May 12, 2020

 

Trump EO on marine aquaculture stirs environmental concerns but welcomed by industry

 

A US executive order issued by President Donald Trump to boost domestic fishing and aquaculture in federal waters is raising concerns from conservationists.

 

The EO directs federal agencies to expedite permits and environmental reviews for new aquaculture farms. It also instructs federally chartered regional fisheries councils to cut bureaucratic red tape and increase catches of wild fish, according to an article published by Science magazine.

 

"I don't think this is the path forward," Whitley Saumweber of the Center for Strategic and International Studies was quoted as saying in the article. Saumweber helped oversee federal ocean policy during the Obama administration.

 

"It's premature and it's trying to short-circuit what should otherwise be a legislative process", he said of the White House order, which he described as lacking in adequate environmental protections.

 

Environmental groups have criticized marine farms that are close to shore for allegedly causing problems such as nutrient pollution and spreading parasites that harm native species.

 

Industry says EO a good start

 

Environmentalists also fear that deeper water sites can face rougher ocean conditions that could damage pens and accidentally release fish that might mate with and weaken native species.

 

The aquaculture industry, however, generally welcomed the Trump administration's initiative.

 

"This is huge", said Margaret Henderson, campaign manager for Stronger America Through Seafood, an industry trade group. "It's a great show of support".

 

Nevertheless, Henderson stressed that a new federal law crafted by Congress, and not an executive order, would provide the certainty investors need to front the millions of dollars required to develop offshore farms. 

 

"If I'm an investor, I'm not banking on an executive order; I need the support of federal law", she said, adding, though, that the executive order is a good start for the concerned agencies to work on developing the groundwork for permitting.