Hi All:
NMFS' latest move is to permit an offshore aquaculture site off Hawaii. A very short comment period began last Thursday and ends on March 27th. I learned of it just this morning.
http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/SFD/NM ... 02011).pdf
From the Executive Summary:
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration‘s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to issue a Special Coral Reef Ecosystem Fishing Permit (SCREFP) to Kona Blue Water Farms (KBWF) for one year in accordance with the Hawaii Fishery Ecosystem Plan and consistent with implementing federal regulations (50 CFR §665.224) pertaining to management of coral reef ecosystem fisheries. The permit would authorize the culture and harvest of a Hawaii coral reef ecosystem Management Unit Species (MUS) using two small, untethered net pens (Aquapods™) deployed in Federal waters (generally from 3-150 nautical miles (nm) offshore) leeward of the Island of Hawaii. The proposed activity would allow KBWF to test the feasibility of raising marine fish species using a new gear-type (drifting net pens) in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. EEZ).
NMFS apparently thinks it has authority to do this under the MSA provisions to issue "research" permits or grant exempted 'fishing' permits. Many folks disagree with that opinion. Regardless who’s legally right, this is just plain wrong.
Ironically, NMFS and the US Dept of Commerce are currently taking comments on their draft aquaculture policies, so even the agencies don't have any existing rules to guide the permitting of offshore aquaculture. You can find links to both draft policies on the home page of our website: www.aktrollers.org
This isn’t the first time that NMFS has tried to establish a precedent for permitting offshore aquaculture. They worked with the Gulf of Mexico Council and got a plan passed several years back, which has so far been blocked.
For many years a variety of interests have worked to craft aquaculture legislation. ATA’s position is that any initiative that would allow fish farms in the EEZ must protect marine resources, fishing communities, and state’s rights. Lacking comprehensive statutes, regulations, and policies, NMFS is right now attempting an end-run around anyone who supports sound ocean policy.
If this is of concern to you, read the document above and comment to NMFS by the March 27th deadline.
Also, the deadline for comment on the draft aquaculture policies is April 11th.
Dale
ATA