MARA Bill Could Open the Door to Offshore Salmon Farms: Here’s What Alaska Fishermen Need to Know
A new bill in Congress, the Marine Aquaculture Research for America (MARA) Act of 2025, is drawing attention in Washington, D.C. The proposal seeks to boost federal support for large-scale offshore fish farming in U.S. waters. For Alaska’s wild fishermen, this bill raises significant concern.
Speak Up: Say No to Offshore Finfish Farms
Contact Alaska’s congressional representatives and members of the Senate Commerce Committee. Clearly tell them: offshore net-pen farming has no place in U.S. waters, especially not in Alaska. Our state has led the way for decades by banning finfish farms, and federal policy should follow Alaska’s example.
MARA Anticipated Outcomes
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Create a NOAA Office of Aquaculture to guide and oversee offshore farming.
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Launch “demonstration projects” in the federal Exclusive Economic Zone (3–200 miles offshore) with a coordinated permitting process.
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Offer marketing and promotion grants for farmed seafood, potentially boosting competition for space on menus and in grocery stores.
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Fund new aquaculture research and workforce training programs to grow the industry.
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Require reviews under NEPA and the Coastal Zone Management Act, meaning states like Alaska would still have a say if projects affect our coastal area resources.
Why Should Fishermen Pay Attention
For decades, Alaska has maintained a ban on finfish farming in state waters. That’s a cornerstone of protecting our wild brand. But MARA focuses on federal waters, and if offshore pens are permitted in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering Sea, they could affect our fisheries, regardless of the State's stance.
Here’s what’s at stake:
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Market Competition: Federal dollars would support marketing farmed fish, while wild harvesters are left to defend their share of the market on their own. Without equal investment in “Wild Alaska” marketing, farmed products could undercut the value of our catch.
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Migration Corridors & Gear Conflicts: Offshore pens could obstruct salmon routes, hinder fishing access, or pose navigation hazards. MARA mandates further studies on navigation and safety; however, site selection decisions will be crucial.
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Disease, Parasites, and Escapes: Net-pen aquaculture poses risks of fish escaping or spreading disease into wild populations. MARA acknowledges these issues but does not establish clear national standards to prevent them.
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Waste & Forage Fish Feed: Offshore farms generate waste and often rely on feed made from wild forage fish, which raises concerns about their cumulative impact on ocean ecosystems.
The Difference Between Shellfish/Kelp Farming and Finfish Farming
Not all aquaculture is the same, and it’s worth drawing a clear line between finfish farming and other types of mariculture.
Shellfish and kelp farming, such as oysters, mussels, and seaweed, can provide food while enhancing water quality and capturing carbon. They don’t need feed inputs, antibiotics, or pesticides, and typically have a lower environmental impact. Many Alaska coastal communities already recognize the value of small-scale mariculture of this kind.
Finfish farming in open net pens, however, involves greater risks: waste pollution, disease and parasite transfer to wild fish, escapes risking genetic integrity, and dependence on forage fish for feed. These risks explain why Alaska banned finfish farming in state waters during the 1990s and why fishermen nationwide remain cautious about federal efforts to expand it offshore.
Recognizing this difference is critical. Supporting kelp and shellfish aquaculture doesn’t mean opening the door to net-pen finfish farms.
Where Alaska Stands
Alaska law still prohibits finfish farming in state waters. However, earlier this year, Governor Dunleavy suggested the possibility of amending that ban to permit closed-system farms, and more recently, voicing support for salmon farming in Alaska, indicating that the political debate continues. At the federal level, Senator Sullivan has introduced the Keep Finfish Free Act, which seeks to prevent finfish aquaculture in federal waters across the country without direct Congressional approval. This bill directly opposes MARA.
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What Fishermen and Ocean-Dependent Communities Can Do
For Alaska’s wild fleets, the message needs to be clear: offshore net-pen farming threatens our fisheries and our livelihoods. MARA opens the door to offshore salmon farms, and now is the time to stand firm in defense of wild fish and fishing families.
Speak Up: Say No to Offshore Finfish Farms
Now is the time to speak up. Contact Alaska’s congressional delegation and the Senate Commerce Committee to keep offshore farming out of U.S. waters:
Defend the Brand: Keep “Wild Alaska” Wild
Federal dollars should not be used to promote farmed fish that compete directly with our product. Demand equal or greater investment in wild seafood marketing, traceability, and labeling so that consumers know they are choosing the genuine product. Our brand and our value come from being 100% wild; once that line gets blurred, we all lose.
Draw the Line on Siting Rules
The best way to protect against offshore fish farms is to keep them completely out. Salmon migration corridors, Traditional fishing grounds, and navigation routes are not suitable for industrial aquaculture pens. Fishermen must advocate for strict bans, not just partial ones.
No Compromise on Safeguards
History has shown that escapes, disease, and waste are unavoidable with net-pen aquaculture. No amount of “best practices” can eliminate those risks. The best protection is simple: say no to finfish farming. Instead, invest in wild fisheries and low-impact mariculture, such as kelp and shellfish, that can help enhance our oceans and way of life.
Alaska’s wild salmon are a global gold standard. That reputation has been earned through strong conservation laws, sustainable management, and the hard work of fishing families. MARA threatens to blur that reputation by increasing farmed products in U.S. waters and markets. The choice is clear: wild comes first.
We Support our Ocean-Dependent Communities
AMCC is happy to provide information resources and analysis support. Take a look at our blog and FAQ to learn why finfish farming is not suitable for Alaska. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the AMCC team for support when submitting a comment.