Here’s an example of the problem as I see it: Congresswoman Lois Capps of the 23rd District of California is moving forward with legislation to open up federal waters to ocean fish farming. I don’t believe the industry has gotten to the point where we can give it a green light like this. Will aquaculture “get sustainable” one day? After speaking to you, I feel it will; but there are still many questions that need to be answered.

I’m not out to get the industry—I’m out to improve it by making it tough for the ones who try to cut corners to succeed in doing so. Does that make any sense?

I take serious issue with the nature in which you ‘drastically’ alter my statements.

As an example in your last post referring to myself -’he makes the argument that cattle ranching is sustainable’.

This is a total fabrication and I have never posted this viewpoint or statement, very disappointing Andy.

If you are interested in saving the oceans you must stick to looking at the fundamental problems and not focus on trying to ‘pigeon hole’ me so you can write me off as having an agenda and disregard my serious points.

I still think you need to search more widely to put up your arguments ‘robustly’.
You seem to be using a ‘raft’ of unsubstantiated reports to support an overall desire to see that any ‘commercial’ aquaculture venture is a bad one. Again, you have to start with the facts first before the agenda or you will construct a line of halve truths to paint a picture you want to see.

1. Yes farming carnivorous fish is at this point ‘unsustainable’. However, taking them from the sea is even more unsustainable as a fish in the wild require far more protein to attain adult size due to the energy required to find the fish. Protein supplements are used in feeding some carnivorous fish (soya, etc) and there will hopefully be the option to use entirely sustainable feeds in the future.

2.Bivalve culture (mussels, oysters, etc) is not an alternative to the farming of carnivorous fish. Human beings require EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to convert into eicosanoids. If you can suggest an alternative source of these Omega 3 fatty acids I am all ears.

3.I am not blurring any lines. Aquaculture is obviously an ‘inter linked’ discipline (one you need to look into further before being able to criticise in the the manner that you do). For example, developments in shrimp farming technology have meant that developed (high-tech) forms of aquaculture have produced ‘SPF’ (Specific Pathogen Free) stocks of shrimp that do not spread disease in areas that farming can only be done ‘extensively’ without bio-security (one example of thousands!). So here the 2 forms of aquaculture are connected and mutually beneficial. – on the point of Tuna farming, yes it is a lucrative business, but is that a good reason to discredit it? and I agree that ‘Tuna farming is not feeding starving people in China’ but what is the relevance of that statement???

4. Your point where you say I make an ‘egregious error’ in comparing terrestrial based farming and aquaculture because there is little or no transmission of disease between wild and domesticated animals on land because of ‘fences’ well I’m afraid this is a very badly chosen point.
Yes I will concede that there have been lice infestations on certain salmon farms that have infected wild populations which is of course very bad practice and I will unite with you on that point. BUT! you must be aware that terrestrial animals are susceptible to cross infections from farm animals!!?? There have been numerous cases of wild and domesticated animals having huge impacts on each other through disease. This is well documented through the last century though it does not justify the same happening with aquaculture projects but it does disprove your line of argument.

5.I think you have to compare like for like. There is no ‘common ground’ for aquaculture or education investment. Education is very important, probably THE most important thing for a nation. But you need money to pay for it. This comes from taxes. Taxes come from industry. Aquaculture is an industry. I dont think it is a matter of having one or the other so I do not agree with this line of discussion.

6.I think I touched on this point in my previous post. I will reiterate that you have misrepresented me and created an argument to suggest that I believe ‘cattle ranching is sustainable’. – please explain where you got this from?

7. Contrary to your suggestion of me ‘covering the problem up’ I think that I am in fact tackling it head on! I am involved in the industry trying to develop sustainable and efficient methods of culturing fish so we may leave the wild populations to recover. I do not see any ‘tangible’ suggestions coming from you to help our problems?? I have provided evidence, facts, supported by reputable sources (U.N.) and criticised and commended where I see the logic of aquaculture to present a nonpartisan and balanced argument.

I think it is your turn to respond with ’substance’ to your views and please do not misquote or misrepresent me.
What is your goal? to oppose any large scale aquaculture development whether they are actually helping the ocean or not??

regards

Chris