PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jul 28, 1994
Marine Aquaculture Enhancement Act of 1994 - Amends the National Sea Grant College Program Act to include a marine aquaculture research, development, and technology transfer program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants, enter into contracts, and engage in specified other activities under such program to further research, development, education, and technology transfer in marine aquaculture and accelerate the development, growth, and commercialization of the domestic marine aquaculture industry. Specifies that the Program shall include research, development, technology transfer, education, and marine advisory programs that address specified issues, such as the application of marine biotechnology to aquaculture. Directs the Secretary to maintain within the Marine Advisory Service the capability to transfer relevant technologies and information to such industry. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) administration; and (2) grants and contracts, including funding. Requires the Director to estalish advisory committees and review panels and provide them with copies of appropriate grant and contract application evaluations prepared by directors of sea grant colleges. Authorizes appropriations. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to include among authorized objectives of: (1) coastal resource improvement grants, the development of a coordinated process among State agencies to regulate and issue permits for aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone; and (2) coastal zone enhancement grants, the adoption of procedures and policies to evaluate and facilitate the siting of public and private aquaculture facilities in the coastal zone which will enable States to formulate, administer, and implement strategic plans for marine aquaculture. Prohibits owning, contructing, or operating an offshore marine aquaculture facility except as authorized by permit. Authorizes the Secretary to issue, amend, renew, or transfer permits. Sets the term of a permit at ten years. Sets forth provisions regarding permit prerequisites, public and agency notice and comment, certification of compliance, permit revocation, surrender, renewal, and transfer, fees, civil penalties, and related issues. Directs the Secretary to establish minimum environmental standards for offshore marine aquaculture facilities designed to minimize the potential for inadvertent impacts on the marine environment, including specified safeguards. Establishes within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a marine aquaculture development program, the Nantucket Program, to expand coastal economic opportunities. Directs the Secretary to provide grants under such Program to eligible coastal communities to develop marine aquaculture training and support activities. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to establish in southern New Jersey a Multispecies Aquaculture Center. Authorizes appropriations.
People & committees
Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10] · D–MA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oceanography, Gulf of Mexico, and the Outer Continental Shelf.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries Management.
Referred to the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1598-1599)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 26, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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