The federal government is targeting the Gulf of Mexico to expand a potentially dirty and dangerous industry: commercial-scale fish farming in our oceans.

This plan is bad for human health, the ocean environment, and coastal fishing communities. Advocates of ocean fish farming were hoping to sneak the plan through under the radar of public opinion by January 2008. But thanks to concerned citizens and organizations throughout the Gulf region and around the country, we’ve publicized their plan and we’re stepping up to protect our Gulf!

read our recent report

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been promoting offshore aquaculture –– growing fish in nets or cages between three and 200 miles from shore –– as the best way to increase U.S. seafood output. Now, NOAA wants to establish this large-scale fish farming off the U.S. Gulf of Mexico coast. Learn more about the environmental and economic consequences of offshore aquaculture in Offshore Aquaculture: Bad News in the Gulf. Click here to read the press release. Don't miss the summary of our press call discussing the Gulf Council plan. You can even listen to the audio recording.

When the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, which makes decisions about Gulf fish policy, met in Biloxi, Mississippi on October 31, 2007, they were greeted by a giant tuxedo-clad fish (it was Halloween, after all) with a sign saying “Protect the Gulf from industrial fish farming.”

Joining the fish were dozens of concerned fishermen, ocean and environmental advocates, charter boat operators, elected officials, scientists, and students wearing pins declaring “I’m with the Fish” to signify their own worries about ocean fish farming. The fish delivered box after box of letters expressing concern to the Council from more than 8,000 people, along with a letter signed by 35 national and regional organizations and photo petitions from people all over the country.

Read the New Orleans Times-Picayune coverage here.

Among those who testified before the Council was Mississippi State Senator Deborah Dawkins. Referring to the Gulf Council's plan, she said, "As currently written, this draft amendment poses serious risks to our oceans and our health and our coastal communities."

As a result of our actions, the Gulf Council agreed to hold public hearings on its industrial fish farm policy in each Gulf state. These meetings were necessary to provide the public with information about offshore aquaculture and an opportunity to ensure that any plan represents the best interests of Gulf residents.

During the week of December 10, 2007, public hearings took place in Tampa, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Biloxi, Mississippi; Mobile, Alabama; and Houston, Texas. Hundreds of people came out to tell the Council to slow down their ocean fish farming plan. 

Now that Gulf residents have shed some light on the truth about industrial fish farming, we have a chance to make sure that any plans for our shared ocean resources protect human health, the environment, and Gulf coast fishing communities. The Council is still working on a plan for ocean fish farming in the Gulf, but now its approval is delayed until at least summer 2008 - congrats to all that helped protect the Gulf!!

Recent News Coverage

Be sure to check back in January for more updates and photos from the recent public hearings and more information on what you can do now to help protect the Gulf. But please enjoy some of the recent news coverage of this important victory:

Florida

• Saint Petersburg Times: "Unlikely Allies Oppose Gulf Fish Farming"
  
• Saint Petersburg Times: "Gulf to Teem With Fish in Cages if Farms Okayed"
  

New Orleans

• The Times–Picayune: "Fish Farming Proposal Assailed"
  

Biloxi

• WLOX: "Residents Speak Out About Fish Farm Plans"
  

Mobile

• The Press–Register: "Council Holds Fish Hearing"
  

Other Publications

• Fish Update
• Gristmill Blog
• Fish Farmer Magazine

Missed us in the Gulf? Check out these photos!

Food & Water Watch fish campaign organizer Sascha Bollag (right) speaks to Louisiana Shrimp Association members Benton and Linda Pitre (left) and LSA board member Terry Pizani (center) at the Oct. 31, 2007, meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council in Biloxi, before donning the fish costume to deliver 8,000 letters to the Council expressing concern about the offshore aquaculture plan. (left)

Jeneane from Biloxi, Mississippi, declares her allegiance to the fish campaigning to protect the Gulf of Mexico from industrial fish farming, while enjoying the day at the New Orleans Voodoo Music Experience. (below)

For more photos of the event, check out our blog.

Why we’re concerned about offshore aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico

• Public health: The chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones that could be used to raise fish in crowded conditions end up on our dinner plates.
• The environment: It takes as much as 6 pounds of wild fish to raise 1 pound of farmed fish. At that rate we’ll deplete our wild fish populations, threatening the survival of other species and the livelihoods of Gulf fishing communities.
• Fishing communities: The development of offshore aquaculture in the Gulf could depress fish prices and negatively impact commercial and recreational fishermen and women.

Read More

• To learn more, read our fact sheet on the Gulf Council’s misguided plan.