Open Ocean Aquaculture Permitting Process Highlighted in New Stronger America Through Seafood Video Series
February 19, 2026 | 5 min to read
Three-part series uses firsthand stories to illustrate for Congress why federal legislation is urgently needed
Washington, D.C. – Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) announced the launch of a new three-part video series produced to illustrate the need for federal open ocean aquaculture legislation. Through firsthand accounts from leaders across the seafood and agriculture supply chain, the series highlights how the lack of a clear federal framework is hindering America’s ability to responsibly grow its domestic seafood production in U.S. waters.
“The nation’s top environmental organizations, along with seafood leaders, chefs, and academics in the U.S., agree that sustainable fish farming is essential to our nation’s future, but federal legislation is needed to launch an American open ocean aquaculture industry,” said Drue Banta Winters, campaign manager of Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS). “Through firsthand accounts from across the seafood and agriculture supply chain, these videos highlight the benefits an expanded aquaculture sector would deliver to communities nationwide and explain why federal legislation is needed to enable the U.S. to demonstrate that we can sustainably grow more of our own seafood in our own waters.”
The series will begin with the story of Neil Anthony Sims, a marine biologist and the founder and CEO of Ocean Era, Inc., who has spent more than seven years navigating a “highly convoluted” federal permitting process for one small proposed aquaculture demonstration farm: a single net pen in open ocean waters 40 miles off Florida’s Coast. You can watch Sims’ testimonial here.
The next two videos will highlight the benefits of open ocean aquaculture for American communities and families in both inland and coastal states.
Ohio soybean farmer Jerry Bambauer, a member of the Soy Aquaculture Alliance, will explain how expanding U.S. aquaculture would benefit agricultural communities by increasing demand for American-grown crops used in sustainable fish feeds, opening new markets and economic opportunities for farmers across America’s Heartland, including producers of soybeans. You can watch Bambauer’s testimonial here.
Sean J. O’Scannlain, the CEO of Fortune Fish & Gourmet, will detail how open ocean aquaculture would complement our nation’s wild fisheries to expand seafood options for American families and increase our domestic supply of sustainable seafood. He will explain how growth of American aquaculture would benefit coastal communities by spurring investment in portside infrastructure and revitalizing working waterfronts. You can watch O’Scannlain’s testimonial here.
Each of the three videos will be rolled out on SATS’ digital platforms, including X and LinkedIn, in the coming weeks. It will be supported with a targeted paid promotion and digital advertising campaign.
The launch comes as bipartisan momentum for legislation to advance American open ocean aquaculture grows in Congress. Introduced by Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Representatives Mike Ezell (R-MS-04), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), the bipartisan Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025 (S.2586/H.R. 5746) would advance the development of commercial-scale open ocean aquaculture in U.S. federal waters. The bill, which has gained strong bipartisan momentum, has received backing from leading environmental groups, seafood leaders, chefs, and academics.
About Stronger America Through Seafood
Stronger America Through Seafood (SATS) advocates for federal policies and regulations that help secure a stronger America through increased U.S. production of healthful, sustainable, and affordable seafood. Learn more at www.strongerthroughseafood.org.