“Wild fish catches cannot meet the projected demand for seafood, and aquaculture is essential to preserving wild fisheries,” wrote the company
Canadian seafood giant Cooke Aquaculture has filed a motion to dismiss its appeal against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) seeking to reinstate leases for steelhead trout fish farms in Puget Sound.
This move comes after DNR’s announcement on November 14, 2022, that they were refusing to renew Cooke’s leases for these sites.
Initially, Cooke was given one month to harvest its fish and remove its equipment. However, after Cooke argued that this was impossible and endangered staff, DNR granted an extra month.
The appeal was prompted by DNR’s refusal to grant sufficient time for safe fish harvesting and equipment removal.
Cooke alleges that DNR failed to provide necessary records for a fair appeal hearing, leading to the motion to dismiss.
“Wild fish catches cannot meet the projected demand for seafood, and aquaculture is essential to preserving wild fisheries,” wrote the company. “As such, Cooke continues to work with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and pursuing projects that allow the Tribe to provide for its people and that foster sustainable seafood production on the Olympic Peninsula.”
