In the Arizona Desert, a Farm Raising Fish Raises Questions About Water Use
- Mainstream Aquaculture operates a fish farm in Arizona growing barramundi for American restaurants amid ongoing Colorado River water shortages.
- Arizona State University research shows groundwater has dropped more than eight millimeters per year from 2002 to 2024, mainly because of extensive agricultural pumping.
- Experts highlight Arizona relies heavily on groundwater, with farmers often allowed unrestricted pumping outside urban areas, complicating groundwater management efforts.
- Fitzsimmons emphasized that continuing to harvest seafood directly from the ocean is unsustainable, and highlighted sustainable aquaculture practices, such as farming barramundi, as a viable alternative to traditional ocean fishing.
- The groundwater decline risks future shortages, prompting calls for stronger regulation and possible federal oversight to better manage Arizona’s water resources.
25 Articles
25 Articles

In the Arizona desert, a farm raising fish raises questions about water use
In landlocked Arizona, where the Colorado River crisis has put water use under a microscope, a new inland desert fish farm is growing barramundi — a tropical species native to Australia.
Arizona Adopts New Aquifer Water Quality Standards - The Environmental Council of the States (ECOS)
Last week, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) announced approval by the Governor’s Regulatory Review Council of new Aquifer Water Quality Standards (AWQS). These standards update the legal safety limits for pollutants in groundwater – an especially important step in Arizona, where more than 80% of residents rely on groundwater for drinking water. The updated AWQS are based on maximum contaminant levels set by U.S. EPA under t…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium