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This legislation establishes the first legally-binding national standards for how fish farming should be conducted in the open-ocean in the United States.

 

 

There are currently no overarching policies or laws governing how this method of fish farming should be governed in America's territorial waters, generally beyond three miles from the coastline.

 

Lois Capps

"It's time to set a standard for open-ocean aquaculture, and the National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act is an important step. The legislation offers a science-based precautionary approach including overarching environmental, socioeconomic, and liability standards," explained George Leonard, Ocean Conservancy's aquaculture program director. "We need a strong national framework for marine aquaculture before expansion occurs in our federal ocean waters, and Congresswoman Capps is to be commended for showing leadership on this important national issue."

 

"My legislation represents a huge step forward in our efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for offshore aquaculture development that balances environmental, social, and economic concerns," said Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-CA). "I believe that by working together we can create a common sense framework that ensures that offshore aquaculture development proceeds in an ecologically sustainable fashion.”

 

 

George Leonard

"The National Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2009 is just the type of legislation our country needs to prevent the patchwork of regulation that went into effect when the Gulf aquaculture plan was approved. The health of the ocean and the coastal economy is critical and the dangerous precedent set by the Gulf Council's aquaculture plan is a threat to all coastlines, from New England to the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific coast," concluded Leonard.

 

Ocean Conservancy has been working on strong environmental standards for aquaculture during the past two Congresses and through state legislatures. California's state guidelines, adopted in 2006, serve as a model for the kind of national legislation that Ocean Conservancy envisions. California's bill and the federal legislation introduced today will ensure that offshore aquaculture develops in an orderly manner, incorporates appropriate public input, protects the long-term public interest in healthy marine ecosystems, and poses minimal risks to fisheries, marine wildlife, and the ecosystems on which they depend.

 

 

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the oceans. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific, with support from more than half a million members and volunteers.

 

 

NOAA backs Obama's Gulf of Mexico aquaculture move

 

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