MISSION STATEMENT

The Route to the Development of Socially, Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture

In the past, there have been proposals for siting offshore aquaculture in a number of states bordering the Gulf of Mexico. However, in all cases, there was no primary scientific data for best site locations, cage and mooring designs, species, culture operations and potential environmental effects prior to full-scale commercial trials. In addition, very little research was conducted with respect to candidate species' behavior and growth, and environmental impacts of an offshore cage at commercial stocking densities. Lack of planning and scientific evaluations of engineering, site specificity, environmental and ecological interactions, and fish behavior under differing oceanographic regimes introduces significant risks to both the environment and to industry proposing offshore aquaculture with the available indigenous species in the Gulf of Mexico.

In February of 2000, the Sea Grant Gulf of Mexico Offshore Aquaculture Consortium was formed to create a collaborative, Gulf-wide, university-based interdisciplinary research program that will address social, environmental and technological issues that have plagued offshore aquaculture endeavors in the Gulf of Mexico. By developing university/industry partnerships and seeking broad public/commercial input, the Consortium's goal is to develop socially and environmentally acceptable offshore aquaculture models that are appropriate to all stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico region.

We contend that research on engineering, fish behavior, environmental impacts, and the legal and regulatory structure, using the best available cage technology are the appropriate first steps to initiate offshore aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico.

For more information contact: bridgerc@onid.orst.edu