This bill mandates comprehensive USDA reporting on aquaculture, promotes equitable treatment for seafood producers in federal programs, and extends financial and research support to the domestic aquaculture industry.
Frank Pallone
Representative
NJ-6
The Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood Act mandates comprehensive reporting from the USDA on its spending and support for the domestic seafood industry to ensure transparency and equity. It requires the USDA to treat aquaculture producers equally with traditional farmers in grant applications and mandates training for USDA staff on the importance of seafood production. Finally, the bill extends funding for aquaculture research centers and directs the development of a tailored federal crop insurance product for fish and shellfish farmers.
New SEAS Act Mandates USDA Treat Fish Farmers Equally to Land Farmers for Grants, Allocates $30M Annually for Aquaculture Centers
If you’re wondering why your grocery store still relies heavily on imported shrimp and salmon, it often comes down to the simple fact that fish farming—or aquaculture—hasn't always gotten the same support as traditional corn or cattle farming. The Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood Act (SEAS Act) aims to change that by forcing the USDA to treat the folks raising fish, oysters, and sea vegetables the same way they treat land-based animal agriculture.
This bill is essentially a massive policy correction, making sure that if you’re an aquaculture producer, you get the same consideration for federal grants as someone raising beef or chicken (SEC. 201). It’s not enough just to be considered; the USDA must ensure that aquaculture producers receive "fair and adequate" funding levels. This means the people farming clams in the ocean or raising catfish in ponds should have a much easier time accessing the capital they need to grow their operations, hire workers, and compete with foreign imports.
The USDA Goes to School on Seafood
One of the biggest practical hurdles for fish farmers has been dealing with USDA staff who simply aren't familiar with aquaculture. Imagine trying to get a loan for a specialized piece of equipment when the loan officer only understands tractors. The SEAS Act addresses this head-on by requiring the USDA to implement an internal education requirement for its Farm Service Agency (FSA) employees (SEC. 202). This training must cover who qualifies for aquaculture programs and how crucial this industry is to the U.S. food supply. Within two years, the Secretary of Agriculture must also issue an official memo declaring that aquaculture is a "crucial part of the U.S. food system," which is a significant policy shift.
Putting Money Where the Fish Are
Beyond equal access, the bill throws concrete financial support at the industry’s infrastructure. It extends funding for the Regional Aquaculture Centers—the research hubs that help farmers solve problems like disease and water quality—allocating $30 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 (SEC. 301). This dedicated, long-term funding stabilizes a critical part of the domestic seafood research network. Furthermore, the bill creates a new competitive grant program, authorized at $10 million annually (2026–2030), specifically for developing next-generation seafood technology, such as more efficient, less polluting fishing gear (SEC. 302).
Crop Insurance for Clams
Perhaps the most stabilizing provision for producers is the mandate to create a dedicated insurance policy. Right now, if a traditional farmer’s corn crop fails due to drought, they have crop insurance. If a hurricane wipes out an oyster farm or a disease kills off a fish harvest, the options are often limited. The SEAS Act requires the federal crop insurance corporation to research and implement a crop insurance policy specifically for aquaculture products (SEC. 303). This policy must be ready for the first reinsurance year after the law is enacted. For a fish farmer, this moves their business from a high-risk, high-volatility venture to one with a crucial safety net, making banks more likely to lend and encouraging expansion.
Transparency and Oversight
Finally, the bill increases transparency through mandatory reporting. The USDA must now submit annual reports to Congress detailing exactly how much money it spends on buying seafood, promoting the industry, and issuing grants (SEC. 101). This report will run through 2028. Additionally, a comprehensive report is due within two years that evaluates the USDA’s current support, assesses the environmental pros and cons of fish farming, and compares the access that fish farmers have to resources versus land farmers (SEC. 102). This level of required data collection means Congress and the public will finally have a clear picture of how much—or how little—the federal government is supporting this sector, making future funding decisions much more evidence-based.