Ocean Stewards Institute formed

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk Open ocean aquaculture, seafood trade and supporting industries are invited to apply for full membership. Affiliate membership is offered to interested individuals and parties in government agencies, academia, NGOs and the media. The creation of OSI is a reflection of the anticipated increase in offshore aquaculture activities in US waters. In a press release The Ocean Stewards Institute describes its mission to represent and work towards the best use and management of the open oceans. In order to meet the increasing demand for healthful seafood, the OSI will promote appropriate balancing of the expansion of environmentally sound open ocean aquaculture, with the protection of open ocean resources and habitats. “A key goal of the Ocean Stewards Institute is to provide leadership in setting standards of sustainability, humane treatment and healthfulness of products from open ocean fish farms. This would enable us to meet the expectations of the community and the consumer about our operations within the public domain.” Additional goals of the OSI include: · Industry representation in testimony on the Offshore Aquaculture Bill, to encourage rational, considered development of open ocean aquaculture in Federal waters. · Advocating for increased offshore aquaculture research funding and development assistance on the Federal level. · Working with Federal agencies and environmental organizations to set standards for certification of sustainability. · Establishing a forum for consideration of industry-related issues such as diving standards, and insurance, and providing access to information on equipment and products. · Providing input to other planned developments or uses of open marine waters. Founding Board members include Anthony Sims, President of Kona Blue Water Farms, Brian O’Hanlon, of Snapperfarms, Inc., Langley Gace, of OceanSpar, LLC, from Bainbridge Island, Washington State, and Chris Beattie, from Skretting, Canada. The inclusion of a net pen engineering firm, and an international feed manufacturing company, reflects the vertical support industries involved in offshore aquaculture. OSI will initially focus on the Americas, but over time also draw from a broad geographical range, according to the press release. Caption: “We can speak for the ocean, in the same way that a conscientious farmer can speak for the land,” said Neil Anthony Sims, President, Kona Blue Water Farms and Founding Board Member of OSI Steering Committee. Photo: Kona Kampachi