A Republican state lawmaker is introducing legislation to ban commercial fish farming in the Great Lakes.
State Senator Rick Jones (R) said fish farms are a source of pollution, invasive species, and disease that harm native fish populations.
They generate concentrated amounts of fish waste that can cause widespread algae blooms and damage recreational areas, according to Jones.
"I certainly don't want to see the Great Lakes - a wonderful Pure Michigan resource - turned into a giant toilet bowl," he said.
Jones said the right way to do aquaculture is closed-loop aquaculture which are systems on land that use a separate water supply and allow more control over fish waste that can be harvested for fertilizer.
Jones said a ban on commercial fish farming is needed to protect the Great Lakes' recreational and fishing industries and natural ecosystems.
