Senate OKs Bill to Ban Ocean Salmon Farming

California would ban ocean farming of salmon, exotic and genetically modified fish off its coast if Gov. Gray Davis signs legislation sent to him Wednesday on a 21-14 Senate vote.

Pen-raised salmon in particular have been sharply criticized by environmental groups and fishermen, but aquaculture experts said salmon farming is impractical off California’s shore.

Oregon has a similar ocean-farming ban, but salmon are raised commercially off the coast of Washington and British Columbia, as well as on the East Coast and in South America and Europe. The bill’s author, Sen. Byron Sher (D-Stanford), said he hoped other states and nations follow California’s lead. But he said that properly regulated onshore fish farms can help ease the pressure on wild fish.