EPA Agreement To Cut Pollution From Fish Farms

“EPA’s action is good news for US waterways,” said Environmental Defense senior scientist Dr. Rebecca Goldburg. “Most fish farms are feedlots that produce large quantities of wastewater laden with fish feces and uneaten fish feed. In some states, many large aquaculture operations are now virtually unregulated, and large quantities of untreated fish wastes are regularly discharged into waterways. The establishment of effluent limitation guidelines should end such noxious practices.”

The agreement is the result of a lawsuit by NRDC against EPA for failing to adequately implement the Clean Water Act. Under the terms of the settlement, EPA must establish effluent limitations guidelines - essentially discharge standards for individual industries - in a timely manner.

“As a result of NRDC’s suit, EPA is already developing effluent limitations guidelines for terrestrial feedlots, such as poultry and swine production facilities,” said NRDC attorney Nancy Stoner. “It makes perfect sense to also establish guidelines for aquatic feedlots.”

“Under the agreement, EPA must consider potential pollution from nutrients, suspended solids, disease-causing bacteria, antibiotics, pesticides, and the introduction of non-native species in developing the aquaculture guidelines,” said Stoner. “Moreover, EPA must propose the guidelines by June 30, 2002.”