Washington State bans commercial open-net pen fish farming
Washington State has now banned commercial open-net pen fish farming after disaster struck in 2017 when an open-net pen operated by Cooke Aquaculture near Cypress Island collapsed, releasing 250,000 non-native Atlantic salmon in the Puget Sound.
In its quest to ban the practice completely, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cited that even open-net pen operations that didn’t experience failures still resulted in damage to the surrounding land and significant pollution. The DNR has so far requested millions from the state to remove debris, like nets, tires and other trash, that was left behind.
A ban on commercial open-net pen fish farming passed through the state Board of Natural Resources on yesterday morning. This means “Commercial finfish net pen aquaculture” (CFNPA) operations will not be allowed to lease state-owned aquatic lands. CFNPA refers to a system of nets, cages or other containment systems in open water used to raise fish for the purpose of harvesting and selling them, the same as an agricultural crop.
Photo Credit: Wild Fish Conservancy