Atlantic salmon
Democrats from the Washington state House of Representatives have introduced new legislation that seeks to address the escape of non-native fish, such as the more than 100,000 Atlantic salmon that escaped in Puget Sound in August.
According to a press release, House Bill 2418 would keep the state on solid legal footing for its current contracts while simultaneously creating a process to shut down contracts that don’t meet requirements to keep native populations safe from contamination. Additionally, the proposal strives to eliminate escape completely by implementing an immediate moratorium on new leases, or extending leases, for net pens over at least the next two years.
A new review and certification process would also be implemented, and the moratorium would not be allowed to be lifted until the process is complete. That review would include a permit and leasing requirement examination by Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife and Ecology, with a final report due to the Legislature no later than Oct. 31, 2018. In particular, that review would determine how the health and safety of Washington waters and marine ecosystems, Pacific salmon health and habitat, and tribal treaty fishing rights are safeguarded. The process would require agencies to certify that there are no negative impacts to those areas in order for a permit to be issued.
“The decision to put a hold on net pens doesn’t come lightly, because real jobs are at stake,” said Rep. Kristine Lytton, a Democrat from Anacortes, who is a prime sponsor of the bill. “We have an obligation to keep Washington waters protected from nonnative populations and, unfortunately, that means tough choices. But those choices should be based on data and science, not on emotion. We can have a process that keeps our waters safe, while not unfairly punishing workers and businesses.”
The legislation also includes a stipulation that the University of Washington College of Oceanography will work with Western Washington University and Washington State University to conduct a detailed analysis of nonnative finfish aquaculture in Washington in order to determine any impacts associated with the Atlantic salmon net pen collapse in August.
“None of us want to have Atlantic salmon farmed in our waters, but immediately pulling the rug out from under businesses who have contracts is going to result in immediate litigation and at a huge cost to taxpayers. Instead of picking winners and losers, this bill lets businesses determine their best course of action while the state keeps our waters protected,” said Rep. Mike Chapman, a Democrat from Port Angeles, who co-sponsored the legislation.
Indeed, the recent decision to rescind the operating permit of Cooke Aquaculture at their net pen in Port Angeles prompted the company to file a lawsuit against the state of Washington.
On Friday, Washington Commissioner of Public Lands, Hillary Franz, offered comment on the lawsuit in a press release.
“The basis for terminating Cooke Aquaculture lease at its Port Angeles facility was made clear to the company and the public. My team will vigorously defend the termination against this meritless lawsuit,” said Franz. “I encourage Cooke Aquaculture to drop this lawsuit and work collaboratively with the Department of Natural Resources to safely close down the facility.”
