With demand for seafood expected to increase rapidly, the Bush Administration is seeking to allow aquaculture operations in federal marine waters.
Currently, fish farming in the U.S. focuses largely on freshwater fish such as catfish, with just a few "ocean farms" raising mussels, clams, oysters, shrimp and salmon.
A bill being sent to Congress would permit fish farming up to 200 miles off the nation's coasts. The operations would be regulated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a part of the Commerce Department. The administrator of NOAA says, "Our goal is to develop a sustainable aquaculture program that balances the needs of fishermen, coastal residents and visitors, seafood consumers, the environment and the aquaculture industry."