Posted January 27, 2020

The Public Hearing for the Kampachi FishFarms, LLC proposal to test fish farming using twenty thousand Almaco Jack (native Gulf) fish, suspended in a cage in the Gulf of Mexico will be held on Jan 28 starting at 5:30 pm at the MoteMarine Laboratory WAVE Center, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. 

This test is a first in our Gulf waters and could potentially open the way for many more fish farms in the Gulf and Federal waters. The Kampachi research project will be done over a period of one year.  MOTE Marine has committed to raising ‘fingerlings’ or small fish to be raised in the project.

Fish farming will release waste byproducts from the feeding, medicines, and excretions into our coastal waters. While the researchers must apply to the EPA for a “Discharge Permit”; concerns include waste byproducts that may provide ‘fuel’ for devastating red tide outbreaks. The State of Florida declared a GOAL of preventing another catastrophic red tide bloom in our gulf waters. What assurance is there fish farms won’t contribute to a future of catastrophic red tide blooms? 

We encourage your review of a submitted letter from Justin Bloom, Suncoast Waterkeepers

For those that are concerned that cannot attend the EPA hearing or those that would like to register their complaints, consider sending an email with comments to the EPA before the Feb. 4, the closing date for feedback to R4NPDES.Kampachi@epa.gov.