{"id":34929,"date":"2018-08-31T17:23:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-01T00:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spijue.wpengine.com\/news\/alaskans-worried-by-prospect-of-deep-sea-fish-farms\/"},"modified":"2018-09-06T13:03:58","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T20:03:58","slug":"alaskans-worried-by-prospect-of-deep-sea-fish-farms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.juneauempire.com\/home\/alaskans-worried-by-prospect-of-deep-sea-fish-farms\/","title":{"rendered":"Alaskans worried by prospect of deep-sea fish farms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a Centennial Hall listening session, Alaskans raised concerns about federal plans to boost open-ocean fish farms under a new strategic plan for the U.S. Department of <\/a>Commerce<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On Friday afternoon, Tim Gallaudet, acting undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, hosted a listening session at the end of a weeklong gathering of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts in Juneau<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce, and Gallaudet is among the figures hosting meetings across the country as part of the process that creates the strategic plan.<\/p>\n

In a speech opening the listening session, Gallaudet said the strategic plan is an “initiative to grow the American ‘blue economy.’” <\/p>\n

That phrase is used as an umbrella term that includes fisheries, oceanic tourism and other aspects of the national economy that relate to the oceans.<\/p>\n

Gallaudet echoed the familiar refrains of the Trump Administration, saying the department is interested in deregulation and “reducing the seafood trade deficit.”<\/p>\n

President Donald Trump’s trade war<\/a> with China has resulted in Chinese tariffs on Alaska seafood exported to that country, and American tariffs on processed Alaska seafood products imported from China.<\/p>\n

“There’s some growing pains, but it’s about a free, fair and reciprocal trade policy,” Gallaudet said.<\/p>\n

Several invited panelists gently prodded Gallaudet, and by extension the Trump Administration, to stabilize trade issues.<\/p>\n

Among members of the public who offered their opinions, the issue of aquaculture was paramount. One of the goals within the strategic plan is “increase aquaculture production.”<\/p>\n

”We will help it grow faster by reducing regulatory burden and driving aquaculture research,” the plan states.<\/p>\n

“A strong U.S. marine aquaculture industry will serve a key role in U.S. food security and improve our trade balance with other nations.”<\/p>\n

Alaska bans fish farms, but its jurisdiction extends only to waters 3 miles offshore. Beyond that limit is federal waters, and the state ban does not apply.<\/p>\n

“We are very concerned about the aquaculture activities,” said Frances Leach, director of the United Fishermen of Alaska and a member of the invited panel Friday.<\/p>\n

She went on to ask Gallaudet that any National Marine Fisheries Service guidelines in that area allow an opt-out clause.<\/p>\n

Chris Oliver, assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries<\/a> and former director of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, said concerns about aquaculture are somewhat misplaced.<\/p>\n

“In terms of finfish, I think we’re talking about very contained operations, as opposed to hatchery operations,” he said.<\/p>\n

That didn’t assuage the audience, which repeatedly expressed concerns about the idea that NOAA could allow deep-sea fish farms off Alaska’s coast.<\/p>\n

“We already see kind of the questionable outcomes fish hatcheries have had,” said Kristine Trott, a member of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Juneau-Douglas advisory committee.<\/p>\n

Don Habeger, a candidate for the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, asked Gallaudet if he would commit to shifting Alaska Fisheries Science Center staff from Washington state to Alaska, a long-held dream of Juneau residents.<\/p>\n

“I cannot commit to a specified increase in employment anywhere,” Gallaudet replied.<\/p>\n

Other speakers urged Gallaudet to take action that will help Alaska fisheries deal with the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification.<\/p>\n

“I would encourage you to invest in science,” said Michael LeVine, senior Arctic fellow for the Ocean Conservancy.<\/p>\n

\n

\u2022 Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.<\/b><\/p>\n

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