The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA), the leading trade association representing aquaculture producers and support businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia, today applauded the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) proposal to issue a five-year Marine Aquaculture Permit to Cooke Aquaculture Pacific, LLC to grow rainbow trout (steelhead) in its existing commercial marine net pens in Puget Sound.
The WDFW proposal would give Cooke a five-year permit to culture all-female triploid (non-fertile) rainbow trout—and much-needed certainty to continue operating in the state.
Cooke plans to partner with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe to raise native species in Port Angeles Harbor, once the aquatic farm lease in Port Angeles is reinstated, according to a press release issued recently.
“We commend the state, particularly WDFW, for ‘going the extra mile’ to ensure fairness in making this important decision,” said NWAA Executive Director, Jeanne McKnight. “We are grateful that science has won the day over politics, and we are delighted that Cooke will be able to continue producing sustainable seafood in Washington State, particularly in areas where family-wage jobs
Source: Northwest Aquaculture Alliance
