The Future of U.S. Aquaculture: Can the Blue Revolution Go Green? Michael Sutton Center for the Future of the Oceans Monterey Bay Aquarium Capitol Hill Oceans Week June 8, 2005

Six of Top 10 Seafoods are Farmed to Some Extent 0.3Scallops 0.5Clams 0.5Tilapia 0.6Crab 0.6Cod 1.1Catfish 1.7Whitefish 2.2Salmon 3.4Canned Tuna 4.0Shrimp Top 10 U.S. Seafood 2003 (lbs/capita) H. M. Johnson (2003) 100% Farmed 41% Farmed 63% Farmed

Most Fish Farming Poses No Threat to the Environment, But... World Production of Farmed Fish: FAO 2001

U.S. Marine Aquaculture Involves Mostly Carnivores AmberjackRed SnapperRed DrumCobia Pacific Threadfin Halibut Atlantic Cod Haddock Florida Pompano Summer FlounderMutton Snapper Atlantic Salmon

Some Farmed Species are Good Choices, Others Not

Environmental Concerns Fishmeal in Feeds Risk of Escapes Risk of Disease Transfer Wastes & Pollution Release of Chemicals Interactions with Marine Wildlife Conflicts with Fisheries and other ocean uses

Aquaculture is Changing Rapidly Advances in feed efficiency Closed containment systems Offshore net pens Ecological effects of scaling up?

The Ocean Commissions Expressed concern over some kinds of fish farming Aquaculture must be environmentally responsible Develop national standards for fish farming before moving forward

U.S. Aquaculture Legislation NOAA: Proposed legislation envisions a $5 billion industry (5x increase) by 2025 Use decommissioned oil rigs as anchors Giant ocean feedlots would release as much nitrogen pollution as a city of 17 million Pollution could equal that of the 10 million hogs in North Carolina Bill contains no national standards for environmentally responsible fish farming

What is from the NOAA Aquaculture Bill? What is Missing from the NOAA Aquaculture Bill? Tough legal standards for environmental protection Process to establish appropriate sites for fish farms Transparency and opportunities for public comment on permits Clear authority to police facilities and rescind permits for violations

SB 768 – California’s Approach Requires environmental impact assessment No adverse impact on fishing, other uses, wildlife and marine habitats Prevent discharge of pollutants Minimize drug and chemical use Prevent and report escapes Restore any damage to the marine environment Authority to monitor & inspect facilities Pay reasonable lease fees

U.S. Commission on Aquaculture Could be established by legislation Purpose: To consider key ecological and socioeconomic questions Two-year process modeled after the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Broad representation of all stakeholders Report to the Congress and recommend National Standards for aquaculture

Let’s Not Repeat Mistakes of the Past Reckless promotion of fisheries resulted in serious consequences Like fisheries, offshore fish farming has great potential Our challenge: Develop the industry while protecting the oceans Pass legislation that promotes aquaculture only with appropriate environmental safeguards