Industry coalition Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) commends the leadership of Reps. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Ed Case (D-HI), Steven Palazzo (R-MS) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), inaugural co-chairs of the new bipartisan Aquaculture Caucus in the U.S. Congress.

The House Aquaculture Caucus was established as a resource and forum to educate members of Congress about the economic opportunities that an expanded U.S. aquaculture industry would provide congressional districts nationwide. The caucus will also provide policy updates and share initiatives in Congress that will help make American aquaculture more competitive globally.

In addition to the co-chairs, the introductory caucus members include Reps. Salud Carbajal, Jerry Carl, Buddy Carter, Rick Crawford, Scott Franklin, French Hill, Maria Salazar, Abigail Spanberger, and Rob Wittman.

“SATS thanks Reps. Cammack, Case, Palazzo and Panetta for establishing a congressional caucus for lawmakers to learn about the benefits that a robust aquaculture industry would provide communities nationwide,” said Horace Dawson, III, general counsel of Red Lobster and member of SATS. “The growth of American aquaculture would create new jobs across the seafood supply chain while supplying our communities with local, sustainable seafood. For the U.S. to realize the full economic potential of aquaculture, federal legislation is needed.”

“Aquaculture should be one of the United States' priorities as we grow our focus on food security. In Florida, we've seen the benefits of aquaculture firsthand, breeding, raising, and harvesting shellfish, fish, and aquatic plants in our waters. We've demonstrated that it's possible to provide healthy, fresh food that's produced sustainably at home to support our growing population,” said congresswoman Cammack. “The Aquaculture Caucus shares our enthusiasm for pushing these industries and their innovations forward while growing our infrastructure and market domestically."

“Aquaculture has always held great promise to help us achieve our broader goals of creating sustainable food systems and responsibly managing our marine resources,” said Congressman Case. “Congress should focus more directly on how best to mold federal policy to realize the full potential of American aquaculture. Our new Aquaculture Caucus will provide that focus as we clarify often confusing and contradicting regulatory schemes while ensuring that we protect our marine environment.”