An edition of: WaterAtlas.orgPresented By: Sarasota County, USF Water Institute

Water-Related News

Jan. 28th public hearing will consider proposed offshore aquaculture site

A public hearing for the Kampachi Fish Farms, LLC aquaculture project "Velella Epsilon" has been scheduled as follows:

January 28, 2020
5:30-9:30 PM
WAVE Center
Mote Marine Laboratory
1600 Ken Thompson Parkway
Sarasota, FL 34236

On August 30, 2019 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 published its draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and associated documents for Kampachi Farms, LLC (Permit No. FL0A00001). The draft NPDES permit authorizes the discharge of industrial wastewater from a marine net-pen aquaculture facility located in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico at approximately 45 miles southwest of Sarasota, Florida (near 27° 7’ 20.51”N, 83° 12’ 1.37”W). The project would culture a single cohort of approximately 20,000 Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana) and produce a maximum annual harvest of 88,000 pounds.

The public notice for the public hearing, draft permit, draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and supporting documents can be found at on EPA's website. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 124.12, EPA has determined that significant public interest exists to conduct a public hearing on the above referenced permit.

Oral comments will be limited to five (5) minutes each to ensure more opportunities for interested persons to speak. Depending on the number of participants that pre-register, EPA may reduce the time limit for oral comments to three (3) or four (4) minutes. If the need to reduce the time limit for comments is known in advance of the meeting, EPA will attempt to notify those who have pre-registered.

If you want to attend the public hearing and/or make oral comments at the hearing please register at the link below. (Registration information is collected by ERG on contract to EPA.)

More information: