.S. federal waters.  A new bill, the Marine Aquaculture Research for America Act, introduced in the 119th Congress, takes a middle ground between the AQUAA Act and the SEAfood Act.  The bill holds great promise to break the gridlock and set the state for expanding U.S. aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. 

Join SATS’ Campaign Manager, Drue Banta Winters, for an overview of the federal legislative landscape around offshore aquaculture in the 119th Congress. Learn about SATS efforts to move new bipartisan legislation forward, the shifting dynamics on this issue, and out how you can show your support for US aquaculture.