Hearing on Ocean Fish Farming Promotes Controversial Industry Despite Known Problems

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Hearing on Ocean Fish Farming Promotes Controversial Industry Despite Known Problems

Statement of Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter

“This week, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife held an oversight hearing in an effort to show that ocean fishing farming – the mass production of fish in floating cages or pens in open ocean waters – would be a viable and valuable industry for the U.S. if national standards are set.

“The panelists had clearly been tasked with expressing support for a national bill promoting ocean fish farming – but most also detailed serious concerns with developing this industry. The result was a very confusing and contradictory discussion, with the take-away message that ocean fish farming can harm the marine environment, economic stability of fishing communities and public use and enjoyment of our oceans – but that Congress should move forward swiftly with crafting legislation to allow it anyway.
Specifically, the stated goals at the hearing for a national ocean fish farming program were to create more jobs, rely less on seafood imports and protect wild fish and the environment. Such goals are all laudable, but ocean fish farming is unlikely to accomplish any of these, and will likely do more harm than good.

“Ocean fish farms are likely to reduce jobs, causing economic problems for fishing-dependant communities. In the 1990s, the farming industry in British Columbia tripled but added no new jobs. In Scotland and Norway, the salmon-farming industry dramatically expanded production, but employment decreased due to increased mechanization. Worse than not fulfilling the promise of providing new jobs, U.S. ocean fish farms are likely to outcompete and ultimately replace traditional fishing, causing widespread job losses, and also hurting businesses that rely on fishing.

“That the U.S. imports about 80 percent of the seafood consumed here was the theme of the hearing, and repeated regularly, as if that one fact somehow justified all the ills that ocean fish farming can cause. However, ocean fish farms are unlikely to eliminate our reliance on imported seafood. Currently, the U.S. exports about 70 percent of its domestic fish production, including tilapia, tuna, salmon, crab, and some shrimp. Ironically, these are among our top seafood imports as well. The U.S. sends abroad the fish it produces to fetch a higher price from countries willing to pay for our more stringent health, safety and environmental standards, while importing lower quality, cheaper seafood for U.S. consumers to eat. Likely, this will not change dramatically with the coming of ocean fish farms. The industry is intended for profit— and it is an expensive endeavor. To make money, fish farmed in U.S. waters will probably be sent elsewhere for big dollars—likely leaving the U.S. with just the environmental and economic consequences, and little else.

“Fish farms can be dirty, pollute the environment, and infect wildlife. Because ocean fish farms allow free flow of water between the cages and the ocean, concentrated amounts of fish food, wastes, diseases, and any chemicals or antibiotics that may be used in farms can flow straight into ocean waters.

“It seemed that the primary push at the hearing for a national ocean fish farming bill hinged on the need to regulate development of fish farms off California and in the Gulf of Mexico. Both California and the Gulf of Mexico now have laws that could allow ocean fish farms, and Hubbs-Seaworld has proposed a project off San Diego.

“The unrealistic fear of fish farms appearing in the ocean sets up a false urgency to pass federal legislation. The Gulf plan and Hubbs do not require national standards to prevent their moving forward. In fact, the Gulf plan has no implementing regulations and National Marine Fisheries Service has said there will be none until a national policy is created and set. Additionally, there are other more rational options to prevent ad-hoc processes that could allow ocean fish farms. Enact a moratorium, or prevent all agencies from permitting ocean fish farms –rushing to create law that will allow development of a damaging industry – in the name of protection and conservation - makes little sense.

“The hearing was, overall, disappointing. Somehow no one realized that creating ‘stringent standards’ for ocean fish farming still equates to allowing this potentially devastating industry to develop in U.S. waters. Further, there was no discussion of alternate approaches to increased seafood production, such as land-based, recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which are closed-loop facilities that retain and treat the water in the system. This method of fish farming can reduce discharge of waste, the need for antibiotics or chemicals used to combat disease, and fish and parasite escapes. RAS are not connected to open waters, and therefore can be used to grow a wide range of plants and fish without threatening the environment or competing with fishermen.

“It appears that Congress intends to simply push forward to develop an industry that could harm the marine environment, the economic stability of fishing communities and public use and enjoyment of our oceans without spending enough time to fully review the costs and benefits of open ocean aquaculture. We hope they reconsider.”

To read more about RAS and their possible uses in the U.S., visit http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/asa/.

Food & Water Watch, a nonprofit consumer organization based in Washington, D.C., works to ensure clean water and safe food in the United States and around the world. We work with various community outreach groups globally to create an economically and environmentally viable future. We advocate for safe, wholesome food produced in a humane and sustainable manner, and public rather than private control of water resources, including oceans, rivers and groundwater. The Food & Water Watch Fish Program promotes cleaner, greener, safer seafood for consumers, while helping to protect the environment and support long-term well being of coastal communities.