August 7, 2009
US legislators to block deepwater aquaculture
With a deadline looming for approval of a federal plan to open the Gulf of Mexico to deepwater fish farming, US House lawmakers and conservationists are attempting to block such offshore ventures until Congress creates a regulating system.
US Rep. Gene Taylor introduced legislation that would prevent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NCAA) and regional fishery management councils from permitting offshore aquaculture.
The measure would invalidate existing permits and put future proposals for offshore fish farming on hold until Congress passes new legislation to regulate deepwater aquaculture.
The legislation is supported by Natural Resources Chairman Nick Rahall, whose panel oversees fisheries issues. Rahall co-sponsored the bill, which was also endorsed by environmental groups Ocean Conservancy and Food and Water Watch.
The debate over whether to allow fish to be raised in deepwater nets and cages has heated up since a fishery management council approved what would be the first large permitting system earlier this year.
