Aquaculture

Aquaculture is a dynamic and economically important industry in Washington state. We help protect and restore water quality and aquatic resources through planning and regulating aquaculture and its related activities. In Washington, aquaculture occurs in both fresh and marine waters — from streams, rivers, and lakes, to Puget Sound and the coast.

Commercial aquaculture activities include raising, harvesting, transporting, and selling fish and shellfish. Other aquaculture activities are designed to help restore and enhance resources. This includes fish and shellfish hatcheries, enhancing public beaches with shellfish, and planting and growing native aquatic plants to restore or enhance habitat.

We work with other agencies to permit and regulate aquaculture. This primarily includes the state departments of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Natural Resources (DNR), as well as local and tribal governments, and other state and federal agencies. We also work with the aquaculture industry, conservation and environmental groups, and the public. This helps us strike a balance between aquaculture, natural systems, and people.

Aquaculture methods and processes are constantly evolving. Because of this, we have to address ongoing changes to both the environment and industry. Our management decisions are based on science and legislative mandates.

Types of aquaculture in Washington

All facilities that discharge to a surface water in Washington have a responsibility to prevent water pollution and obtain a discharge permit. We issue several types of permits, from water quality to pesticide and herbicide application.

We regulate the discharge of wastewater from floating net pen structures that raise salmon. WDFW regulates ecological impacts of marine aquaculture to prevent disease and harmful effects to native fish, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources provides state aquatic land leases.

State guidance on commercial marine net pens

We’re developing guidance to identify the environmental risks and potential impacts to improve oversight of net pens operating in Washington.

Public comment period

We held a public comment period in 2021 on the draft Guidance for Marine Net Pen Aquaculture in Washington state. This document was designed to improve how commercial marine net pens are authorized, overseen, and managed in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.

Clams, mussels, and oysters from Washington’s cool, clean waters are prized by residents and others around the world. Commercial shellfish operations are regulated at the local, state, tribal, and federal levels.

Burrowing shrimp control

Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor are experiencing an increasing population of burrowing shrimp. High populations of these native shrimp make tide flats too soft to support traditional shellfish cultivation.

There is currently no permit that allows control of burrowing shrimp in shellfish beds. In 2018, we denied a permit shellfish growers requested that would have allowed them to use imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, on oyster beds. This denial is based on the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement that includes comprehensive review of research, data, and analysis on the use of this type of chemical.

Non-native eelgrass (Zostera japonica) management

The Zostera japonica management general permit regulates use of the herbicide imazamox to control this non-native eelgrass on commercial clam beds in Willipa Bay.

401 water quality certifications for federal and tribal facilities

We coordinate with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make sure federally permitted facilities meet Washington state water quality standards.

Contact information

Finfish

Casey Dennehy
casey.dennehy@ecy.wa.gov
360-688-0142