Sadly we see here another example of local officials, the City of Venice, who either do not inform themselves of the environmental dangers o simply don’t care about future generations.
That the City simply requests that the permit be studied is a cop-out; those who have the power to support or oppose this permit have the responsibility to inform themselves of the issue. A simple one-hour search on Google will give plenty of reasons to reject this type of unnecessary industry which puts the public waters at risk. To rely on a “study” by people or agencies granting or receiving the permit is neglect of one’s duties. Aquaculture is like mining– not “if” but “when” will the accident happen.
Even worse here we see Mote Marine, an agency which receives tax-payer money, both state and federal, is partnering with the aquaculture company. Mote Marine has not taken a leadership role in solving Florida’s water problems and has been criticized by environmentalists for controversial ties with Mosaic and downplaying human related influences on red tide.
Nothing new here, just the same tired old “exploit-our-resources-for-profit” mindset, and “disregard-any-consequences.”
Read the original article with photos here in the Herald-Tribune.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Earle KimelJune 20, 2022
The Environmental Protection Agency had withheld final approval for the Ocean Era project pending clarification of whether discharges of waste generated by the fish would degrade the water.
The project, which would see about 20,000 Almaco jack fish raised in a net pen 45 miles offshore from Sarasota County between Venice and Englewood, requires an EPA permit because the water that flows through the net pen is considered to be “define e,” and so the nutrient levels will need to be monitored.
Earlier: Venice urges EPA to study aquaculture permit closely
Don’t Cage Our Oceans, a coalition of organizations that has opposed the Ocean Era project since it was first proposed in 2019, refers to the waste the fish produce as “untreated industrial wastewater.”
“I think it matters how you characterize the antibiotics and the raw sewage that comes from the fish,” said Marianne Cufone, an environmental attorney who is also executive director of the Recirculating Farms Coalition. “Remember, it’s also intensified as it is a unit of fish that wouldn’t normally be found together in the wild.
Cufone said the coalition is still deciding whether to challenge the permit in federal court. The 120-day window to do so started on June 8.
The coalition also has issued a public appeal for President Joe Biden to repeal Executive Order 13921, issued in May 2020 by then President Donald Trump, that is designed in part to promote aquaculture projects in U.S. waters. And it continues to lobby Congress to pass the Keep Finfish Free Act.
Local officials raise concerns
One of the main issues was the potential impact the concentration of fish waste could have on red tide.
Local governments – notably the cities of Holmes Beach and Sarasota – took positions against the proposed project.
Mote will provide fingerling Almaco jack spawned and raised at its land-based Mote Aquaculture Research Park to Ocean Era and partner with the company on water monitoring….
