On August 23, 2004, the US EPA released its Final Aquaculture Effluent Limitation Guidelines in the Federal Register.
The complete
document is available online at www.epa.gov/aquaculture
or as a PDF file on this server ( EPA
Regulations) or from the Federal Server at
PDF of effluent regulations.
A Fact Sheet has been prepared by EPA
reviewing the new aquaculture effluent guidelines.
A Second Synopsis/Fact Sheet has been independently prepared by the National Sea Grant Law Center.
The effluent limitation guidelines affect 3 subcategories of the aquaculture industry:
Flow-through Systems
Net Pens
Recirculating Systems - Of primary interest to many aquaculture producers in the Western states.
Other useful information
Aquaculture effluent reduction research conducted by
Universities in the Western Regional Aquaculture Center
Includes studies on fate and settling rates of feed and feces in raceways and tanks, off-flavor reduction,reducing phosphorus
discharges, use of various filter designs, and evaluations of regulatory guidelines.
Links to informational workshops and research results on recirculation systems
North Carolina workshop on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems
Recirculating Trout Farm Design Demo farm in Nipomo, California - Nipomo Trout Hatchery - with Air lift/ stripping process "U" tubes. Contact Gene Carl for details.
Proposed EPA Guidelines 2002 These were the proposed guidelines. They were altered considerably to the final form.
Abstract of research paper:
Application of Chemical Coagulation Aids for the Removal of Suspended
Solids (TSS) and Phosphorus from the Microscreen Effluent Discharge of
an Intensive Recirculating Aquaculture System