WASHINGTON, D.C. –In a Natural Resources Committee hearing today Congresswoman Lois Capps raised questions about the offshore aquaculture legislation’s lack of comprehensive standards governing future offshore aquaculture.  Such safeguards are needed to protect the environment and public health, and were recently included in landmark legislation passed in California with support from environmental, fishing industry, and public health groups.   Upon questioning from Capps, the Administration’s witness, NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, acknowledged the bill’s shortcoming and announced that the Administration would not oppose including these critical standards in the legislation.

Congresswoman Lois Capps’ statement for the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans’ hearing on the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007 as prepared for delivery:    

Congresswoman Lois Capps

Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans

H.R. 2010, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act of 2007

July 12, 2007
 

Thank you for holding this hearing, Chairwoman Bordallo.  I look forward to hearing from our witnesses on the issues of aquaculture.

Last year, California set a good example for the nation when it enacted legislation to regulate offshore aquaculture along its coast.  This legislation, which was supported by several business, fishing, academic and conservation groups, established common sense environmental and health and safety standards to ensure that the industry is developed in a responsible and sustainable way.

Unfortunately, the legislation before us today fails to provide similar protections.  H.R. 2010, the National Offshore Aquaculture Act lacks strong standards to eliminate or minimize the impacts of marine aquaculture that were included in the California law and recommended by the Marine Aquaculture Task Force earlier this year.

We know that fish farmed in pens are often exposed to chemicals, overfed, swim in waste, and can spread disease and parasites.  They can also escape and breed with wild fish, causing harmful effects to the marine environment.

As efforts to promote this industry grow, it’s essential that this growth not harm wild fish stocks, ocean ecosystems and our fishing communities. 

While this industry may provide a limited opportunity to relieve pressures on wild caught fish, its potential impact on the environment and public health and safety present serious concerns, so we must explore and address these issues.

I believe that this hearing will be able to shed some light on these important concerns.

Thank you.

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Pictured above: (center) Congresswoman Capps meets with Central Coast firefighters to discuss emergency preparedness.