The "Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025" aims to prevent federal agencies from authorizing or facilitating commercial finfish aquaculture operations within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) . This measure would effectively halt the development of new finfish farming projects in federal waters without explicit congressional approval. The bill establishes a clear restriction on agency actions, including the issuance of permits. This prohibition is not absolute; it allows for such operations only if a Federal statute authorizing such action is enacted after the date of this Act's passage. The bill specifically defines "finfish" as aquatic finfish at any stage of its life cycle, explicitly excluding amphibians, seaweeds, other algae, or invertebrates like shellfish. "Commercial finfish aquaculture" refers to activities involving the propagation or rearing of finfish for commercial purposes.
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Timeline
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-1529| Senate
| Updated: 4/30/2025
The "Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025" aims to prevent federal agencies from authorizing or facilitating commercial finfish aquaculture operations within the United States' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) . This measure would effectively halt the development of new finfish farming projects in federal waters without explicit congressional approval. The bill establishes a clear restriction on agency actions, including the issuance of permits. This prohibition is not absolute; it allows for such operations only if a Federal statute authorizing such action is enacted after the date of this Act's passage. The bill specifically defines "finfish" as aquatic finfish at any stage of its life cycle, explicitly excluding amphibians, seaweeds, other algae, or invertebrates like shellfish. "Commercial finfish aquaculture" refers to activities involving the propagation or rearing of finfish for commercial purposes.