A Review of the Potential Environmental Effects of Net Pen Aquaculture in the Northern Gulf of Mexico
This report reviews the environmental and social concerns associated with net pen aquaculture in coastal waters, identifies potentially significant impacts of operations in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and proposes site selection and planning guidelines. There are 5 major areas of potential environmental concern: water quality alterations and their consequences, sedimentation and benthic effects, chemical usage, disease transmission, and escaped fish (exotic species, genetic impacts). Social concerns focus on conflicts between net pen operations and navigation interests, commercial...
