The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Lauren Wright, lwright(at)fwwatch, 202 683-4929

Hawai`i Introduces Critical Legislation to Protect State Waters from Destructive Factory Fish Farming Operations

Statement by Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food & Water Watch

WASHINGTON

"On Monday, The Hawai`i State Legislature introduced two significant
bills: one to stop the reckless expansion of factory fish farms
operating in the state's pristine coastal waters (HB221) and another to
require fish farming corporations to conduct and submit a full analysis
of the environmental, socio-economic and cultural impact of their
businesses (SB626)."

"Ocean fish farming, the mass production of fish in floating pens or
cages in ocean waters, is associated with many well-documented
ecological problems - water pollution, spread of diseases and parasites,
interference with marine mammals and more. Unrestricted, industry
production in HI is set to increase by over 900 percent by 2015."

" Food & Water Watch applauds Representatives Mele Carroll (D-13)
and Faye Hanohano (D-4) for taking a firm stance against the expansion
of ocean factory farms and for recognizing the toll this highly
subsidized industry has taken on both state taxpayers and on the ocean
ecosystem."

"In addition, we commend State Senators Pohai Ryan (D-25) and Suzanne
Chun Oakland (D-13) for introducing legislation (SB626) to hold fish
farming corporations accountable by requiring they submit environmental
impact statements. The popular bill, which already has broad Senate
support with eight cosponsors, would finally close the loophole allowing
offshore aquaculture operators to obtain permits without this thorough
review."

For more information on the negative impact of fish farming in HI, see Food & Water Watch's 2010 report, The Empty Promise of Ocean Aquaculture in Hawaii.

Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.

(202) 683-2500