Open Water Aquaculture

Open water aquaculture, commonly referred to as offshore aquaculture, is a method of commercially farming massive quantities of saltwater fish in large cages in open ocean waters.

BECOME AWARE:

If managed incorrectly, openwater aquaculture facilities poses the following threats:

•    Escapement: There have been many documented cases of fish escaping from open water aquaculture pins (www.foodandwaterwatch.org). If an escapee is diseased, genetically modified and/or of a foreign fish stock it could potentially disrupt ecosystems by overtaking native fish populations, introducing disease resulting in devastating consequences.

•    Water Pollution: Concentrated populations of fishes associated with aquaculture contribute to excess food waste and feces, and leaching of chemicals and pharmaceutical associated with maintenance.

•    Over Fishing: Fish feed use in aquaculture facilities often constitutes of wild caught fish. It can take up to six pounds of wild fish feed to raise one pound of farmed fish (www.foodandwaterwatch.org).

GET INVOLVED

Write to your state representative to demand policy and legislation for this emerging technology.

Make informed and wise choices when eating and ordering seafood. Remember- sustainable aquaculture is available!