Dear friends,
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is soliciting
comments on their proposed Code of Conduct for Offshore
Aquaculture, which would open up the 200 mile U.S.
Exclusive Economic Zone to net pens seaward of coastal
state boundaries and authorities. Washington State is one of
the target states for development of offshore aquaculture,
with operations proposed for the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Alaska could have fish farms under the proposed Code even
though salmon farming has been banned in state waters.
New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Maine, Florida, Alabama,
Mississippi and California are also at risk.
You can access the draft Code of Conduct online at the
NMFS aquaculture page:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture.htm
Please at least take a look at the NMFS background and
rationale for the Code.
They state they are committed to facilitating commercial
development of at least seven new finfish species.
They are plainly quite aware that moving off shore takes the
proposed farms out of state and local control.
A stated purpose of the Code is to legitimize aquaculture in
the U.S. Exclusive Economic zone.
They see a need to establish private ownership rights to
sites for developers, which they believe will include foreign
and multi-national corporations. This shift in property rights
privatizes what we all hold in common – the ocean.
NMFS has limited comments to only 30 days, until Sept. 23,
2002 but the process can be extended if enough people call
for it. Contact NOAA/NMFS offices in your region and the
following list of NOAA/NMFS/fisheries personnel:
susan.bunsick@noaa.gov
Robert.C.Hansen@noaa.gov
Laurel.Bryant@noaa.gov,
Gordon.J.Helm@noaa.gov,
Brian.Gorman@noaa.gov,
Jim.Cohen@noaa.gov,
Dane.Clark@noaa.gov,
Jim.Mcvey@noaa.gov.
Contact your elected representatives and anyone else who
will press for public hearings and extended comment time.
Thank you for your help,
Mark Ritchie
Anne Mosness
Mike Skladany
Phil Lansing
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
http://www.iatp.org/fish
PH: 612-870-3402
e-mail: mskladany@iatp.org