According to CBS News, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plans to open fish farms in federally protected waters off the coast of Hawaii.
The commercial fish farms, which NOAA intends to manage, will be three to 200 miles offshore near Hawaii and other Pacific islands. This plan is similar to one recently implemented by NOAA in the Gulf of Mexico.
Proponents of the plan are hopeful that expansion of offshore fish farms will lessen the threat to wild fish populations; however, environmental groups are concerned nonnative farmed fish will escape into the ecosystem.
“We have to make a choice with aquaculture, states Sylvia Earle, former NOAA chief scientist and founder of ocean advocacy group Mission Blue. “Is our goal to feed a large number of people? Or is our goal to create or to serve a luxury market?
Commercial fisheries are nothing more than floating factory farms. Countless fish suffer a lifetime crammed in waste-filled pools before facing a brutal slaughter.
In 2010, Mercy For Animals conducted an undercover investigation inside Catfish Corner, a fish slaughter facility. This shocking video shows workers skinning these sentient animals alive as they struggle to avoid being cut.
Watch.
Fish are just as capable of feeling pain as other animals. With so many plant-based protein options available, there’s never been a better time to leave fish and other aquatic animals off your plate for good.
Click here for a list of delicious sea-inspired vegan recipes.