H.R. 4898: SEAS Act

This bill, known as the Supporting Equity for Aquaculture and Seafood Act (SEAS Act), aims to enhance equity and support for aquaculture and the seafood industry through various measures involving the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here’s a breakdown of the bill’s key components:

Aquaculture Definition

The bill defines aquaculture as the controlled breeding, rearing, and harvesting of fish, shellfish, sea vegetables, and other organisms in various water environments.

Reports on Aquaculture

The bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to provide annual reports to Congress regarding:

• Total expenditures by the USDA on seafood and aquaculture purchases, including grants.
• Expenditures on promoting and supporting the seafood and aquaculture industries.
• The number and amount of grants provided to the seafood and aquaculture sectors.
• Grants made for research in seafood and aquaculture.

Additionally, within two years, the Secretary must submit a report evaluating the USDA’s role and support for the aquaculture and seafood industries, including assessing domestic seafood processing capacity and the environmental impacts of aquaculture.

Equity in Grant Programs

The bill seeks to ensure that aquaculture producers receive the same consideration as traditional animal agriculture producers in USDA grant programs. This includes providing adequate funding levels for aquaculture through these programs.

Department of Agriculture Education Requirements

To enhance understanding and support for aquaculture, the bill requires USDA employees to receive training on:

• Eligibility for aquaculture-related federal grants.
• The role of aquaculture in the agricultural sector.
• Support provided by the USDA to seafood and aquaculture production.

A memorandum will be issued to affirm aquaculture's importance in U.S. agriculture, and educational conferences will be convened every two years for USDA employees and stakeholders.

Support for Aquaculture Producers

The bill establishes provisions to support aquaculture producers through:

• Funding for regional aquaculture centers, providing $30 million annually from 2026 to 2030.
• Encouraging shellfish research under agricultural initiatives, focusing on increasing survivability and adaptability.
• Supporting the development of next-generation technologies to make the seafood and aquaculture industries more efficient and environmentally friendly, with $10 million allocated for this purpose annually through 2030.
• Research and insurance policy development for aquaculture products, with the aim of introducing a comprehensive insurance policy to protect aquaculture outputs.

Summary of Goals

The primary goals of the SEAS Act are to:

• Promote research and development in the aquaculture and seafood sectors.
• Ensure equitable support and consideration for aquaculture producers in federal programs.
• Enhance the education of USDA staff regarding aquaculture's significance.
• Establish funding and resources to boost aquaculture production and sustainability.

Relevant Companies

None found.