Oyster Reef Recovery Act of 2025

This bill would create a program at the Commerce Department (through NOAA) to restore and protect oyster reefs. It would give technical help and funding to support mapping and water quality checks, plan and build reef projects, share best practices, and train workers, with a focus on helping underserved communities . A competitive grant program would fund research, planning, construction, monitoring, collaboration, and workforce training. Applicants must show their projects won’t interfere with fishing or other water uses. States and Tribes keep their authority to manage oysters. The bill allows $15 million per year for 2026–2030 to run the program.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Coastal communities; the shellfish industry (growers and harvesters); conservation groups; States and Tribes that manage oysters.
• What changes: New oyster reef restoration program, grants, technical support, and workforce training; stronger monitoring and sharing of best practices; projects must avoid interfering with fishing and other water uses.
• When: Funding authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.