Promise and Challenges of Open-Ocean Aquaculture
Rhonda Moniz
December 2, 2011
With demand for seafood tripling by 2025 according to the Department of Commerce, and fishing stock exploited or overly exploited in some species, an eye is turning toward open-ocean aquaculture. Open-ocean aquaculture involves the rearing of marine organisms in exposed areas beyond coastal influence. Due to open-ocean currents, winds and wave action, excess feed and waste can be naturally removed maintaining water quality. And offshore farming does not conflict with recreational use. Some researchers are concerned with the ecological and environmental impact including the impacts on existing wild populations. Natural stocks could be threatened by disease outbreaks that are commonly associated with high-density fish farms.