Fish farming is the practice of raising fish in at-sea net pens for human consumption. Large scale fish farming in the open ocean poses similar ecological risks and social and economic impacts as industrial scale food production methods on land.

The United States government is pushing legislation to allow industrial scale fish farming operations in U.S. federal waters from 3-200 miles offshore.  Offshore Facilities may be submerged (such as in picture), floating or attached to fixed structures such as decommissioned oil rigs.

Currently, fish farming is only permitted in state waters in some U.S. states (Washington and Maine for example).

AMCC's position:

AMCC is opposed to farming of finfish species such as halibut, black cod and salmon, because of the ecological risks to healthy, wild fish populations and the social and economic impacts to coastal communities that rely on healthy wild fisheries. 

AMCC supports conservative management of wild fisheries, community-based opportunities for independent fishing families and advanced marketing of healthy, wild seafood products.

Environmental concerns:

• Spread of disease from farmed fish to wild fish, water pollution from feed and waste and escapes of non-native species or genetically modified fish.

• Increased pressure on wild stocks to provide fishmeal and fish oil for carnivorous farmed fish.

Socio-economic concerns:

The development of industrial-scale offshore finfish aquaculture is detrimental to the family fishermen and local economies of historic fishing communities.   - National Farmer's Union Policy Handbook, March 2007

AMCC is working with diverse groups throughout the nation to stop the expansion of finfish farming. Proposed national legislation falls far short of addressing the serious environmental, social and economic concerns surrounding the permitting and regulation of commercial fish farming operations in the open ocean.

See Offshore Aquaculture:  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for detailed answers to questions concerning the proposed legislation, ecological risks, socio-economic concerns and how you can help.