culture shall prepare and submit a report containing the 
recommendations described in subsection (c) to the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the 
House of Representatives. 
SEC. 303. MARINE USE RIGHTS. 
The permit established under section 202 shall be 
considered a marine use right, offering security of tenure 
for purpose of obtaining investment, transferring permit 
to other authorized users, and allowing for operations. 
TITLE IV—ADMINISTRATIVE 
PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE. 
(a) OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE.—The Secretary shall 
establish and provide resources for— 
(1) an Office of Aquaculture within the Na-
tional Marine Fisheries Service at the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration headquarters 
to implement this title; and 
(2) an Office of Aquaculture presence in each 
of the regional fisheries offices of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration, which pres-
ence shall, at a minimum, be sufficient to fulfill the 
duties under subsection (b), but may be increased to 
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the extent warranted by the activity and interest of 
aquaculture stakeholders in the region. 
(b) OFFICE OF AQUACULTURE DUTIES.—The Office 
of Aquaculture shall— 
(1) ensure the implementation of this Act; 
(2) coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, 
and international issues related to aquaculture with-
in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration; 
(3) collaborate with and leverage existing ef-
forts by the National Sea Grant College program 
to— 
(A) conduct aquaculture outreach, edu-
cation, extension services, and training efforts; 
and 
(B) engage with aquaculture stakeholders 
and, from time to time, convene conferences for 
aquaculture stakeholders to exchange informa-
tion and ideas; and 
(4) maintain aquaculture capacity in each of 
the regional fisheries offices of the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, including at least 
one Regional Aquaculture Coordinator in each such 
office. 
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(c) AQUACULTURE RESEARCH PROGRAM AND DU-
TIES.—In addition to the resources required under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall establish and provide addi-
tional resources for an aquaculture research program that 
draws upon the scientific capacity of National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration programs such as the Fish-
eries Science Centers, Sea Grant, and the National Cen-
ters for Coastal and Ocean Science to support the Office 
of Aquaculture’s efforts to implement this title. Specifi-
cally, the program shall— 
(1) ensure that offshore aquaculture operations 
permitted under this title are scientifically monitored 
to support the implementation of this Act, evaluate 
data, and conduct additional research to support the 
development of sustainable offshore aquaculture in 
accordance with this title; and 
(2) administer the research and development 
grant program under section 203. 
(d) AQUACULTURE SUBCOMMITTEE.—The Marine 
Fisheries Advisory Committee shall designate the Aqua-
culture Subcommittee as a permanent, standing sub-
committee to serve as an external board to advise the Sec-
retary on offshore aquaculture. The Aquaculture Sub-
committee shall coordinate with the National Sea Grant 
Advisory Board, as appropriate. 
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(e) BUDGET PRESENTATION.—The National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration shall transmit its budget 
request for the Office of Aquaculture as a separate line 
with the National Marine Fisheries Service. 
SEC. 402. SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall support the 
development of sustainable marine aquaculture, consistent 
with this Act and other applicable Federal law. 
(b) MARKETING
AND PROMOTION GRANTS.—The 
Secretary shall, in consultation with industry, establish 
and administer a grant program to support the sale and 
public perception of cultured species domestically and 
internationally. 
(c) WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary 
shall, in consultation with industry, academic institutions, 
and the National Sea Grant College Program, develop and 
manage a grant program to support the education and 
training of individuals with the skills needed to manage 
and operate aquaculture facilities. 
(d) REGIONAL NETWORKS.—The Secretary shall or-
ganize through each regional fisheries office of the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration a network 
of— 
(1) regional experts and Federal agency con-
tacts, in coordination with relevant organizations 
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(including the National Sea Grant College Program 
under the National Sea Grant College Program Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.), the Department of Agri-
culture Regional Aquaculture Centers, institutions of 
higher education, and the Cooperative Extension 
System of the Department of Agriculture) to provide 
technical expertise and extension services on offshore 
aquaculture and information on Federal permit re-
quirements; and 
(2) individuals and businesses interested in 
aquaculture operations and products to facilitate 
professional development, marketing, mentoring op-
portunities, and agency outreach and education on 
aquaculture. 
(e) AQUACULTURE DATABASE.—The Secretary shall 
establish and maintain within the Office of Aquaculture 
an aquaculture database. The aquaculture database shall 
include information on research, technologies, monitoring 
techniques, best practices, and advisory board rec-
ommendations. The Secretary shall make the aquaculture 
database available in a manner that safeguards confiden-
tial business information. The inclusion of information in 
the database under this subsection shall not be considered 
to be publication for purposes of subsection (a) or (b) of 
section 102 of title 35, United States Code. 
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