Fish Farms legislation faces opposition

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The Michigan House Agriculture Committee heard discussions last Wednesday concerning three bills that would allow farm raised fish in pens in the Great Lakes. Some have been concerns that raising fish in pens would create high levels of nutrients in the water. State Representative Dan Lauwers, Chair of the committee, says all the science on the matter should be reviewed to look at the reasons and science behind all of this. Lauwers says aquaculture is already happening in the Great Lakes, Canada and around the world, and that he wants to make sure Michigan is not missing an opportunity for greater food production in our state. However, some environmental groups; such as the Michigan Environmental Council oppose the legislation. A poll released last week by Lansing based Epic MRA shows that 70% of Michigan residents oppose commercial net-pen fish farms in Michigan waters. The state also reports that the proposed fish farms would produce at most 44 jobs. Recreational fishing in Michigan alone supports some 38,000 jobs that commercial aquaculture would put at risk.