# Understanding the Coastal Seaweed Farm Act of 2023

This bill is about getting the federal government to study and support seaweed farming along America's coasts. Right now, seaweed farming is pretty rare in the U.S., but the bill's sponsors believe it could become an important industry with real environmental and economic benefits. The law asks the Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to figure out how to do this safely and effectively, then create rules to govern it.

The first major piece is a comprehensive study that must be completed within two years. Government agencies will investigate how seaweed farming affects ocean ecosystems, marine animals, and fishing communities. They'll look at best practices for growing seaweed sustainably, how to prevent escaped seaweed from damaging natural ecosystems, and ways to reduce plastic use in farming equipment. The study will also explore whether seaweed farming could help fight climate change through carbon storage, how it might work alongside shellfish farming, and what markets exist for seaweed products—from animal feed to industrial applications. Importantly, the government will consult with Native American tribes and Indigenous groups about their traditional seaweed farming knowledge and how this industry could affect their waters and communities.

After the study is done, the government will create regulations to make sure seaweed farms are designed and operated in ways that protect marine life and fishing industries. These rules will require farms to monitor and report any problems, like whether seaweed farm equipment entangles whales or other marine animals, or whether it interferes with commercial or recreational fishing. The bill also establishes a special fund—with $20 million per year available—specifically to provide grants to Indigenous tribes and Native communities to start and operate seaweed farms. This funding can cover everything from buying equipment to processing and storing the harvested seaweed. The government will also provide training and technical assistance to help these communities succeed.

For most Americans, this bill won't have an immediate impact on daily life, but it could matter if you live in a coastal community, work in fishing or marine industries, or care about ocean health and climate change. The bill is designed to create a new agricultural industry that could provide jobs and income for coastal and Indigenous communities while potentially offering environmental benefits like improved water quality and carbon sequestration. However, the regulations that follow the study will be crucial in determining whether seaweed farming actually delivers these benefits or creates new problems for fishing and marine ecosystems.

Coastal Seaweed Farm Act of 2023

Huffman, Jared

Coastal Seaweed Farm Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to (1) establish the Indigenous Seaweed Farming Fund, (2) prepare a joint study of coastal seaweed farming, and (3) issue regulations addressing seaweed farming. The Indigenous Seaweed Farming Fund must provide grants to tribes, Native villages, tribal reservations, and specified Native people to support coastal seaweed farming, including for creating and maintaining coastal seaweed farms, purchasing equipment, and identifying and mitigating adverse impacts. The joint study must analyze best practices for coastal seaweed farming that maximize potential benefits and avoid adverse effects on the surrounding environment. Within one year of the publication of the joint study, USDA and NOAA must issue regulations that <ul> <li>ensure that systems of coastal seaweed farming maximize potential benefits and avoid potential adverse effects on the marine ecosystem, wildlife, fisheries, and surrounding communities;</li> <li> establish evaluation metrics to measure the impact and benefits of coastal seaweed farming on the marine ecosystem and surrounding communities; and </li> <li>establish related monitoring and reporting requirements. </li> </ul> The bill also requires the Food and Drug Administration to report to Congress on recommendations for improving the regulation of seaweed for human consumption. The recommendations must focus on standards and testing methods to identify, address, and prevent contamination by bacteria, heavy metals, and pathogens.