How effective are the policies and regulations that govern aquaculture?
Not very. The regulations affecting aquaculture are complex and fragmentedthere is no comprehensive oversight of the industry. In the United States a number of state laws, federal statutes, executive orders, and international treaties apply to various environmental aspects of commercial aquaculture, but not all of them are adequate, and many provide fragmented coveragefocusing only on isolated aspects of the environmental impact of aquaculture. For example, the Clean Water Act has not been applied to aquaculture operations, despite the fact that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal waste coming from fish farms are extremely harmful to the surrounding area. The Army Corps of Engineers grants permits for aquaculture sites on a case-by-case basis under the Rivers and Harbors Act, but that act lacks clear environmental standards.
Not very. The regulations affecting aquaculture are complex and fragmented there is no comprehensive oversight of the industry. In the United States a number of state laws, federal statutes, executive orders, and international treaties apply to various environmental aspects of commercial aquaculture, but not all of them are adequate, and many provide fragmented coverage focusing only on isolated aspects of the environmental impact of aquaculture. For example, the Clean Water Act has not been applied to aquaculture operations, despite the fact that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and fecal waste coming from fish farms are extremely harmful to the surrounding area. The Army Corps of Engineers grants permits for aquaculture sites on a case-by-case basis under the Rivers and Harbors Act, but that act lacks clear environmental standards.
