Press Releases

Fish farming in open ocean waters a hot topic in Florida

Alliance of unusual partners raises concerns

Media Contact: Marianne Cufone
Telephone: 813-785-8386     
Email: Marianne@environmentmatters.net

For Immediate Release:  April 30, 2007

Tampa, Florida: An assortment of fishing, conservation and consumer organizations are weighing in on the federal governments proposals to grow fish in open ocean waters. Known as offshore aquaculture - the "farming" of fish, like with chickens and cows, comes with some serious problems, says the groups. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, a Republican from West Virginia, introduced the 2007 version of the Offshore Aquaculture Act on April 24, 2007 to the House of Representatives for consideration (HR 2010). Last year's version, S-1195, failed to make it through the Senate due to assorted problems, especially a lack of strong environmental and user conflict standards.

"Two of the main problems associated with open ocean aquaculture are pollution and user conflicts" says Marianne Cufone of Environment Matters. She is a Florida attorney and environmental advocate that works with many groups on aquaculture issues. "All sorts of wastes can come from fish farms, right into our ocean waters with the potential for widespread and unknown harms. Yet, the federal government is pushing major expansion of open ocean aquaculture without first establishing strict standards to protect natural resources and people and wildlife that rely on them. The U.S. goal should be to first do no harm to what we have, THEN improve our opportunities for the future."

John Williams, Executive Director of Southern Shrimp Alliance agrees. "Open ocean aquaculture is a serious issue for Florida. People are so personally and economically linked with the ocean and coasts - residents and visitors alike enjoy boating, fishing, seafood, swimming and so many more benefits. These are important and need to be safeguarded."

Because the federal proposals for open water aquaculture have lacked adequate environmental standards, Cufone and others pushed the State of Florida to put in place their own protections. Florida Best Management Practices for open ocean aquaculture were just finalized in April 2007, ahead of the federal plans. Most agree the new Florida standards are fairly good, though there are still some unaddressed concerns, like a lack of a bond or insurance requirement to help with any unexpected damage from storms or abandoned facilities due to bankruptcies, and buffer zones for fragile habitat areas. These could be added in the future.

The latest concern with open water aquaculture is that the federal government is now proposing to allow use of old oil rigs as platforms to grow fish, instead of removing them, as originally required by law. The Minerals Management Service, the primary agency involved with oil rigs in federal waters, is holding hearings around the Country to take comments on this and other ideas. The Florida meeting is in Miami.

"I think it's telling that the Feds decided to hold a meeting about using oil rigs as sites for growing fish where there are no oil rigs - on the east coast of Florida." said Joseph Mendelson, Legal Director of Center for Food Safety. "People in Miami are likely less aware of such a proposal than those living in the Florida panhandle, where rigs are nearby. That is one reason we are getting the word out about this - so anyone concerned has the chance to comment."

The Center for Food Safety is sponsoring a public information event in the same location as the federal meeting, so people can come, learn more about open ocean aquaculture and the approval process surrounding it, then go into the federal meeting with questions and comments. "Our intent is for people to stop in throughout the evening, pick up information and enjoy food and drinks, then go over to the federal meeting well prepared" Mendelson said. All are urged to attend both the Center for Food Safety information session and the Minerals Management Service public hearing: 6pm-9pm Wednesday May 2, 2007 at The Holiday Inn Miami Airport, 1111 South Royal Poinciana Blvd., Miami Springs, Florida. Call 813-881-0150 to RSVP or for more information.