Magaziner Secures FDA Approval to Boost Marketability of Rhode Island-Caught Fish

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow scup, a fish widely caught and sold in Rhode Island, to be marketed as "Golden Sea Bream" - a change expected to improve marketability and help bring higher profits home to Rhode Island fishermen.

Magaziner introduced a bill last year providing for the name change, and similar language was secured in a government funding package recently signed into law.

The FDA regulates market names for certain food products to ensure accurate labeling, consumer transparency, and public safety. Through the enacted funding package, Magaziner successfully secured language directing the FDA to approve the additional market name for scup. The FDA subsequently confirmed that "Golden Sea Bream" is an acceptable name, and the update will be reflected in the July 2026 Seafood List publication.

"Hardworking fishermen deserve a fair price for their catch, and I am proud to have passed this legislation that will help open new markets and bring more profits home to Rhode Island," said Magaziner. "I will always fight to support the local fishing industry and the workers who keep it alive. Rhode Island's fishing industry is central to our economy, culture, and way of life."

"We are so grateful to Congressman Magaziner for enacting this legislation. Being able to market scup as golden sea bream will go a long way towards developing stronger demand for this delicious native species and providing better returns for our hardworking Rhode Island commercial fishermen." said Meghan Lapp, Fisheries Liaison, Seafreeze Ltd.

"The new brand name for unknowing consumers of Golden Sea Bream will be appealing at retail and especially on menus instead of Scup! Thank you to the FDA and our Rhode Island Congressional delegation for making a change," said Fred Mattera, Executive Director at the Commercial Fisheries Center of RI.

"We thank Rep. Magaziner and the supporters of this bill for their efforts helping us market a healthy underutilized and very tasty resource. With this name change we hope to be able to get Golden Sea Bream, a domestic sustainable fish, to more dinner plates across the country and the world." said Katie Almeida, Sr. Representative, Government Relations & Sustainability at Town Dock/Sea Fresh.

The language was included in the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill which was signed into law as part of a larger government funding package late last year.

Magaziner voted against the overall package due to the lack of funding to extend the Affordable Care Act health care tax credits that helps millions of Americans afford their health insurance, but still celebrate the inclusion and the passage of their bill as a win for Rhode Island.