I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 9477 
To authorize studies and pilot programs related to the development and 
production of aquaculture in the exclusive economic zone of the United 
States, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 8, 2022 
Mr. LOWENTHAL (for himself, Ms. MACE, Ms. PINGREE, and Ms. BROWNLEY) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Education and 
Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in 
each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdic-
tion of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To authorize studies and pilot programs related to the devel-
opment and production of aquaculture in the exclusive 
economic zone of the United States, and for other pur-
poses. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Science-based Equi-
table Aquaculture Food Act’’ or the ‘‘SEAfood Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADJACENT
COASTAL
JURISDICTION.—The 
term ‘‘adjacent coastal jurisdiction’’ means with re-
spect to any activity proposed, conducted, or ap-
proved by the Administrator under section 5(a), any 
coastal State land— 
(A) that is used, or is scheduled to be 
used, as a support base for such activity; or 
(B) in which there is a reasonable prob-
ability of significant effect on land or water 
uses from such activity. 
(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the National 
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(3) 
APPROPRIATE
COMMITTEES
OF
CON-
GRESS.—The term ‘‘appropriate committees of Con-
gress’’ means the Committees on— 
(A) Natural Resources of the House of 
Representatives; 
(B) Agriculture of the House of Represent-
atives; 
(C) Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives; 
(D) Commerce, Science, and Transpor-
tation of the Senate; 
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(E) Environment and Public Works of the 
Senate; and 
(F) Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of 
the Senate. 
(4) ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
COMMUNITY.— 
The term ‘‘environmental justice community’’ means 
a community with significant representation of any 
of the following: 
(A) Individuals who reside in a census 
block group in which 30-percent or more of the 
population are individuals with an annual 
household income that does not exceed the 
greater of— 
(i) an amount equal to 80-percent of 
the median income of the area in which the 
household is located, as reported by the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Develop-
ment; or 
(ii) 200-percent of the Federal poverty 
line. 
(B) Individuals who reside in a geographi-
cally distinct area in which the population of 
any of the following categories of individuals is 
higher than the average population of that cat-
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egory for the State in which the community is 
located: 
(i) Black. 
(ii) African American. 
(iii) Asian. 
(iv) Pacific Islander. 
(v) Other non-White race. 
(vi) Hispanic. 
(vii) Latino. 
(viii) Linguistically isolated. 
(C) Tribal or Indigenous communities. 
(5) ESCAPE.—The term ‘‘escape’’ means the es-
cape of juvenile- or adult-farmed organisms, viable 
gametes, or fertilized eggs spawned by farmed orga-
nisms from aquaculture facilities. 
(6) EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC
ZONE.—The term 
‘‘exclusive economic zone’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 3(11) of the Magnuson Stevens 
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 
U.S.C. 1802(11)). 
(7) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
has the meaning given such term in section 4 of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance 
Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). 
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(8) OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE.—The term ‘‘off-
shore aquaculture’’ means aquaculture conducted in 
the exclusive economic zone. 
(9) PILOT PROJECT.—The term ‘‘pilot project’’ 
means an aquaculture project approved under sec-
tion 5. 
(10) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, each 
commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States, and each Indian Tribe. 
(11) TRIBAL
OR
INDIGENOUS
COMMUNITY.— 
The term ‘‘Tribal or Indigenous community’’ means 
a population of people who are— 
(A) enrolled members of an Indian Tribe; 
(B) members of an Alaska Native or Na-
tive Hawaiian community or organization; or 
(C) members of any other community of 
Indigenous people located in a State. 
(12) UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘underserved 
communities’’ means women and individuals be-
longing to communities that have been denied 
consistent and systematic fair, just, and impar-
tial treatment and have been systematically de-
nied a full opportunity to participate in all as-
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pects of economic, social, and civic life, includ-
ing Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native 
American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders and other persons of color. 
(B) INCLUSION.—In the context of the 
aquaculture industry, the term ‘‘underserved 
communities’’, within fishing communities, may 
include— 
(i) subsistence fishery participants 
and their dependents; 
(ii) fishing vessel crews, and fish proc-
essor and distribution workers; and 
(iii) territorial fishing communities 
(including those in American Samoa, 
Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern 
Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the 
United States Virgin Islands). 
(13) VETERAN.—The term ‘‘veteran’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
SEC. 3. GAO STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller 
General shall submit a report to the appropriate commit-
tees of Congress examining aquaculture permitting, moni-
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toring, and regulation during the 15-year period ending 
on the date of enactment of this section based on the avail-
able literature, case studies, and stakeholder input. 
(b) CONTENTS
OF STUDY.—The study required 
under subsection (a) shall— 
(1) consider the feasibility and potential posi-
tive and negative implications of designating a lead 
agency to issue aquaculture permits in a timely 
manner; 
(2) identify lessons learned during such period 
with respect to— 
(A) the implications of aquaculture type, 
location, and regulatory framework on project 
success; 
(B) the degree of involvement of coastal or 
adjacent States, Tribal groups, underserved 
communities, or environmental justice commu-
nities in consultation, planning, or operations of 
such aquaculture operations; 
(C) safety protocols and risk mitigation 
measures for the permit and oversight proc-
esses, including— 
(i) escape prevention measures; 
(ii) emergency event response plan-
ning; 
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(iii) compliance monitoring, particu-
larly in remote locations; 
(iv) compliance with Federal laws; 
(v) reporting mechanisms to appro-
priate Federal authorities, and 
(vi) vessel navigation aids to ensure 
navigational safety; 
(D) the effect of incentives to reduce ad-
verse effects or disparate impacts from aqua-
culture operations; 
(E) building and optimizing synergies be-
tween aquaculture and wild-caught fishing ac-
tivities, or offshore, nearshore, and onshore 
aquaculture activities, including market devel-
opment, increasing seafood consumption, and 
shared infrastructure; 
(F) the environmental effects of marine 
aquaculture operations, including mechanisms 
to prevent harm to the environment, wildlife, or 
human well-being; 
(G) net economic and social benefits of the 
aquaculture projects, particularly for nearby 
communities (including underserved and envi-
ronmental justice communities), based on 
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project size, regulatory structures, and financ-
ing structures; 
(H) the impact of introducing aquaculture 
products to the marketplace on supply and de-
mand for wild-capture fisheries products and 
methods for ensuring resiliency and growth for 
both aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries 
products; 
(I) mechanisms to enhance capital invest-
ment, workforce development, and equitable op-
portunity requirements or assistance programs 
in the permit process, or to diversify permit ap-
plicants; 
(J) outstanding needs for continued re-
search, development, education activities, pro-
grams, and funding regarding offshore aqua-
culture projects and development of the domes-
tic workforce and entrepreneurship related to 
offshore aquaculture; and 
(K) the economic potential for both large- 
and small-scale aquaculture operations to gen-
erate a positive return on investment under var-
ious regulatory and financing structures; and 
(3) make recommendations with respect to fu-
ture offshore aquaculture operations, including— 
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(A) regulatory processes necessary for per-
mitting, monitoring, and oversight, including 
processes and techniques related to siting, de-
ployment, operations, and decommissioning; 
(B) potential safeguards, data collection, 
or monitoring required to minimize disparate 
impacts on environmental justice communities, 
local economies, marine environments, and ex-
isting domestic economic sectors; 
(C) mechanisms for optimizing the effi-
ciency and coordination among Federal agencies 
with a role in permitting aquaculture in off-
shore waters without compromising the goals of 
such permitting; 
(D) methods for effectively involving stake-
holders, including— 
(i) adjacent jurisdictions; 
(ii) local communities; 
(iii) regional offshore waters users 
and management groups (including re-
gional fishery management councils); and 
(iv) users of local, State, and Federal 
waters and coastal resources, including un-
derserved communities, and environmental 
justice communities; 
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(E) best practices for incorporating local 
knowledge, including from Tribal or Indigenous 
communities; 
(F) Federal agency capabilities that are 
necessary for effective regulation of the sector; 
and 
(G) how creating private rights of action or 
waiving sovereign immunity would facilitate or 
hinder the development of offshore aquaculture 
projects and their acceptance by nearshore and 
offshore waters user groups and coastal com-
munities. 
SEC. 4. STUDY OF AQUACULTURE PERMITTING STAND-
ARDS. 
(a) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 30 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Ocean Studies 
Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineer-
ing, and Medicine shall complete a study to develop the 
scientific basis for efficient and effective regulation of off-
shore aquaculture. 
(b) CONSIDERATIONS.—The study required by sub-
section (a) shall, with respect to offshore aquaculture— 
(1) identify— 
(A) optimal methods of operation of aqua-
culture facilities to promote high yields and 
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limit adverse effects on the environment, wild-
life, and human well-being, including— 
(i) considerations to guide siting deci-
sions of such facilities; and 
(ii) appropriate stocking densities; 
(B) a science-based definition of sustain-
able aquaculture feed or other inputs; 
(C) potential adverse effects on the envi-
ronment, wildlife, and human well-being, includ-
ing from— 
(i) the use of antibiotics and other 
pharmaceuticals by aquaculture facilities, 
including analyses necessary to establish 
acceptable rates, impact levels, and risk 
thresholds, such as organism antibiotic 
consumption or metabolization versus ex-
cretion to the surrounding environment; 
(ii) assimilation of pollution origi-
nating from such facilities on marine orga-
nisms; 
(iii) the risk posed by misplaced or 
damaged equipment; 
(iv) the risk of wildlife entanglements; 
(v) interbreeding or the spread of dis-
ease; 
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(vi) the source and sustainability of 
brood stock for offshore aquaculture oper-
ations and impacts of hatcheries and 
prestocking rearing operations that are 
specific to offshore aquaculture; 
(vii) large-scale cultivation of filter- 
feed bivalve organisms and seaweed on the 
marine food webs; 
(viii) aquaculture facilities acting as 
aggregating devices and increasing the vul-
nerability of wild fisheries and wildlife pop-
ulations to fishing or other sources of mor-
tality; and 
(ix) the use of nonsustainable sources 
of feed or other inputs; 
(D) potential methods and technologies to 
mitigate adverse effects, including those identi-
fied under subparagraph (C); 
(E) potential conflicts and solutions to 
mitigate such conflicts between offshore aqua-
culture facilities and other users of the offshore 
environment; 
(F) the types of data and qualitative infor-
mation necessary for the optimal operation of 
such facilities and appropriate methods of pro-
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curing such data information, including from 
citizen science (as defined in section 402 of the 
Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science Act (15 
U.S.C. 3724) and the traditional aquaculture 
knowledge of Tribal and Indigenous commu-
nities; 
(G) the applicability and sufficiency of ex-
isting regulatory systems on offshore aqua-
culture; 
(H) existing local, State, Federal, and for-
eign regulatory standards that may serve as 
models for efficient and effective regulation of 
offshore aquaculture; and 
(I) the considerations necessary to account 
for the effects of climate change predictive as-
sessments on the siting and operation of off-
shore aquaculture facilities; and 
(2) provide legislative and regulatory rec-
ommendations with respect to— 
(A) promoting the methods of operation 
identified under paragraph (1)(A); 
(B) mitigating adverse effects identified 
under paragraph (2)(B); 
(C) environmental standards, control rules, 
or reference points that build upon the existing 
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public and private standards for aquaculture 
sustainability; and 
(D) ensuring that operators of offshore 
aquaculture facilities adhere to international 
standards 
for 
social 
responsibility, 
public 
health, and equitable labor practices, including 
with respect to sourcing inputs for such facili-
ties. 
SEC. 5. ASSESSMENT PROGRAM FOR OFFSHORE AQUA-
CULTURE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall 
establish an assessment program to evaluate the following 
with respect to offshore aquaculture: 
(1) The ability of different commercial-scale fa-
cility designs and operational methods to— 
(A) survive various atmospheric and ocean 
conditions, including high wind speeds or high- 
energy ocean conditions associated with severe 
weather, without— 
(i) allowing escapes of cultivated orga-
nisms; 
(ii) loss of infrastructure; or 
(iii) wildlife entanglement resulting 
from loss or damaged infrastructure; 
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(B) prevent adverse wildlife impacts, in-
cluding entanglements of large whales, sea tur-
tles, and other species protected under the En-
dangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); 
(C) prevent adverse impacts on the marine 
environment, including impacts to habitat, 
water chemistry, and wildlife; and 
(D) avoid adverse impacts on navigation 
and safety to existing ocean users due to aqua-
culture facilities, including requirements for op-
erations, navigation, and transit associated with 
such facilities. 
(2) The ability for different technologies to pro-
vide reliable and timely data on offshore aquaculture 
facilities (including visual data and other relevant 
data types) to enable the Administrator to mon-
itor— 
(A) project compliance with the require-
ments of subsection (b); 
(B) impacts on the marine environment; 
and 
(C) interference with existing uses of the 
water body in which the project is located. 
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(3) The relative risks, benefits, and cost of var-
ious types of aquaculture, including different species 
of finfish in different geographies and under varying 
climactic and ecological conditions. 
(4) The development of performance standards 
for offshore aquaculture operations. 
(b) PILOT PROJECT SELECTION.— 
(1) SOLICITATION.—The Administrator shall 
solicit and accept applications for participation in 
the assessment program from projects that would 
advance the objectives of subsection (a), including— 
(A) objective analyses of data from com-
mercial-scale and other demonstration projects 
existing or carried out in offshore waters of the 
United States or other countries within the past 
15 years; or 
(B) pilot projects proposed to be operated 
in the exclusive economic zone. 
(2) PUBLICATION.—The Administrator shall 
publish in the Federal Register a notice summa-
rizing each application received under this section 
and invite and consider public comments regarding 
the pilot projects proposed under those applications 
for their inclusion in the assessment program. 
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(3) DESIGNATION OF ADJACENT COASTAL JU-
RISDICTIONS.—The Administrator shall promulgate 
a mechanism for identifying and designating, with 
respect to each pilot project application received 
under paragraph (1), the nearest adjacent coastal 
jurisdiction or jurisdictions. 
(4) NOTICE.—The Administrator shall provide 
a copy of each pilot project application to each adja-
cent coastal jurisdiction designated under paragraph 
(3). 
(5) DENIAL AT THE REQUEST OF ADJACENT 
COASTAL JURISDICTION.—If, in the 60-day period 
after receiving notice of a pilot project application 
under paragraph (4), an adjacent coastal jurisdiction 
requests that the Secretary rejects such application, 
the Secretary shall reject such application. 
(6) PILOT PROJECT APPROVAL.—Not later than 
1 year after the date of the enactment of this sec-
tion, the Administrator shall approve not less than 
1 and not more than 4 applications for aquaculture 
pilot projects that— 
(A) cultivate species that pose minimal 
threat of harm to wildlife and the ecosystem in 
which the project is located; 
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(B) incorporate design and operational 
characteristics that minimize the risk of escape, 
wildlife entanglement, and adverse pollution im-
pacts; 
(C) have developed and are able to imple-
ment an escape response and infrastructure loss 
or damage plan that minimizes the impact of 
any escapes or infrastructure loss or damage on 
the marine environment and on other uses of 
the water body in which the project is located; 
(D) comply with all applicable require-
ments of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1851 
et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 
seq.), and the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); 
(E) are compatible with, and prevent or 
minimize displacement of, existing uses and 
users of the marine environment in which it is 
located; 
(F) will conform to best practices to avoid 
or minimize the use of antibiotics and other 
pharmaceuticals and minimize the release of 
such pharmaceuticals into the environment; and 
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(G) will be conducted over a period of 5 
years. 
(7) AQUACULTURE OPPORTUNITY AREA.—The 
Administrator may elect to site a project approved 
under this section in an Aquaculture Opportunity 
Area. 
(8) PERMIT.—The Administrator shall issue the 
appropriate permits to allow each pilot project ap-
proved under paragraph (6) to conduct offshore 
aquaculture activities in the exclusive economic zone 
in accordance with this Act. 
(c) PRIORITY CONSIDERATION.—In considering pilot 
project applications, the Administrator shall give priority 
consideration to pilot projects owned or operated by— 
(1) veterans, or entities in which a veteran or 
veterans have a majority ownership interest; 
(2) members of an environmental justice com-
munity or underserved community, or entities in 
which a member or members of an environmental 
justice community or underserved community have a 
majority ownership interest; 
(3) entities that primarily serve or employ 
members of an environmental justice community or 
underserved community; or 
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(4) applicants who can demonstrate that the 
pilot project will directly benefit individuals who are 
already participating in the agricultural, wild-caught 
fishery, and aquaculture industries who have been 
negatively impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic, 
natural disasters, or disaster declarations. 
(d) INTERIM FINAL RULE.—The Administrator may 
make an interim final rule to implement the requirements 
under this section. 
(e) ASSESSMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANT REPORT-
ING.— 
(1) DATA AND MONITORING.—The owner or op-
erator of each commercial-scale demonstration 
project or pilot project approved for inclusion in the 
assessment program under this section shall submit 
such documentation, in such time, place, and man-
ner as the Administrator determines appropriate, in-
cluding— 
(A) production data; 
(B) interactions with wild species, mitiga-
tion measures taken, and the result; 
(C) technology and operational practices 
used to measure and monitor effluent, integrity 
of cage materials and other gear, and health of 
the cultivated species; 
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(D) environmental and ecosystem impacts; 
(E) data necessary to assess the consider-
ations described in section 4(b); 
(F) information necessary for the Sec-
retary to make a revocation or modification de-
termination under subsection (f); 
(G) owner, operator, and employee demo-
graphic data and other relevant data as deter-
mined by the Administrator for purposes of as-
sessing the pilot project’s direct benefits to en-
vironmental justice communities and the eco-
nomic and social benefits for nearby coastal 
communities; 
(H) navigation and safety impacts to exist-
ing ocean users; and 
(I) such additional information as the Ad-
ministrator requires to fulfill the goals and ob-
jectives of the assessment program. 
(2) TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE.—The Adminis-
trator shall, upon request, provide technical assist-
ance to owners and operators of commercial-scale 
demonstration projects and pilot projects to comply 
with the reporting requirements of this section. 
(3) EMERGENCY
REPORTING.—The Adminis-
trator shall establish an emergency reporting process 
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for each owner or operator of an aquaculture pilot 
project approved under this section to immediately 
report suspected or known interactions between pilot 
project facilities or vessels and protected wild spe-
cies. 
(f) AUTHORITY TO REVOKE
OR MODIFY PILOT 
PROJECT PARTICIPATION.—The Administrator may re-
quire modifications to, or terminate pilot project participa-
tion under this section, and order the removal of an off-
shore aquaculture facility authorized to operate under this 
section if— 
(1) the project incurs an incident involving a 
death or serious personal injury, and the Adminis-
trator determines that project operator negligence 
was the cause or a contributing factor to such inci-
dent; 
(2) operation of the project results in a viola-
tion of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) or the Marine Mammal Protec-
tion Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.); 
(3) the pilot project owner or operator fails to 
comply with all of the terms and conditions of the 
pilot program approval or modifications required by 
the Administrator under this subsection; or 
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(4) the Administrator determines that contin-
ued participation in the pilot program by the project 
would be unsafe or result in unacceptable negative 
impacts to the marine environment or nearby com-
munities, or other users of the water body in which 
the project is located. 
(g) REPORTS.— 
(1) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act and annually 
thereafter for the duration of the assessment pro-
gram, the Administrator shall publish, make avail-
able to the public, and submit to aquaculture stake-
holders (including each adjacent coastal jurisdiction 
and each affected Tribal or Indigenous community, 
regional fishery management council, interstate fish-
eries commission, conservation organization, and 
fisheries association) a report that includes the fol-
lowing information: 
(A) A description of each approved pilot 
project. 
(B) In the first report, documentation sup-
porting selection of each approved pilot project. 
(C) A summary of the information re-
ported to the Administrator under subsection 
(e) for each approved pilot project. 
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(D) a description of the progress made to-
ward meeting the goals described in subsection 
(a). 
(2) FINAL
REPORT.—Not later than 1 year 
after the date of the completion of the assessment 
program, the Administrator shall submit to the ap-
propriate committees of Congress a report describing 
the results of the pilot program that includes the fol-
lowing information: 
(A) An evaluation based on data from the 
assessment program of the opportunities and 
risks of offshore aquaculture regarding— 
(i) marine ecosystems; 
(ii) other users of the exclusive eco-
nomic zone; 
(iii) other ecosystems goods and serv-
ices; 
(iv) social and economic impacts to 
nearby communities, including cumulative 
impacts and impacts on environmental jus-
tice communities, low-income communities, 
and communities of color; 
(v) best practices to mitigate risks; 
and 
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(vi) best practices to prevent disparate 
impacts. 
(B) Any recommendations of the Adminis-
trator for amendments to statutes or regula-
tions and the establishment of performance 
standards for offshore aquaculture siting and 
operations, that— 
(i) would minimize risks posed by 
aquaculture operations to marine eco-
systems; 
(ii) would enhance the safe operation 
of aquaculture facilities, service vessels, 
and associated activities; 
(iii) prevent displacement of existing 
uses and users; and 
(iv) are technically, operationally, and 
economically feasible. 
SEC. 6. AQUACULTURE CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE. 
(a) MINORITY AQUACULTURE RESEARCH AND EN-
TREPRENEURSHIP GRANTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this section, the Admin-
istrator shall establish the ‘‘Aquaculture Centers of 
Excellence’’ program to award grants to covered in-
stitutions to assist in establishing or enhancing an 
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aquaculture curriculum for undergraduate or grad-
uate courses of study at such covered institutions. 
(2) APPLICATIONS.—To be eligible for a grant 
under this section, a covered institution shall submit 
to the Administrator an application in such form, at 
such time, and containing such information as the 
Administrator determines appropriate, including any 
plans to partner with other institutions of higher 
education pursuant to paragraph (4). 
(3) GRANT USES.—A covered institution receiv-
ing a grant under this section— 
(A) shall use such grant funds to establish 
or enhance an aquaculture curriculum for un-
dergraduate or graduate studies that includes— 
(i) training in various skill sets needed 
by successful aquaculture entrepreneurs, 
including— 
(I) business management, stra-
tegic planning, business plan develop-
ment, capital financing and fund-
raising, financial management and ac-
counting, market analysis and com-
petitive analysis, and market entry 
and strategy execution; and 
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(II) any other skill sets specific 
to the needs of the student population 
and the surrounding community, in-
cluding social and environmental sus-
tainability, as determined by the insti-
tution; 
(ii) natural and social science research 
programs in aquaculture and natural fish-
eries, including offshore aquaculture; 
(iii) development of extension pro-
grams (or cooperation with existing exten-
sion programs) that educate and engage 
community members, including elementary 
and secondary school students, on aqua-
culture and aquaculture career pathways 
that transfer newly developed techniques 
and research information developed or col-
lated at the covered institution to aqua-
culture practitioners; and 
(iv) career development, such as the 
establishment of cooperatives, apprentice-
ships, mentorships, accelerators, or grant 
competitions; and 
(B) may only use such grant funds for ex-
penses directly related to the implementation of 
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the curriculum or activities authorized by this 
section. 
(4) PARTNERSHIPS.—In applying for and car-
rying out activities with grants under this section, a 
covered institution may partner with other institu-
tions of higher education with established aqua-
culture programs, including institutions of higher 
education not otherwise eligible for grants under this 
section, to facilitate the sharing of resources and 
knowledge necessary for aquaculture curriculum de-
velopment or enhancement at the covered institution. 
(5) GRANT
LIMITATIONS.—A grant awarded 
under this section may only be used for expenses di-
rectly related to the implementation of the cur-
riculum or activities authorized by this section. 
(6) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this section $25,000,000 to remain available until 
expended, for each of fiscal years 2023 through 
2027. 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) COVERED
INSTITUTION.—The term ‘‘cov-
ered institution’’ means— 
(A) a minority-serving institution; 
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(B) a historically Black college or univer-
sity; or 
(C) a Tribal College or University. 
(2) HISTORICALLY
BLACK
COLLEGE
OR
UNI-
VERSITY.—The term ‘‘historically Black college or 
university’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B 
institution’’ in section 322 of the Higher Education 
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). 
(3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given such term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
(4) 
MINORITY-SERVING
INSTITUTION.—The 
term ‘‘minority-serving institution’’ means an eligi-
ble institution described in paragraphs (2), (4), (5), 
(6), and (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)). 
(5) TRIBAL
COLLEGE
OR
UNIVERSITY.—The 
term ‘‘Tribal College or University’’ means and in-
stitution described in section 316(b)(3) of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c(b)) that 
is chartered under the sovereign authority of its re-
spective Tribal Nation or by the Federal Govern-
ment. 
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SEC. 7. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Any requirement in this Act to identify or consider 
an impact or effect on human health, the environment, 
or the climate shall include a requirement to make such 
identification or consideration while taking into account— 
(1) the cumulative impact of such impact or ef-
fect in the context of all sources of emissions, dis-
charges, or releases from any source, past, present, 
or in the reasonably foreseeable future, on the af-
fected environment and population; 
(2) any characteristics of such environment and 
population that may heighten vulnerability to envi-
ronmental pollution and related health risks; and 
(3) any action or practice that, even if appear-
ing neutral, has the effect of subjecting individuals 
to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or na-
tional origin. 
Æ 
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