DCO2 Comments on the Transboundary Permit Request

James MitchellLetters, Resources

At issue is whether Cooke Aquaculture, a Canadian farmed salmon company with a poor track record of environmental stewardship and social responsibility, should be granted a permit to transship farmed salmon from the state of Maine to Canada (for processing), using Canadian-flagged vessels. NMFS has published this opportunity for public review and to comment on this proposal. The application for …

100 DEGREE WATERS AND CORAL BLEACHING – DO WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE THINGS WORSE?

James Mitchellblog, latest

July saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, with a “marine heat wave” in Florida making national headlines by recording ocean water temperatures exceeding 100℉. Climate change – exacerbated by astounding levels of corporate greed – continues to push the Earth’s life support systems and ability to maintain balance to the limits. And often, the ocean bears the brunt …

Big Aqua Looking for Big Bucks in US Appropriations

James Mitchellblog, latest

Offshore fish farm lobbyists are putting their profits above the wellbeing of coastal communities and the oceans by infiltrating the Congressional Appropriations process and the Senate Committee in charge of allocating federal money for various programs. Their influence is obvious in the Senate Subcommittee language that advises how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) should spend its money. In …

Marine mammals won’t survive offshore fish farming

James Mitchellblog, latest

According to CBS News, hundreds of sea lions and dolphins are turning up dead along the southern California coast. Experts believe that a harmful algal bloom is to blame, as the particular algae strain – Pseudo-nitzschia – creates a neurotoxin known as domoic acid.

Corporations contaminated our nation’s freshwater fish. We can’t let our oceans be wrecked too.

James Mitchellblog, latest

Last week, a study revealed that eating just one freshwater fish caught in a river or lake in the U.S. is the equivalent of drinking a month’s worth of water contaminated with toxic “forever chemicals” (also known as PFAS). This is a terrible revelation to all who fish for sustenance or recreation in our nation’s rivers and lakes. In fact, …

NOAA’s 2022 grants demonstrate its ongoing loyalty to the factory fish farming industry

James Mitchellblog

NOAA is seeking public comment on how it spends money to support aquaculture programs, and you can let them know how you feel about it! While the agency funds a variety of aquaculture projects through its NOAA Sea Grant program, Saltonstall-Kennedy (S-K) program, and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, these programs run the spectrum between somewhat beneficial to downright …

Revolving door

NOAA Scientist now Working Directly for Offshore Aquaculture Company

James Mitchellblog, Events, latest

It seems like the revolving door just doesn’t stop spinning. Only last week we noted how the lobbyist for big aquaculture trade organization Stronger America through Seafood left to join its key member corporation Cargill as its DC lobbyist. And now we learn that a scientist who up until recently advised NOAA’s aquaculture department is now directly working with the …

Don’t Bet on Offshore Finfish Farming

James Mitchellblog, Events, latest

March Madness is upon us, and perhaps you are checking your bracket feverishly, with an eye toward this Saturday’s Final Four either making or breaking your odds of winning. Or maybe you picked the Kentucky Wildcats to win the whole thing and your bracket broke on the first day of the tournament. Not that I um, did that or anything. …