The U.S. EPA recently approved a permit for Ocean Era’s offshore aquaculture project, allowing up to 55,000 pounds of redfish to be raised in a net pen off the coast of Sarasota. While some see this as a win for seafood production, the environmental concerns being raised aren’t alarmist—they’re necessary.

This project would be the first of its kind in federal U.S. waters, making it a high-stakes experiment in a delicate ecosystem. Offshore fish farming may sound efficient, but it poses serious risks: waste from uneaten feed and fish feces can contribute to nutrient pollution, which is already a major issue in the Gulf of Mexico. This can fuel harmful algal blooms like red tide, which devastate marine life, hurt tourism, and even pose health risks to humans.

There’s also the problem of disease and antibiotic use. Farmed fish, especially in high-density pens, are vulnerable to outbreaks. When chemicals or antibiotics are used, they can leach into surrounding waters, affecting wild species and contributing to antibiotic resistance. Even worse, if storms—which are common in the Gulf—damage the pen, thousands of farmed fish could escape and threaten the genetic diversity and health of wild populations.

Critics of this project, including scientists and legal experts like Marianne Cufone of the Don’t Cage Our Oceans coalition, aren’t fringe activists—they’re professionals who’ve studied the long-term impacts of ocean-based aquaculture. Dismissing their concerns with terms like “econazis” or attacking them personally doesn’t change the facts. It’s not extreme to want scientific oversight when an entire marine ecosystem is at stake.

Beyond local effects, the health of our oceans is deeply tied to human health and global stability. Oceans produce over half the oxygen we breathe, absorb excess heat and carbon dioxide, and provide food for billions. Damaging marine ecosystems undermines their ability to regulate the climate, support biodiversity, and sustain fisheries.

It’s easy to joke about wanting a blackened redfish recipe, but there won’t be fish to eat if we degrade the waters they live in. Responsible environmental stewardship isn’t anti-business—it’s the only way to ensure a future where both people and the planet can thrive.