National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007

Bill: 110-hr-2010
Sponsor: Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3]
Introduced: 2007-04-24 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Agricultural research
Agriculture and Food
Aquaculture
Coastal zone
Commerce
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Commerce
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Environmental research
Environmental technology
Federal-state relations
Feeds
Fines (Penalties)
Fishery management
Fishes
Forfeiture
Government Operations and Politics
Injunctions
Law
Licenses
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Public-private partnerships
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Territorial waters

Summary:
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: 
 
National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an operating permit process for the development and operation of offshore aquaculture facilities in areas of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Requires the Secretary to prepare an analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to the process for issuing permits. Authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits.
 
Excludes offshore aquaculture from the definition of &quot;fishing&quot; under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Prohibits permits for facilities within 12 miles of a coastal state if the state opposes the activities. Authorizes the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to designate a zone around a facility in which incompatible installations, structures, or uses are prohibited.
 
Requires the Secretary of Commerce, for permits for facilities in certain areas subject to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, to obtain the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior and the consent of lessees, operators, and owners.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish and conduct an integrated, multidisciplinary, scientific research and development program to further marine aquaculture technologies that are compatible with the protection of marine ecosystems; and (2) conduct research and development in partnership with permit holders. Directs the Secretary to conduct research to reduce the use of wild fish in aquaculture feeds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-07-12
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2007-05-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2007-04-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans.
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E842-843)
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-04-24
text: Introduced in House