Efforts to expand offshore fish farming in U.S. federal waters—especially the Gulf of Mexico—were dealt a major setback after a federal judge struck down a nationwide aquaculture permit issued during President Trump’s first term. The permit would have allowed widespread development of offshore fish farms, but U.S. District Judge Kymberly K. Evanson ruled it unlawful, citing environmental risks and regional ecological differences.
Environmental groups and wild seafood advocates opposed the permit, arguing fish farms cause pollution, harm wild fish populations, and threaten the Gulf’s fishing industry. They also criticized the blanket approach, saying federal waters vary too much for a one-size-fits-all permit.
The Trump administration had pushed for deregulation to boost domestic seafood production, but repeated legal rulings have blocked these efforts. Though the aquaculture industry argues offshore farming is vital for food security and reducing seafood imports, opponents say the environmental risks are too great.
With the court’s ruling, companies must now pursue individual permits—likely a slower, more scrutinized process. Currently, the U.S. has no commercial fish farming in federal waters and only one offshore farm in state waters (Hawaii), while countries like China and Norway lead global production.
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