The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are federal bodies that make decisions about fish in U.S. waters. In September 2009, despite receiving thousands of letters opposing fish farming in Gulf waters, NMFS allowed a plan approved by the Gulf Council to permit open-water fish farming to go into effect. This industrial form of fish production is sometimes called “open-ocean aquaculture,” “ocean fish farming” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it can cause serious problems for coastal and fishing communities and our waters.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are federal bodies that make decisions about fish in U.S. waters. In September 2009, despite receiving thousands of letters opposing fish farming in Gulf waters, NMFS allowed a plan approved by the Gulf Council to permit open-water fish farming to go into effect. This industrial form of fish production is sometimes called “open-ocean aquaculture,” “ocean fish farming” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it can cause serious problems for coastal and fishing communities and our waters.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) are federal bodies that make decisions about fish in U.S. waters. In September 2009, despite receiving thousands of letters opposing fish farming in Gulf waters, NMFS allowed a plan approved by the Gulf Council to permit open-water fish farming to go into effect. This industrial form of fish production is sometimes called “open-ocean aquaculture,” “ocean fish farming” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it can cause serious problems for coastal and fishing communities and our waters.
T he Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS) are federal bodies that make decisions about fish in U.S. waters. In September 2009, despite receiving thousands of letters opposing fish farming in Gulf waters, NMFS allowed a plan approved by the Gulf Council to permit open-water fish farming to go into effect. This industrial form of fish production is sometimes called “open-ocean aquaculture,” “ocean fish farming” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it can cause serious problems for coastal and fishing communities and our waters.
What Is Open-Water Fish Farming? Open-Water Fish Farming Usually Only
Also known as ocean aquaculture or offshore aquaculture, Benefits a Few but Can Harm Many open-water fish farming is the mass production of finfish Commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, coastal using enormous, floating net pens or cages in open waters residents and those in the tourism industry — anyone (between three and 200 miles off the coast, except off of who relies on clean waters for their livelihood or enjoy- the Texas and west Florida coasts, where federal waters ment — could be harmed by the implementation of this begin about nine miles from shore). Plans are currently plan. Fish farming can pollute the waters, decrease the moving forward without a real understanding of the risks areas available for commercial and recreational uses, and such operations pose to human health, the economies of — since the cages are not always submerged — destroy coastal and fishing communities, wild fish populations, the natural beauty of the Keys. marine mammals, endangered and threatened species, species of concern, birds, essential habitat and other frag- Open-Water Fish Farming Can Hurt ile and special areas. Commercial and Recreational Fishermen Historically, commercial fishermen have lost jobs when open-water aquaculture facilities have farmed the same species that are also wild-caught. Competition from farmed fish pushes the price of wild fish down and can make individual fishing quotas less valuable because there is too much fish available on the market. Combined with high oil and gas prices, commercial fishermen can be hurt by open-water fish farms. All fishermen could be impacted by where cages are placed. The plan does not identify which areas will be used for open-water fish farming and which will not. Facilities could be installed in or near popular fishing grounds. Additionally, the plan prevents fishing near or around the farms and designates a buffer zone around the operations. Valuable fishing areas could be lost around where farms are located. Open-Water Fish Farming Can Diminish sumers certainly need more access to clean, healthy fish Wild Fish’s Food Supply from local sources, this plan is not a good solution. For- eign investors and the industry itself are the most likely Farmed fish are often fed wild fish either directly or after to benefit from open-water fish farming, while potentially being processed into fish meal or oil. These prey fish are harming our local communities. In order to be profitable, a crucial part of the marine ecosystem, serving as food for open-water fish farming must be done at an industrial marine mammals, birds and other larger fish. Feeding scale, which requires a large amount of capital to begin. wild prey to farmed fish is also inefficient: It can take two Big business is the only player with enough money for to six pounds of wild fish to raise one pound of farmed start-up operations. fish. While some are turning to other protein sources (like soy) as an alternative for fishmeal and oil, the im- pacts of introducing a large amount of land-based nutri- What Are People Doing About It and ents into the marine ecosystem are not well understood. What Can I Do? Prior to the passing of the Gulf Council’s plan, thousands Open-Water Fish Farming Can Hurt the of people wrote letters, made phone calls or attended Local Economy and Environment public hearings. Although the plan was tacitly approved, there are ways we can stop its implementation and This plan allows for commercial scale open-water fish protect those who could be negatively affected. Sanctu- farming — which involves use of many fish cages. One ary Advisory Councils can play a special role in defend- popular style of net pen is the size of 33 Olympic-sized ing our most valuable places by recommending a ban on pools put together. These operations are often unat- open-water fish farming in their respective sanctuaries. tractive and predators, like sharks, can frequently be seen Individuals and organizations can help by writing to their nearby, attracted by the captive fish. Such large facilities members of Congress and asking them to take a stand could change the face of the Keys and thus also the expe- against industrialized open-water fish farming. rience of those that live and spend time there.
If It Can Cause Problems, Why Was For more information: