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Catching the Aquaculture Wave
By Michael De Alessi, Project Director: Adrian T. Moore, Ph.D - Reason Foundation - Minor changes to Hawaii’s offshore aquaculture regulatory process would position the state as the national leader in oceanic fish farming and provide a significant boost to the Hawaiian economy, according to a new Reason Foundation study. The Reason study recommends four essential ingredients needed to develop an environmentally and economically sound offshore aquaculture industry in Hawaii.
Executive Summary
The island chain of Hawaii is poised on the leading edge of the development of the legal and technical
frameworks necessary for open-ocean cage fishfarming. One offshore farm is up and running, and
another has all the permits and licenses and is just waiting for the final rounds of financing.
As these
operations and other potential operators mature and grow, and with the right legal and regulatory reforms,
Hawaii has the potential to lead the nation in quality offshore oceanic fish cultivation. This could be a
tremendous boon to both Hawaii’s economy and its general entrepreneurial climate.
Yet many obstacles remain. Despite studies that show no measurable impact to the environment of the
aquaculture already in operation, misplaced fears based on other situations and technologies coupled with a
stifling, extended bureaucratic process that allows individuals to contest the permit process with or without
reasonable cause hampers Hawaii’s chance to develop offshore fishfarming and expand its shrunken
economy. This report explores case studies of fishfarming in Hawaii and how the state could reap economic
benefits while guarding local waters against environmental impact. With a streamlining of its bureaucracy,
Hawaii could soon lead the nation in offshore oceanic fish cultivation, spelling success for its citizens as well
as take pressure off of wild stocks of depleted fish populations. It would also powerfully demonstrate how
human ingenuity, properly channeled through free enterprise, could sustainably feed people and maintain, or
even enhance, a healthy environment.
Contents
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Introduction
A. The Fisheries Problem
B. The Growth of Aquaculture
C. The Environmental Effects of Aquaculture
D. Catching the Aquaculture Wave
Aquaculture in Hawaii
A. Historical precedents for Marine Tenure and Aquaculture in Hawaii
B. The Hawaii Open-Ocean Aquaculture Demonstration Program (HOARP)
c. Leases and Operating Permits for Offshore Aquaculture in Hawaii
Aquaculture Case Studies in Hawaii
Cates International Inc
Kona Blue Water Farms
Ahi Farms Inc
Ahi Nui
Pacific Ocean Ventures
Overcoming Environmental Challenges
Conclusion and Recomendations
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Related Reason Foundation Studies
Endnotes
Source: Reason Public Policy Institute - 9th December 2004
