Bill · S. 1529· Senate(119-S-1529)
Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 4/30/2025
- Last activity
- 4/30/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- Sponsored by
- Cory Booker
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Keep Finfish Free Act of 2025. It stops federal agencies from issuing permits or taking actions to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the United States. This prohibition applies unless a new federal statute is enacted after this Act that specifically authorizes such action. The bill defines finfish as aquatic finfish in any stage of their life cycle, while excluding amphibians, seaweeds, algae, and invertebrates like shellfish. Commercial finfish aquaculture is defined as activities related to the propagation, rearing, or attempted propagation or rearing of finfish in captivity or under positive control for commercial purposes.
Yes
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+5
Protects the marine environment of the EEZ from potential pollution and escapes associated with commercial finfish farming.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+3
Restricts commercial use of public marine resources in the EEZ.
Does this give the federal government more power?+2
Increases federal control by prohibiting agency action without a specific new statute.
The opposite· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?-6
Directly prohibits commercial finfish aquaculture business operations in the EEZ.
Would farmers be better off under this?-4
Negatively impacts aquaculture farmers by banning their operations in the EEZ.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-4
Prohibits federal agencies from authorizing new commercial finfish farming ventures.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Protection from Agency Action: Under Section 2(a), no federal agency may issue any permit or take any other action to authorize or facilitate commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone unless a new federal statute specifically authorizes it. This ensures that unelected federal agencies cannot move forward with these operations on their own.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Commercial Operations: Section 2(a) completely prohibits federal agencies from issuing permits or facilitating commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone without a new federal statute. This places a direct restriction on commercial operations involving the propagation or rearing of finfish in captivity for commercial purposes.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners-6Good For Farmers-4
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support-4Increases Job Creation-3Improves Economic Growth-2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+5Improves Public Land Management+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade-1
- 9/23/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/30/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Dan SullivanRepublican · Alaska