Fishery council OKs Gulf fish farms; final approval rests with Commerce Department - al.com

Fishery council OKs Gulf fish farms; final approval rests with Commerce Department - al.com: "BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council agreed Wednesday to open federal waters to commercial offshore fish farms, a move that environmental groups argued could be detrimental to underwater habitat.

The plan calls for a permitting process for aquaculturists to raise fish native to the Gulf in underwater cages.

With its 11-5 vote, the council will forward the plan to the U.S. Department of Commerce, which will decide whether to grant final approval."