Aquaculture for all

Federal law for fish farming urged to move industry forward

US - In passing the Magnuson-Stevens Act in December, Congress promised an end to overfishing in the U.S. 200-mile zone by 2010. That is a good thing, but not enough to provide Americans with the seafood they will want to consume in the 21st century.

Only the addition of aquaculture — seafood farming — can do that.

Our inland waters are good for salmon farming, but fish pens bother the neighbors and are often resisted. Those who would grow fish away from view property think of the open ocean, but that is federal territory and there is no federal law for farming.

There should be. The National Marine Fisheries Service has offered a bill that clarifies how a fish farm might be approved, monitored and regulated. Something like this bill needs to be passed so initial commercial ventures can begin.

Source: The Seattle Times

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