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Alaskan Congressman Don Youngtoday introduced legislation that would prohibit the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Commerce from authorizing commercial finfish aquaculture operations in the federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) unless specifically authorized by Congress.

“If not properly managed, farmed fish can be a significant threat to the health of Alaska’s wild stocks and the health of our oceans,” Rep. Young said.  “Alaska’s seafood industry is one of the largest employers in the state, and today’s legislation will  preserve Congress’ prerogative to determine what type of aquaculture programs should and should not be conducted in our waters and those adjacent to our waters.” 

Congress has never authorized open ocean aquaculture or provided a legislative framework for managing finfish farms in the EEZ.

This legislation has not yet been assigned a bill number.