February 5, 2016

Questions over Gulf of Mexico fish farming

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Gulf & South Atlantic

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New Orleans Public Radio

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Most of the fish we eat in the U.S. comes from other countries. Fishermen in Louisiana have long sought to displace some of those imports but the industry has faced challenges like hurricanes and the 2010 BP oil spill.

Now, a new source of fish in the gulf offers promise -- but also raises questions.

For the first time, the Gulf of Mexico is open for fish farming.

Companies can apply for permits through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. Then they can install floating fish cages -- like those already in place in state waters off the coasts of Maine, Washington and Hawaii.

Read the full story at New Orleans Public Radio >>