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HR 4363 111th Congress House

National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009

Official title: To establish a regulatory system and research program for sustainable offshore aquaculture in the United States exclusive economic zone, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 14, 2010 See on congress.gov
Public Lands and Natural Resources Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdvisory bodiesAgricultural researchAquaculture
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Aquatic ecologyCivil actions and liabilityCrimes against animals and natural resourcesDepartment of CommerceEndangered and threatened speciesEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, researchExecutive agency funding and structureFishesGeneticsGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesIntergovernmental relationsInternational organizations and cooperationLicensing and registrationsMarine and coastal resources, fisheriesMarine pollutionPollution liabilityResearch administration and fundingState and local government operationsUnited NationsUser charges and feesVeterinary medicine and animal diseasesWildlife conservation and habitat protection
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 4, 2010
Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.
Dec 16, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Dec 16, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Latest action January 4, 2010

Referred to the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Office of Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture in the National Marine Fisheries Service at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) headquarters and at satellite offices in each of NOAA's regional fisheries offices.

Requires the Office to establish a Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Advisory Board. Directs the Secretary to: (1) establish and maintain in the Office an aquaculture database; and (2) make the database available to the public but protect proprietary information of owners and operators of offshore aquaculture facilities.

Requires, for permit issuance, a regional programmatic environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for each Regional Fishery Management Council and a separate environmental review under NEPA.

Prohibits engaging in offshore aquaculture without a permit under this Act and authorizes the Secretary to issue such permits.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) assess application and annual fees with respect to such permits that are sufficient to pay the costs of issuing, monitoring, and enforcing such permits; and (2) assess resource rental fees to recover from permittees a reasonable portion of the value of the use under the permits of ocean resources held in public trust.

Directs the Secretary to establish and conduct a research program to guide the sustainable development of offshore aquaculture, including regarding: (1) industry expansion that ensures ecological sustainability and functional ecosystems and fisheries; and (2) cost-effective solutions to environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Requires a related competitive, peer-reviewed grant program.

Prohibits permit issuance: (1) for a species having a fishery management plan under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act) or in a Regional Fishery Management Council's jurisdiction unless all relevant Councils recommend approval; or (2) if opposed by the nearest coastal state.

Regulates the relationship of this Act to the Magnuson Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act.

Regulates the assessment and liability for natural resource damages associated with offshore aquaculture.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 3
All 3 Democratic 2
D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Sep 14, 2010
Hall, John
· Sep 14, 2010
 D
Hirono, Mazie K.
Hawaii · Sep 14, 2010
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4363: National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-4363/
MLA
"H.R. 4363: National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-4363/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4363, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-4363/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4363: National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-4363/)
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