Offshore Ground and Fin Fish Farming in North Pacific Federal Waters
AFN strongly opposes legislative or administrative actions that would legalize the development of offshore ground and finfish farming in North Pacific federal waters. The coastal villages in Alaska rely upon the fishing industry to meet their subsistence needs, provide jobs and sustain many community and regional economies. The economic performance of the entire state is intrinsically connected to the economic performance of Alaska’s coastal communities. In the fall of 2004, Governor Murkowski asked the U.S. Department of Commerce for a 5-year moratorium on new finfish farming before considering any changes that would encourage aquaculture in federal waters. Nevertheless, S. 1195, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2005, was introduced in June 2005 and referred to the Senate Commerce Committee. The bill would give the Secretary the authority to establish and implement a regulatory system for offshore aquaculture. Alaska banned fish farming over 15 years ago over concerns that aquaculture could damage the state’s wild salmon stocks and directly and adversely impact coastal communities that rely upon the viability of the Alaska’s bountiful fish resources. Offshore finfish farming poses significant threats to livelihoods and consumer confidence in Alaska wild salmon. AFN opposes S.1195. No new finfish aquaculture operations should be approved until we have adequate scientific research to assess the environmental and socio-economic impacts of farm fishing on Alaska’s coastal communities and Alaska’s wild salmon.
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