"The Gulf of Mexico opened to industrial-size fish farms Thursday after federal regulators declined to oppose the plan.

Although environmental and fishing interests objected to the proposal, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration allowed the Gulf plan to take effect by not ruling on it, citing an absence of U.S. regulations for fish farming in federal waters.

Officials said the federal agency will develop and implement a national policy for offshore aquaculture, a process that could take nine months. Until then, the farms could open in the Gulf — though as a practical matter it would take much longer to get one up and running."

Matthew Tresaugue reports for the Houston Chronicle September 4, 2009. [2]