Washington Looks to Update Dungeness Crab Policy to Address Entanglements, Climate Change

As part of the three West Coast states’ efforts to further limit potential entanglements and more easily identify entangled whales, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is updating its policies related to crabbing.

The public is invited to review and submit comments on the draft Coastal Dungeness Crab policy through Oct. 15. 

Dungeness crabs support Washington’s most valuable commercial fishery, as well as popular recreational fisheries. The value of state landings for the 2023-24 coastal commercial Dungeness crab season was $66.8 million, according to ...

Washington Senator Holds Discussion at Port of Ilwaco About Future of Commercial Fishing Dock 

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) hosted a roundtable discussion at the Port of Ilwaco alongside local leaders and stakeholders focused on development projects within the region. 

Cantwell’s office explained that the roundtable also featured discussions on the federal investments to help rebuild the commercial fishing dock that was severely damaged in a fire earlier this year just before the Dungeness crab season kicked off.  

"In the infrastructure bill, we wrote into the Port Infrastructure Development Program…a huge increase...

Pacific Seafood Fined $222,000 By Washington Department of Ecology

Pacific Seafood’s Westport facility has been hit with a $222,000 penalty after “repeatedly sending polluted wastewater into Half Moon Bay in Westport.” According to the Washington Department of Ecology, the seafood company’s Westport facility has violated its water quality permits 58 times over the past two years.

“It’s unacceptable that this facility is continuing to pollute Half Moon Bay after repeated citations and technical assistance,” said Vince McGowan, Ecology’s water quality program manager. “The majority of similar companies in the industry are able to...

Tar Balls, Oiled Birds Wash Up on Oregon and Washington Beaches; Cleanup Underway

Visitors to southern Washington and northern Oregon beaches in mid-May reported seeing birds covered in oil and tarry substances along the shorelines — sights unfamiliar to beachgoers in the Pacific Northwest.

State agencies from both states — including the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the U.S. Coast Guard — established a Unified Command as cleanup efforts began last week. The area affected stretches from Long Beach, Wash., south to Yaquina Head, Ore., near Newport. So far, no source of...

Washington Takes Pre-emptive Action, Prevents Potential Octopus Farming in State

The Washington Legislature and Gov. Jay Inslee have given octopus a helping hand hand hand hand hand hand hand hand. Inslee signed House Bill 1153, preventing octopus farming in Washington, recently.

Sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, House Bill 1153 prohibits the farming of octopus in Washington state. It passed the House on Feb. 6, 2024, after being reintroduced in January, 70 to 27. The margin was closer in the Senate, where it passed Feb. 27, 2024, 29 to 20....

Judge Rules Washington DNR Net Pen Ban Is Not Legally Binding; NWAA Releases Statement

Those involved in aquaculture in Washington can breathe a sigh of relief after a Thurston County Superior Court Judge ruled that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) net pen ban has no legal effect in the state.

In November 2022 Hilary Franz, the Commissioner of Public Lands, announced that Cooke’s leases in Puget Sound would not be renewed. Further, Franz announced that she would be ending the practice of farming finfish in open sea net pens. Cooke was given a date of December 14 to...

Offshore Wind in the West: CA Goes All In; Angst in Oregon; Background Work in WA

If California's political leaders' efforts for offshore wind are the equivalent of a tropical storm, both Oregon and Washington's efforts are more like a cold northwest wind that puts a damper on the sunniest day. There's progress, but it's slow and is accompanied by some not-so-happy campers.

Last week California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 286, which would speed up permitting for floating offshore wind projects, cutting years off the process to bring towering...

Washington Department of Commerce Awards Grants to Boost Salmon Recovery Planning

Four local governments and one tribe will receive funds totaling $1.2 million to support long-range planning for salmon recovery — thanks to grants funded through the state’s Climate Commitment Act and the U.S. Environmental Protection Act Puget Sound funds. The state Department of Commerce awards the grants.

The funding will help integrate salmon recovery work into local growth management and land use planning and development regulations, according to a statement from the Department.

Protecting and restoring habitat is a critical component of...

FDA Advisory Issued For Shellfish Harvested From Washington and Oregon

Last week Oregon health officials issued a warning to throw out mussels harvested along the state’s coast after at least 20 people got sick. Oregon’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) subsequently announced that they would be closing shellfish harvesting along the entire coast. And now, the FDA is issuing a warning to restaurants and retailers not to serve or sell certain shellfish from Oregon and Washington as they may be contaminated with toxins that cause...

Revo Foods Unveils World’s First Plant-Based Octopus Alternative Amid Octopus Farming Controversy

The world’s first plant-based alternative to octopus tentacles is here. Austrian startup Revo Foods has officially unveiled “THE KRAKEN.” The new innovation is made from fungi protein and is meant to capture the taste of traditional octopus. 

Revo Foods CEO Robin Simsa told One Green Planet, “It is a very interesting product for which no plant-based alternative exists yet, and has a very unique texture and structure.”

“THE KRAKEN” is made up of high levels of protein, omega-3 fatty acids and...

Washington House Passes Peterson Bill to Ban Octopus Farming

Those with a hankering for octopus on their plates may soon have to make sure it's sourced from the wild or from aquaculture activities outside Washington.

The Washington State House of Representatives this week passed legislation that will prevent the farming of octopus in Washington state. Sponsored by Rep. Strom Peterson, D-Edmonds, House Bill 1153 passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 70-27. Eleven other House members are listed as co-sponsors of the bill.

“Octopus farming leads to ...

Oregon and Washington Seek Nominations for Columbia River Fishing Advisory Groups

Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon are seeking nominations for advisers to fill positions on the recreational and commercial advisory groups that provide input on fishing seasons on the Columbia River.

The Oregon and the Washington Departments of Fish and Wildlife are accepting nominations for appointees to three-year terms on the Columbia River Commercial Fishing Advisory Group and Columbia River Recreational Fishing Advisory Group through Nov. 3, 2023. The new terms begin in January 2024 and ...