Penned fish farms have drawn opposition. (Center for Michigan Photo) HOLY CATFISH! Anglers Fear AuSable Fish Farm, Aquaculture Push
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A confrontation over the future of fish farming is rising to the surface in Michigan.
Tom Baird of the group Anglers of the Au Sable, is pushing for tighter regulations on the proposed expansion of a commercial fish hatchery in Grayling.
Baird says Governor Snyder has made it clear that Michigan will increase its use of natural resources to create jobs and he fears that the governor will use his influence to allow the expansion.
"And that has included hard rock mining, oil and gas production, forestry and, now, rivers and streams and lakes for aquaculture purposes," says Baird.
In fact, the Sea Grant report on aquaculture includes a nod to Governor Snyder. The conclusion calls the expansion of the industry an opportunity for "relentless positive action."
Another opposition leader is Republican Sen. Rick Jones, of Grand Ledge, who has introduced legislation to ban commercial fish farming in the Great Lakes, said:
"In Michigan, legislators have a Constitutional duty to protect our Great Lakes," said Jones. "By allowing commercial fish farming we can say goodbye to our Pure Michigan status and hello to an undrinkable Toledo water supply."
Jones said commercial fish farms in the Great Lakes are all risk and no reward. These are proven sources of pollution, invasive species, disease, and fugitive fish escaping to wreak havoc on our Great Lakes fisheries.
Caged fish culture was developed to produce thousands of fish with the purpose to sell as food. These factory fish farms are floating nets placed in waterways and are huge threats to the existing ecosystem.
"Concentrated fish poo is just not Pure Michigan," Jones said. "A typical 200,000-fish operation creates as much waste as a city of 65,000 people, which would make the Great Lakes a giant toilet bowl."
Only Canada is currently allowing aquaculture in the Great Lakes, and they are now trying to get out of the business, according to a report released by the Senate Republican Caucus. Ontario is the only jurisdiction to allow fish farms on the Great Lakes and there has not been a new farming permit issued in nearly 20 years.
Fish waste contains phosphorus, which is beneficial for ecosystems in minimal amounts. However, a concentrated amount of phosphorous, found in fish farms, can cause widespread algae blooms like the one that devastated Lake Erie. Algae blooms are steadily becoming more common throughout the Lakes. An algae bloom led to the undrinkable water supply in Toledo.
"The waste in a commercial fish farm would stay where Michigan families enjoy swimming, boating, fishing and paddling," Jones said. "Unlike ocean fish farms, where tides flush away the waste, it will stay in the coastal region of the Great Lakes."
Senate Bill 526, introduced by Jones and supported by Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Trout Unlimited and Michigan Environmental Council, has been referred to the Senate committee on Agriculture. ###
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