WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Roger Wicker today introduced legislation to support U.S. seafood consumption. Their legislation, the Seafood Marketing Act of 2022, would re-establish the National Seafood Council as a vehicle to promote the consumption of seafood. 

“Americans are looking for competitive options at the supermarket and seafood provides a range of tastes for healthy and delicious meals,” said Senator Cardin. “Across the Chesapeake Bay and across the country, seafood is an integral component of our economy. I’m proud to join Senator Wicker in this bipartisan effort to support this important industry.”

“America’s seafood industry provides our nation with some of the most nutritious, cost-effective, and delicious protein on the market. That is especially true in my home state of Mississippi where our producers are a cultural and economic treasure,” Wicker said. “This bipartisan effort would raise awareness about the positive health benefits of eating seafood and continue supporting a critical sector of the American economy.”

Language in the FY23 Appropriations bill would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to deliver a report to Congress on how the agency would best support the National Seafood Council.

The National Seafood Council previously operated from 1986 to 1991. At the time, data showed it had an impact on national seafood consumption. The bipartisan measure would reestablish the council with federal support until 2027, at which point funding responsibility would transfer to seafood industry stakeholders.