President Barack Obama has given the green light to commercial deepwater fish farms, and the federal agency charged with regulating ocean waters is already developing a comprehensive policy. Obama’s decision was announced Thursday after months of emotionally charged public hearings in coastal communities and immediately drew scorn from members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation and statewide elected officials.
Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville, who represents the lion’s share of Louisiana’s coast, says fish farming in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico would increase pollution in the ocean and spread disease to wild fish populations. “Raising thousands of fish in confined spaces will create dangerous new pollution hazards in the Gulf, hurting our commercial and recreational fishermen,” says Melancon, adding the Obama administration should reverse its “misguided policy,” especially during a time when “our Louisiana shrimpers and fishermen are facing new threats from foreign competitors.” Read the full story here.—Jeremy Alford
