Sec. 4. Office of Marine Aquaculture
326 words·~1 min read·
/bill/115/s/3138/is/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary shall establish and provide resources to an Office of Marine Aquaculture within the National Marine Fisheries Service at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration headquarters, including presence in each of the regional fisheries offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Office of Marine Aquaculture shall— coordinate regulatory, scientific, outreach, and international issues related to aquaculture within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; coordinate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s aquaculture activities, in collaboration with the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the National Ocean Service; support existing aquaculture outreach, education, extension services, and training efforts, such as those from the National Sea Grant College Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Aquaculture Coordinators; provide opportunities for engagement with owners and operators of offshore aquaculture facilities, fishery management councils, conservation organizations, fisheries associations, State governments, and other interested stakeholders; administer the research and development grant program under section 11; organize through each regional fisheries office a network of regional experts and Federal agency contacts, in coordination with relevant organizations (including the National Sea Grant College Program, the Department of Agriculture Regional Aquaculture Centers, land-grant universities, and the Cooperative Extension System of the Department of Agriculture) to provide technical expertise and extension services on marine aquaculture and information on Federal permit requirements; maintain supporting aquaculture divisions in each of the regional fisheries offices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and administer at least 1 Administration Regional Aquaculture Coordinator in each of the 6 National Marine Fisheries regions, which shall be located at a regional office in the respective region.
The Office of Marine Aquaculture shall coordinate its activities with the aquaculture advisory board of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee. The Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee shall designate the Aquaculture Subcommittee as a permanent, standing committee to serve as an external board to advise the Secretary on aquaculture. The Aquaculture Subcommittee shall coordinate with the National Sea Grant Advisory Board, as appropriate.