SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - A proposed fish farm 40 miles offshore in the Gulf sparked a fearful reaction from locals Thursday.

“I just don’t think it’s good for the area,” fifth-generation fisherman and charter boat captain Katie Tupin told ABC7. “It’s not small-scale anymore. It’s industrial.”

Ocean Era, the group who would build and manage the farm, received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to operate a pilot project for two years.

“It could lead to big problems,” environmental attorney and founder of Suncoast Seakeepers Justin Bloom said. “Their feed could supercharge red tide, which is really dangerous for people.”

The report from the EPA laid out a plan to manage waste and excess feed. Bloom said he worries it’s not enough.

The effective date on the approval is late

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