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# Summary of H.R. 4013 — AQUAA Act The Advancing the Quality and Understanding of American Aquaculture Act (AQUAA Act) establishes a federal regulatory system for sustainable offshore fish farming in U.S. ocean waters (the exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles from the coast). The bill creates a new permitting process through the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to allow companies to operate offshore aquaculture facilities while protecting marine ecosystems and wild fish populations. The legislation requires the federal government to identify and designate "aquaculture opportunity areas" suitable for farming, develop management plans for these areas, and issue permits to qualified operators for 15 to 25-year terms. Permit holders must use sustainable practices, prevent fish escapes, source fish feed from sustainably managed fisheries, and comply with recordkeeping and inspection requirements. The bill establishes an Office of Aquaculture within NOAA to oversee implementation and coordinate with other federal agencies involved in marine resource management. The act supports industry development through research grants, workforce training, marketing assistance, and technical support to help the U.S. expand domestic seafood production and reduce its seafood trade deficit. The bill includes $60 million to $80 million in annual funding authorizations from 2024 to 2028 and establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations, including fines up to $37,500 for administrative violations and up to five years imprisonment for criminal violations. The legislation requires coordination with coastal states, Native American tribes, and fishery councils throughout the permitting process.

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