Congresswoman Lois Capps introduced the National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009 last week.(Photo: judybakerforcongress/ NOAA)

Sustainable offshore aquaculture bill introduced

UNITED STATES
Tuesday, December 22, 2009, 16:50 (GMT + 9)

Congresswoman Lois Capps on Thursday introduced the National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009, legislation that would for the first time establish an inclusive regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture. The legislation would also create a research programme to tackle significant data gaps and ensure that the offshore aquaculture development is environmentally sustainable.

There are currently no national policies or laws governing the regulation of this offshore fish farming method in American waters. Officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said the agency will set up its own national aquaculture policy in early 2010.

“Developing these guidelines has the potential to preserve the integrity of our fragile ocean ecosystems, meet the increasing consumer demand for seafood, reduce stress on wild fish populations, and create jobs here at home,” said Capps. “I believe this type of balanced, comprehensive and precautionary approach will work in California, and my legislation seeks to accomplish similar goals at the national level.”

Ocean Conservancy’s Aquaculture Programme Director George Leonard is also optimistic about the legislation.

“It’s time to set a standard for open-ocean aquaculture, and the National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act is an important step,” Leonard noted.  “We need a strong national framework for marine aquaculture before expansion occurs in our federal ocean waters, and Congresswoman Capps is to be commended for showing leadership on this important national issue.”

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council adopted a fishery management plan last January to develop a permitting system for offshore aquaculture. In September, NOAA failed to make an active decision, allowing the plan to be implemented and thus setting a precedent whereby aquaculture is regulated case-by-case with an inconsistent application of regulations and standards.  

This approach may lead to a regulatory system for offshore aquaculture that could cause significant and potentially irreparable environmental impacts such as water pollution from waste and chemicals, disease transmission to wild stocks, harm to native wild fish from escaped farmed species and a higher use of wild fish for feed.

The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Plan and the mounting stress on fisheries and marine ecosystems highlight the need for immediate federal action to set national regulations, said the US Government.

Capps’ National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009 would establish a comprehensive federal regulatory system for offshore aquaculture including standardized, precautionary measures to protect ecosystems and coastal communities. The legislation’s key provisions include:

• Establishing a clear, streamlined regulatory process for offshore aquaculture with specific provisions and permit terms to protect ecosystems and coastal communities
• Requiring coordinated, regional programmatic environmental impact statements to provide regulatory certainty, ensure environmental protection for sensitive marine areas and reduce conflicts among competing uses of marine resources 
• Authorizing new funds for research to help develop adaptive, environmentally friendly management offshore farming

Related articles:

- Govt sued over offshore aquaculture plan
- NOAA backs Obama's Gulf of Mexico aquaculture move
- Lawmakers call for dismissal of Gulf aquaculture plan

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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