March 12, 2007

 

US seeks to boost aquaculture by allowing deep ocean fish farms

 

 

The Bush administration wants to allow ocean farming for shellfish, salmon and saltwater species in federal waters for the first time, hoping to grab a greater share of the US$70 billion aquaculture market.

 

A plan being announced Monday (Mar 12) by Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez would let companies operate fish farms three miles to 200 miles offshore, but without some of the rules on size, season and harvest methods that apply to other commercial fishermen.

 

Fish farms already operate on inland and coastal waters as far as three miles into the ocean, which fall under state jurisdiction.

 

Environmental concerns have arisen about wastewater generated by such operations. Gutierrez, however, said the administration's proposal had safeguards and would permit states to ban fish farming up to 12 miles off their coast.

 

'We believe we can do it in a way that is environmentally sound, that makes sense for our economy. And given that we are importing so much farm-raised fish, we might as well do it ourselves," Gutierrez told The Associated Press.

 

The plan, to be presented at the International Boston Seafood Show, would help the US$1 billion US aquaculture industry roughly double over the next few decades, he said.

 

Globally, the US$70 billion aquaculture business accounts for almost half the seafood consumed in the world today as wild fish stocks decline.

 

About 70 percent of all the seafood eaten in the US comes from overseas, contributing "a trade deficit of about US$9 billion in fish," Gutierrez said. Almost half is farm-raised.

 

Farming of saltwater species such as salmon and shrimp is common in countries such as Thailand, Canada, China and Scotland. Much of their catch is sold in the US.

 

Until now, the US industry has focused mainly on catfish, tilapia and other freshwater fish. Some ocean farms raise shellfish such as mussels, clams and oysters, as well as shrimp and salmon.

 

"We can do it a lot better than anyone else," Gutierrez told the AP. "We believe that the power of the marketplace will be what determines the success here."

 

Only three years ago the Environmental Protection Agency begin regulating the more than 200 fish farms that generate wastewater poured directly into US waterways.

 

Fish farming companies also must consult with the Food and Drug Administration, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Agriculture Department and other federal and state environmental agencies.

 

But the US lacks regulations for aquaculture in federal marine waters that extend three miles to 200 miles offshore, where US jurisdiction ends.

 

The administration wants Congress to pass legislation that would let the Commerce Department issue 20-year permits to companies that raise fish in deep ocean waters. The permits would exempt companies from regulations that apply to other commercial fishermen and are intended to restrict size, season and harvest methods.