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Sunday, June 3, 2001 Aquaculture's growth needs closer scrutinyNews-Journal editorial Years ago, visionaries heralded aquaculture -- the farming of fish and aquatic plants -- as a way of curbing world hunger and re-invigorating the ocean's natural fisheries. Aquaculture still holds promise as a valuable source of food for hunger-stricken nations, but it also has proven messier for the environment than first expected. One of the biggest and most demoralizing surprises: Raising carnivorous fish that are popular for food can actually deplete natural fisheries, because the farms require so much wild-caught fish to feed their stocks. On other fronts, effluent flowing from some aquaculture farms have polluted waterways, while exotic fish routinely escape into the wild, driving out native species or introducing new fish diseases. Unregulated construction of farms also has led to natural habitat destruction, especially mangroves, in some countries. Mercifully, Florida -- the third largest aquaculture producer in the nation behind Mississippi and Arkansas -- has avoided many of those problems. At least so far. If the industry's rapid growth continues without stricter guidance, the state will find itself with many of the same environmental debacles that have afflicted other places around the world. In 1987, Florida aquaculture sales were worth slightly more than $30 million, but that figure will surpass $120 million in four years, according to state projections. Local businesses have and will continue to play a big role in the industry's growth. Only eight other counties have as many or more aquaculture operations than Volusia County. Fortunately, many of Volusia's 21 local farms raise clams, a product that poses few environmental hazards. Statewide, the most common product is tropical fish, some of which are grown in tanks and also produce few direct threats to natural waterways. But the state expects food fish production to increase by 15 percent -- much of which could be carnivorous fish, such as salmon, that depend on wild-caught fish. Despite recent changes initiated by the Department of Agriculture, Florida does not have the regulatory framework in place needed to cope with growth of that kind of development. An industry-oriented report published last year by the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society listed Florida as one of the most regulatory permissive states in the nation. The laws that do exist need improvement. One places all control over aquaculture certification into the hands of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As part of that change, the Department of Environmental Protection cannot prosecute certified farmers who are polluting or force violators to pay for the damage they've caused. Such flimsy rules open the door for widespread pollution that the public ultimately will have to pay to clean up. Florida also lacks sufficient regulations on the transport of fish -- which if spilled can corrupt native ecosystems. Further, the state should restrict the handling of genetically modified fish. One other trend that local leaders in particular should watch is the demand for new clam beds along the shoreline. As the number of new sites for clam farms become more scarce, industry leaders undoubtedly will pressure lawmakers to make more available, destroying natural habitat. Aquaculture needn't be so destructive. It's an enterprise that offers valuable products and one that the state should support. With proper oversight, Florida can encourage growth of the industry without simultaneously becoming a victim of its success. |
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