Reaction to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) new national marine aquaculture policy is beginning to trickle in. Released on Thursday, the policy will guide agency’s fish farming-related activities and provide a national approach to supporting sustainable aquaculture.
The Ocean Stewards Institute (OSI), an industry group that advocates for sustainable aquaculture, applauded the policy, calling it “a positive step forward” for both aquaculture and oceans conservation.
“This is a positive step forward, not only for sustainable domestic aquaculture but also for the protection of our ocean resources,” said Neil Anthony Sims, OSI president and co-CEO of Hawaii’s Kona Blue Water Farms. “We look forward to working with NOAA to now implement this plan.”
Sims commended NOAA for its emphasis on a timely, science-based process for issuing fish farm permits.
“Given that the increasing demand for healthful seafood is already outstripping supply, NOAA needs to move forward without additional delays,” said Sims. “We believe that a responsible, environmentally sound open-ocean mariculture industry is an integral part of a national ocean policy that should also include sustainable fisheries management and extensive marine protected areas. NOAA should now move forward expediently in setting up the implementing regulations.”
Dr. George H. Leonard, Ocean Conservancy’s aquaculture program director, agreed that the policy is “a step in the right direction.” But he also called on Congress to empower NOAA to protect the oceans from the environmental risks associated with fish farming.
“Unless and until comprehensive new federal legislation that addresses environmental, socioeconomic, and liability concerns is passed, open ocean aquaculture should not proceed in our ocean,” said Leonard.
“Inherent in NOAA’s new policy is the agency’s intention to advance aquaculture under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act. But as any fishermen will tell you, aquaculture is not fishing. The Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture Fishery Management Plan has been widely criticized by conservationists, scientists, fishermen and members of Congress alike. If NOAA intends to advance that plan as is, the long-term viability of wild fish — and fishermen — is at stake.”
In 2009, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted to allow open-ocean aquaculture and establish a permitting process for fish farming in the Gulf. Eric Schwaab, NOAA assistant administrator for fisheries, said during Thursday’s press briefing that the agencies will work together to ensure that the council’s process is consistent with the national marine aquaculture policy.
NOAA’s new policy does not carry the force of law.
