Shellfish aquaculture

We work with a variety of stakeholders to protect and restore aquatic habitats, and plan for shellfish aquaculture activities alongside other shoreline uses. This includes:

• Issuing water quality permits.
• Reviewing and approving local shoreline master programs and issuing guidance on shoreline aquaculture planning.
• Supporting scientific research to better understand interactions among shellfish aquaculture, native plants and animals, and Washington’s valuable aquatic ecosystems.
• Using science as the foundation for our decisions.

Permits for businesses

Please contact the Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance (ORIOA) for permitting information, including the Joint Aquatic Resources Permit Application (JARPA). You can also contact your city or county planning department for the most up-to-date information.

The Shellfish Interagency Permitting team also provides guidance about the state and local permitting process. 

Legal decisions

The legal foundation for shellfish aquaculture in Washington is complex and continually evolving.

You can search the legal decisions of the Environmental and Land Use Hearings Office (including the Shorelines Hearing Board, Pollution Control Hearings Board and Growth Management Hearings Board) — Enter “shellfish aquaculture” into the document text search box.

Additional resources

We are just one of several state and federal agencies that have policies as well as a regulatory role in overseeing shellfish aquaculture.

Washington Department of Agriculture

• Economy

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

• Fishing & Shellfishing
• Shellfishing regulations
• Shellfish import and transfer permits
• Aquatic Farm Registration Form

Washington Department of Health

• Shellfish Program
• Commercial Shellfish Licensing & Certification Program

Washington Department of Natural Resources

• Geoduck Aquaculture
• Bush and Callow Act Aquatic Lands Maps

Washington Sea Grant

• State Shellfish Research Program

Federal agencies and tribal governments

• Environmental Protection Agency - Washington General Permits
• NOAA's National Shellfish Initiative and Aquaculture on the West Coast
• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission - Shellfish
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers – Permit Guidebook, Chapter IX: Aquaculture