Washington, United States has banned commercial net-pen fish farming following a decision by the Board of Natural Resources. The rule, adopted on Tuesday, prohibits the industry on state aquatic lands.
Outgoing Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz supported the ban, emphasizing the state’s responsibility to protect aquatic lands for future generations. “Avoiding impacts is our legal and moral responsibility,” Franz said. She pointed to the recent loss of an endangered orca calf as evidence of the fragile ecosystem.
The vote passed with two board members abstaining. Despite the ban, several board members indicated the need for continued examination of fish farming alternatives, including land-based operations or farms in Puget Sound.
Supporters of the ban cited concerns over salmon and orca populations, with many public comments favouring the decision. “Our salmon have enough challenges and don’t need marine feed lots,” said Jeremy Wilbur of the Swinomish Tribe. Emma Helverson of the Wild Fish Conservancy delivered over 3,000 signatures in support of the ban.
Opponents, including the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, expressed concerns about the economic impact on rural communities and the potential for food shortages as the global population grows.
Net-pen farming has been a significant industry in Washington for decades. A major incident in 2017, where a net-pen collapse released over 250,000 Atlantic salmon, sparked public scrutiny. The industry had previously been banned for exotic species after the collapse.
California, Alaska, and British Columbia already have similar bans in place, while Oregon does not host commercial net-pen farms. The ban does not affect tribal fish farming or raising native fish for release into the wild. The state will now focus on cleaning up environmental damage left by the industry.
