When evaluating the concept of environmental responsibility, the precautionary principle comes into play, which entails that ignorance may not be used as an excuse for delaying or avoiding the initiation of proportionate and cost-effective measures to counteract serious or irreversible damage to the environment. The strategy focuses on the environmental aspects of sustainable fish farming, based on five main areas in which the industry impacts the environment (the impact model). The first four have important implications for coastal area planning and will be addressed in this paper.