AN OPEN LETTER TO SAN DIEGO COASTKEEPER Your most recent e-newsletter (August 17, 2015) contains an item on Rose Canyon Fisheries that is an egregious disservice to your constituents, project proponents and supporters, and the truth. It is that last disservice that does the most damage, but also reveals your predetermined agenda, reinforced by your website (www.sdcoastkeeper.org) and your letter to the Army Corps of Engineers about our project. To correct the misinformation in your e-newsletter, the project is NOT the size of 600 football fields; that is the approximate size of the mooring area. The submerged grid to which the cages are moored is less than one-sixth that size and the actual area occupied by the cages – which, by the way, will be invisible from shore – will only be one-thirtieth of the mooring area. Using the term “mass farming” showcases your prejudices. No, it is not fishing … because wild fisheries cannot sustainably yield any more seafood to meet growing demand. “When done irresponsibly” is immaterial because our project will deploy the latest science and technology, be subject to the most rigorous permitting in the world, and meet the highest market-driven standards. The U.S. imports 91% of its seafood, and over 50% of that is farmed. We can learn to farm fish in the U.S., subject to U.S. standards or we can try to keep importing more and more, accepting the standards of other countries and effectively exporting jobs and economic benefit. All of this you know because we reached out to you. Most of this you choose to ignore. Twice, we proactively invited Coastkeeper to tour, to learn and to engage in dialogue. The obviousness of your agenda, and the unwillingness to listen and learn were breathtaking. 3639 Midway Drive, Suite B #301 San Diego, CA 92110  619-226-3883  Fax: 619-226-3944 You submitted the single most negative comment letter to the Army Corps of Engineers during a public comment period. Contrast your consistent attitude with what others have to say. “The Rose Canyon Project is likely to be the most important aquaculture initiative to ever be developed in this country.” Daniel D. Benetti, Ph.D., Professor & Director of Aquaculture, University of Miami “Therefore, projects like Rose Canyon Fisheries … need the support of our government agencies so that we may secure a domestic aquaculture industry capable of providing meaningful employment and food security for years to come.” R. Logan Kock, VP, Strategic Purchasing/Responsible Sourcing, Santa Monica Seafood “We believe that we in America have both an economic opportunity and a moral obligation to culture our own seafood.” Neil Anthony Simms, President, Ocean Stewards Institute Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan, Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has said, “Aquaculture is a bright spot and one that we need to continue to nurture …” What does Dr. Sullivan know that you do not … and do not want to? Other not-for-profits like the World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Conservation International recognize the value of, and support the development of sustainable aquaculture. It is an essential solution to feed a hungry world. In this as in all matters, those who seek facts and solutions move us forward. Those who seek falsehoods and create self-serving conflict hold us back. As a public-trust, not-for-profit, Coastkeeper has an responsibility to present facts. Yet, Coastkeeper’s commentary about Rose Canyon Fisheries ignores this obligation. As we pioneer a new paradigm for producing locally grown, healthy seafood – as we seek scientific data and solutions – Coastkeeper obviously wants only to hold us back. What a shame. Donald B. Kent Interim President/CEO 2