differences result from site specific conditions which determine such things as line
geometry, mooring tensions, stocking density, rope spacing, seeding, harvesting
and adjustment of buoyancy. The difficulty of perfecting each of these operations
increases with exposure to open ocean conditions and it is likely that they would be
further complicated by the need to integrate with the operational needs of a wind
farm which are by their nature windy places.
Co-location of suspended culture offshore mussel farms with wind farm structures seems unlikely to be a viable option for mussel farmers in the UK under
current economic conditions and would only seem to be likely if there was a
regulatory imperative. This would need to be in the form of a compulsion, such as
no development being allowed other than in wind farms, or in the form of an
incentive such as development and operating costs being subsidized or long term
price guarantees being given for product, as is the case for wind farm developers.
9.4 Recommendations for Developing
a Regulatory System
Based on the review of seafood and energy trends, the status of standalone and
co-located aquaculture and the Case Study experiences, recommendations are
offered for consideration by countries, nation-states and local governments that
have or want to establish a supportive regulatory system for developing commercial
open ocean aquaculture. It is important to note in considering these recommendations that moving aquaculture into open ocean environments is in the early stages
and initial approaches to regulation will evolve as technology improves and
industry experience is gained.
9.4.1 Planning a Regulatory System
• Government aquaculture plans and policies should include exploration and
encouragement of commercial-scale standalone and co-located with ocean
energy production aquaculture farming in nearshore and open ocean locations.
Successful plans, policies and regulation of nearshore projects can eventually
lead to open ocean developments.
• While suitable species and technologies are evident for open ocean farming in
some countries, the emerging interest in moving further offshore needs greater
emphasis and encouragement through increased investment in research, development and commercial-scale demonstration projects (R, D, & D). Ultimately,
government sponsored R, D, &D should foster engagement of the private sector
to innovate and expand open ocean aquaculture, e.g., provide financial incentives to encourage private investment.
9 Regulation and Permitting of Standalone …
223
geometry, mooring tensions, stocking density, rope spacing, seeding, harvesting
and adjustment of buoyancy. The difficulty of perfecting each of these operations
increases with exposure to open ocean conditions and it is likely that they would be
further complicated by the need to integrate with the operational needs of a wind
farm which are by their nature windy places.
Co-location of suspended culture offshore mussel farms with wind farm structures seems unlikely to be a viable option for mussel farmers in the UK under
current economic conditions and would only seem to be likely if there was a
regulatory imperative. This would need to be in the form of a compulsion, such as
no development being allowed other than in wind farms, or in the form of an
incentive such as development and operating costs being subsidized or long term
price guarantees being given for product, as is the case for wind farm developers.
9.4 Recommendations for Developing
a Regulatory System
Based on the review of seafood and energy trends, the status of standalone and
co-located aquaculture and the Case Study experiences, recommendations are
offered for consideration by countries, nation-states and local governments that
have or want to establish a supportive regulatory system for developing commercial
open ocean aquaculture. It is important to note in considering these recommendations that moving aquaculture into open ocean environments is in the early stages
and initial approaches to regulation will evolve as technology improves and
industry experience is gained.
9.4.1 Planning a Regulatory System
• Government aquaculture plans and policies should include exploration and
encouragement of commercial-scale standalone and co-located with ocean
energy production aquaculture farming in nearshore and open ocean locations.
Successful plans, policies and regulation of nearshore projects can eventually
lead to open ocean developments.
• While suitable species and technologies are evident for open ocean farming in
some countries, the emerging interest in moving further offshore needs greater
emphasis and encouragement through increased investment in research, development and commercial-scale demonstration projects (R, D, & D). Ultimately,
government sponsored R, D, &D should foster engagement of the private sector
to innovate and expand open ocean aquaculture, e.g., provide financial incentives to encourage private investment.
9 Regulation and Permitting of Standalone …
223