Florida Industrial Fish Farming;
Comments needed by November 25, 2024

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to issue a modified NPDES permit to Ocean Era, LLC (current permit number FL0A00001). The draft modified NPDES permit authorizes the discharge of industrial wastewater from a marine net-pen aquaculture facility located in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 45 miles southwest of Sarasota, Florida. The facility includes a support vessel and a single cage in a water depth of approximately 130 feet. The project would culture a single cycle of approximately 20,000 Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and produce a maximum annual harvest of 55,000 lbs.

Given that a NPDES permit for this facility was previously issued during 2022, only comments that are related to the revised conditions within the draft modified permit will be considered.

Since the permit has been issued, the area has experienced numerous tropical weather systems, significant storms and extensive red tide outbreaks. ManaSota-88 recommends the EPA rescind their previous permit approval for the Ocean Era, LLC Industrial Fish Farm.

The value of Floridas biologically sensitive areas and endangered and threatened species should not be put at risk for floating fish farms.

We should not risk the productivity of our offshore or estuarine areas, which will ultimately prove to be more important for our future than harmful industrial fish farming.

Existing state and federal regulations do not address the significant damage fish farming has on the environment. There is no reason to believe that the EPA will protect Florida's economy and environment from the potential serious environmental damage associated with industrial fish farming.

Industrial fish farming will place Sarasotas coastal waters, an area of high environmental sensitivity and marine productivity, at risk.

Presently the region supports numerous species of wildlife, major commercial and recreational fisheries, and several species of endangered animals.

The potential to exacerbate red tide blooms by fish farms in our region cannot be ignored.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING COMMENTS:

All submissions for this public comment period must include the Docket ID number (EPA R04-OW-2024-0113). Comments received, including any personal information provided, may be posted without change to www.regulations.gov. You may send comments identified by Docket ID (EPA R04-OW-2024-0113) by any of the following methods:

Federal Portal: Using EPAs portal is our preferred method. Using the Docket ID, follow the online instructions for submitting comments at www.regulations.gov.

Email: Include Docket ID number in the subject line of the email that is sent to a-and-r-docket@epa.gov.

Fax: Send comments to the attention of Docket ID to (202) 566 9744.

Mail: Include Docket ID when mailing to - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, OAR Docket, Mail Code 28221T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460.

Hand Delivery: Using Docket ID, hand deliver to - EPA Docket Center, WJC West Building, Room 3334, 1301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.