SEAfood Act

The SEAfood Act requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to commission a National Academies study on offshore aquaculture's environmental impacts, regulatory needs, and potential benefits. It establishes an assessment program for demonstration projects that must use native species, avoid salmon, follow strict environmental safeguards, and prioritize projects owned by veterans or benefiting communities with environmental justice concerns. The bill creates Aquaculture Centers of Excellence at minority-serving institutions, historically Black colleges, and Tribal Colleges to develop aquaculture curricula focused on business skills, research, and community engagement. It mandates regular reporting on project impacts, includes provisions to protect coastal communities and marine ecosystems, and requires consultation with Tribal and Indigenous communities. The legislation aims to establish science-based regulatory standards while promoting equitable opportunities in the growing aquaculture industry.