A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The MARA Act of 2025 seeks to establish an assessment program for commercial-scale offshore aquaculture through demonstration projects. It mandates the creation of an Office of Aquaculture within the National Marine Fisheries Service to coordinate research, regulation, and outreach. The bill establishes Aquaculture Centers of Excellence to support industry growth and workforce development. Additionally, it provides for a Working Waterfronts Preservation Grant Program to support existing seafood industry businesses. The legislation also requires scientific studies and reports to assess the environmental and regulatory viability of the industry. Ultimately, the goal is to expand the domestic supply of seafood and reduce the United States seafood trade deficit.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +7
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill establishes workforce development grants and aquaculture centers of excellence to create new jobs in the seafood industry.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides direct support through grants for industry development and infrastructure preservation.
- Scored +5
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
The bill provides grant opportunities specifically for historically Black colleges and universities.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill introduces risks of escapes, wildlife entanglement, and pollution to the marine environment through offshore aquaculture.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Job Creation and Economic Support: The bill aims to create new jobs and support existing jobs and businesses within the seafood industry, including those in traditional fishing industries (Section 2).
- Workforce Training: The establishment of Aquaculture Centers of Excellence and workforce development grants will support the education and training of individuals needing skills to manage and operate offshore aquaculture facilities (Section 301 and 302).
- Support for Diverse Institutions: Grant programs for aquaculture curriculum are directed toward "covered institutions," which include minority-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, Alaska Native-serving, Tribal colleges, and historically Black colleges or universities (Section 302).
- Preservation of Coastal Infrastructure: The Working Waterfronts Preservation Grant Program allows for the acquisition or improvement of wharfs, boat ramps, and other facilities to support commercial and recreational fishing and related businesses (Section 303).
- Increased Seafood Supply: The act intends to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by expanding the domestic supply of seafood (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Environmental and Wildlife Risks: The bill identifies potential risks such as the escape of farmed organisms, wildlife entanglement (including large whales and sea turtles), and adverse impacts on water chemistry and marine habitats (Section s 201 and 202).
- Impact on Existing Ocean Users: There is a recognized risk of adverse impacts on navigation and safety for existing ocean users due to the presence of offshore aquaculture facilities (Section 201).
- Potential for Disease and Pollution: Demonstration projects must manage risks related to the spread of disease from cultured species to wild species and the potential release of antibiotics or pharmaceuticals into the environment (Section 202 and 401).
- Industry Displacement: The bill includes requirements to ensure that aquaculture projects maximize compatibility with, and prevent or minimize the displacement of, existing uses and users of the marine environment (Section 202).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides direct support through grants for industry development and infrastructure preservation. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill provides grant opportunities specifically for historically Black colleges and universities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes support for Tribal colleges and the integration of traditional knowledge in aquaculture. Would students be better off under this? — The establishment of Aquaculture Centers of Excellence provides new educational paths and training opportunities. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill focuses on workforce development and vocational training within the seafood industry. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill supports coastal and working waterfront communities through dedicated grant programs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill supports educational opportunities and vocational training through various grant programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes workforce development grants and aquaculture centers of excellence to create new jobs in the seafood industry. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The Working Waterfronts Preservation Grant Program provides support for existing seafood industry businesses and infrastructure.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill directs aquaculture curriculum grants toward minority-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, Alaska Native-serving, Tribal colleges, and HBCUs.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill provides grants to covered institutions to establish or enhance aquaculture curricula.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — The act aims to reduce the United States seafood trade deficit by expanding domestic supply.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of assessment reports and the maintenance of an aquaculture database.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The Working Waterfronts Preservation Grant Program supports the development and maintenance of coastal infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill introduces risks of escapes, wildlife entanglement, and pollution to the marine environment through offshore aquaculture.
- 1/7/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/14/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Kat CammackRepublican · Florida
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Mariannette Miller-MeeksRepublican · Iowa
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas