Below is a the official comment from the California Aquaculture Association (CAA) regarding the Proposed Aquaculture Plan for Federal Water of the Gulf of Mexico. To read more about the Plan and to post a comment, please click here.
The California Aquaculture Association fully supports the Fishery Management Plan for Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico.
Fish consumption and demand is increasing significantly on an international scale. The public is becoming more and more aware of the health benefits of eating fish and our responsibility to find better ways to supply this fish in order to protect our oceans’ ecosystems. Also, as feed conversion ratios for fish are extremely efficient, aquaculture will continue to be essential in feeding our world’s population.
As outlined, the Fishery Management Plan for Offshore Aquaculture would establish a regional permitting process for aquaculture, allowing the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to increase maximum sustainable yield and optimum yield of Federal fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico by supplementing harvest of wild caught species with cultured product. This, of course, is essential to protect and preserve our ocean fisheries while still producing needed seafood to meet increasing demand.
Aquaculture must continue to grow and gain momentum. Plans like this, which would allow for an increase in aquaculture production, are necessary to further develop the sustainable aquaculture industry.
In summary, the California Aquaculture Association fully supports the Fishery Management Plan for Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico. Please direct any questions to us at info@caaquaculture.org.
Thank you,
Michael Lee, Executive Director
California Aquaculture Association
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