New panel to explore commercial net-pen aquaculture in Great Lakes

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2015

Contact: Tammy Newcomb, DNR senior water policy advisor, 517-284-5832


New scientific panel to examine effects of commercial net-pen aquaculture
on the Great Lakes

State natural resource, agriculture and environment leaders today announced the appointment of a scientific advisory panel to evaluate proposals to allow commercial net-pen aquaculture in Michigan’s Great Lakes waters.

Net-pen aquaculture is named for the offshore floating enclosures (usually located off coastlines) capable of raising large numbers of fish. These operations take small fish from a hatchery and raise them to a harvestable size for the consumer food market.

Currently, the only commercial aquaculture net pens in the Great Lakes are located in the Ontario waters of Lake Huron in the North Channel and in Georgian Bay. The state departments of Environmental Quality, Natural Resources, and Agriculture and Rural Development are working jointly to review the concept and make a policy recommendation to Gov. Rick Snyder. In addition to the work of this scientific advisory panel, the state will analyze the economic and legal implications of net-pen aquaculture in Michigan to provide a comprehensive review.

“The proposal to allow this activity in Michigan waters raises many questions about protecting the Great Lakes’ ecology and our fisheries,” said DEQ Director Dan Wyant. “We take seriously our charge to protect Michigan’s natural resources. These panelists were selected on the basis of their expertise in many key areas, and we look forward to their help considering some critical issues.”

Panelists include:

• Dr. Eric Anderson, NOAA, Great Lakes Ecological Laboratory, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Dr. John Dettmers, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Dr. Jim Diana, Michigan Sea Grant director and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Keith McCormack, P.E., vice president, Hubbell, Roth and Clark, Detroit.
• Dr. James Morris, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Coastal Aquaculture Planning & Environmental Sustainability, Beaufort, North Carolina.
• Dr. David Scarfe, OVA-CAP Veterinary & Consulting Services / Aquatic Veterinary Associates, Bartlett, Illinois.
• Dr. Roy Stein, professor emeritus, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. (chair)
• Dr. Craig Stow, NOAA, Great Lakes Ecological Laboratory, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The volunteer panelists have agreed to objectively assess the scientific information surrounding the issue of commercial aquaculture net pens in the Great Lakes. Dr. Stein will serve as chair of the panel, which expects to deliver a findings report in October 2015 to the DNR, DEQ and MDARD directors.

The panel will work independently and seek information and input from other scientists as needed.

“It’s important that Michigan looks at the issue of commercial net pens with a critical, deliberate eye, given the wide range of issues and interests affected,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “We want to have a firm understanding about the impact of aquaculture net pens on water quality, health of fish populations, and the Great Lakes ecosystem – things that greatly influence quality of life for residents in the Great Lakes region.”

MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams described aquaculture as an “important industry” in Michigan, but agreed it’s one to be thoughtfully studied and evaluated.

“While closed or recirculating systems or flow-through facilities are well supported, this new approach to raising fish in the U.S. waters of the Great Lakes will need to be carefully considered.”

In late June, there will be an opportunity for the public to provide input to the panel regarding commercial net-pen aquaculture issues and information. The three agencies will host a stakeholder workshop this fall for the purposes of reviewing the information and providing comment and input toward the development of any future policies to govern this activity in the Great Lakes.