• Ocean wind farms in open ocean environments are the best near-term opportunity for significant future co-location of aquaculture production. In particular,
planned location of wind farms off major port cities, would also convey market
advantages to aquaculture. However, the mutual benefits of co-location need to
be successfully demonstrated.
• Government should incorporate long-term aquaculture and ocean energy
development and site identification objectives and capabilities into emerging
Marine Spatial Planning Programs. For example, both the United Kingdom and
the U.S. are increasing efforts in this area (UKL 2014; NOC 2014).
• Government should examine the advantages and disadvantages of regulating
open ocean aquaculture on a regional basis verses a nationwide, state or local
basis.
• Government should give consideration to encouraging co-location of aquaculture with other activities that benefit society and the nearby communities; for
example reconstructed oyster reefs to enhance fishing and biodiversity, marina
pontoons, and shore defenses and artificial reefs.
9.4.2 The Regulatory System
• Government should establish a regulatory system for open ocean aquaculture
that is reasonable, science-based, predictable, and cost efficient and does not act
as a disincentive to development. An adaptive management approach should be
used, so experience can foster changes and in particular allow for aquaculture as
a co-located use of oil and gas and wind energy platforms.
• Government should establish a lead agency and highly placed designated office
for aquaculture development, which includes open ocean farming, to advocate
and facilitate development (Corbin and Young 1997; Cincin-Sain et al. 2005).
The office would be the first point of contact for potential projects and help
farmers and investors understand the regulatory system, as well as, be responsible for education of other agencies and the public about aquaculture science,
business, and societal benefits.
• Government should work to reduce overlapping and redundant permit
requirements and streamline regulatory processes where possible, for example
when information requirements are the same for two required permits. Also
consider establishing a One Stop Location where all the permits needed for open
ocean aquaculture can be secured/tracked and applicants can work with one
agency.
• Government should provide dedicated applicant assistance with site identification and help rule out sites that have major environmental and multi-use conflicts early on in the process. Also it should facilitate access by applicants to
oceanographic and other environmental and economic information for site and
business planning.
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planned location of wind farms off major port cities, would also convey market
advantages to aquaculture. However, the mutual benefits of co-location need to
be successfully demonstrated.
• Government should incorporate long-term aquaculture and ocean energy
development and site identification objectives and capabilities into emerging
Marine Spatial Planning Programs. For example, both the United Kingdom and
the U.S. are increasing efforts in this area (UKL 2014; NOC 2014).
• Government should examine the advantages and disadvantages of regulating
open ocean aquaculture on a regional basis verses a nationwide, state or local
basis.
• Government should give consideration to encouraging co-location of aquaculture with other activities that benefit society and the nearby communities; for
example reconstructed oyster reefs to enhance fishing and biodiversity, marina
pontoons, and shore defenses and artificial reefs.
9.4.2 The Regulatory System
• Government should establish a regulatory system for open ocean aquaculture
that is reasonable, science-based, predictable, and cost efficient and does not act
as a disincentive to development. An adaptive management approach should be
used, so experience can foster changes and in particular allow for aquaculture as
a co-located use of oil and gas and wind energy platforms.
• Government should establish a lead agency and highly placed designated office
for aquaculture development, which includes open ocean farming, to advocate
and facilitate development (Corbin and Young 1997; Cincin-Sain et al. 2005).
The office would be the first point of contact for potential projects and help
farmers and investors understand the regulatory system, as well as, be responsible for education of other agencies and the public about aquaculture science,
business, and societal benefits.
• Government should work to reduce overlapping and redundant permit
requirements and streamline regulatory processes where possible, for example
when information requirements are the same for two required permits. Also
consider establishing a One Stop Location where all the permits needed for open
ocean aquaculture can be secured/tracked and applicants can work with one
agency.
• Government should provide dedicated applicant assistance with site identification and help rule out sites that have major environmental and multi-use conflicts early on in the process. Also it should facilitate access by applicants to
oceanographic and other environmental and economic information for site and
business planning.
224
J.S. Corbin et al.