Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has re-introduced legislation to prohibit development of any new offshore aquaculture operations in federal waters until strategic safeguards are in place.

The National Stock Conservation Act of 2007 would prohibit development of aquaculture facilities in federal waters until Congress has had an opportunity to review all of the serious implications of such action, and to make decisions on how much development should proceed.

The bill also requires that federal agencies consult with the governor of any state near the aquaculture site, and that permits be approved by the regional fishery management council with jurisdiction in the region.

The legislation is supported by United Fishermen of Alaska, a Juneau-based organization with 31 member groups.

“Alaska’s naturally healthy wild fish species, such as salmon, halibut, sablefish and crab, are extremely important to our people and provide for sport, subsistence and commercial uses,” Murkowski said in a written statement Feb. 8. “We cannot afford a rush to judgment on this issue — it is far too dangerous if we make a mistake.”

Murkowski also voiced concerns regarding the Bush administration’s proposal to allow aquaculture development to occur. The administration is in the final stages of preparing a bill to allow offshore aquaculture development, and it plans to send the bill to Congress in the near future.