US proposal to use oil and gas rigs for offshore fish farming
USA: The US Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) today published a proposed rule that will regulate alternative energy production activities and alternate uses of existing facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Alternate uses of existing facilities may include aquaculture, research, education, recreation or support for offshore operations and facilities.
The proposed rule is accompanied by a draft environmental assessment analyzing the potential environmental effects of the rulemaking in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.
The proposed regulations will establish a program to grant leases, easements, and rights-of-way (ROW) for orderly, safe, and environmentally responsible alternative energy project activities and alternate uses of existing facilities on the OCS. The rule will also establish methods for sharing revenues generated by this program with nearby coastal States.
Opponents of the proposed activities call today's action a "Bush administration end-run around Congress". In an article on CommonDreams.org Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter said that "The Bush administration's proposal provides back-door access to our oceans for industrialized fish farms." What's more, it allows energy companies to sell their oil and gas rigs rather than restoring the marine environment."
