U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) have reintroduced the Keep Finfish Free Act, legislation that would ban commercial offshore finfish aquaculture in federal waters without explicit Congressional approval. The bill would halt any permitting or development of such operations between 3 and 200 nautical miles off the U.S. coast.
Supporters of the bill argue that industrial fish farms pose serious risks to marine ecosystems, wild fish populations, and coastal fishing communities. Critics of offshore aquaculture cite pollution, disease transmission, and unsustainable resource use as key concerns. The legislation follows a 2023 federal court ruling that deemed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ existing permitting process unlawful due to insufficient environmental review.
Originally introduced in 2021, the revived bill has drawn support from environmental and sustainable fishing advocates including SalmonState, Clean Ocean Action, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NJ.
Post a comment