Senate to hold hearings on fish farms bill this week
By Joel Gallob Of the News-Times
newportnewstimes.com
Even as Northwest coast salmon fishermen seek to prepare for a potentially calamitous season closure, on the other side of the country Congress is preparing to discuss a bill backed by the Bush administration that would expand, support and regulate large-scale fish farming in American coastal waters. Some argue fish farms would enhance fish production and reduce seasonal variations in availability. Others worry they would add cut-rate competition against existing ocean salmon fishers, flooding the market with low-quality, low-price fish.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology is scheduled to hear testimony on offshore aquaculture - fish farms - on Thursday, April 6.
According to the announcement on a congressional website, "The United States lags behind other nations in using offshore aquaculture facilities to supplement its domestic seafood production. This hearing will examine current proposals to regulate offshore aquaculture operations, discuss research in this field being conducted off the coast of New England and Hawaii, and explore the impact that expanded aquaculture operations would have on fishermen, seafood processors, and consumers."
Several months ago, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-5th Dist.) held a session with central coast political leaders, scientists, fishermen, businesspeople and environmentalists. With about 30 people in attendance, only one supported the idea of using fish farms to supplement wild (and hatchery) fish production. Gil Sylvia, director of the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiments Station, saw a potential in fish farms to help provide protein for hungry world in which, globally, many fish stocks are depleted, overfished or close to it. Nearly everyone else at the meeting voiced a contrary view, telling the congresswoman they opposed fish farms due to concerns regarding health impacts on wild fish, economic impacts on coast fishermen, induced dead zones and other environmental impacts from such farms.
"I've got my marching orders," Hooley said at the time.
Mark Vinsel, director of United Fishermen of Alaska, urged all West Coast fishermen to contact their senators to oppose the legislation. Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) is one of the members of that committee. The only other West Coast member is Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
Joel Gallob is a reporter for the News-Times. He can be reached at 265-8571, ext. 223 or |
