Saving Seafood

Northwest Aquaculture Alliance sues state of Washington over commercial net pen ban

March 13, 2025 — The Northwest Aquaculture Alliance (NWAA) has sued the U.S. state of Washington’s Department of Natural Resources over a recently finalized rule banning net pen aquaculture.

The lawsuit comes after the department approved a rule banning finfish farming in state waters, codifying a ban that had been implemented unilaterally by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz in 2022. A court ultimately ruled that the executive order had “no legal effect” and was simply the beginning of a rulemaking process. Following the court ruling, Franz worked to complete the rulemaking process to codify the ban, and in January 2025 the State Board of Natural Resources voted to finalize the rule.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

MAINE: Finfish aquaculture ordinance drafted

August 5, 2022 — A far-reaching licensing ordinance, which would prohibit finfish farms whose annual landed catch exceeds so many pounds from operating in town, has been drafted and continues to be refined by the Planning Board. The proposal is being commented on by the public in writing or by citizens who regularly attend online or in-person the board’s regular meetings the first and third Tuesday of each month.

In its current draft form, the “Finfish Aquaculture Licensing Ordinance” applies to enterprises seeking to raise salmon, trout, sturgeon, yellowtail and other species of finfish. Under Maine law, “finfish” are defined as cold-blooded marine animals having permanent gills and fins. Finfish aquaculture licenses would be required of entities seeking to raise finfish in land-based tanks in town or operate from Gouldsboro to tend the fish in ocean pens and land their catch here. The non-transferable license would be valid for one year and renewable for one-year periods only.

Finfish aquaculture operations whose annual catches fall below a yet-to-be-determined volume threshold would not require the license but may face compliance with other municipal ordinances.

Read the full article at The Ellsworth American