The Department of Ecology is extending the deadline for accepting public comments on draft guidance designed to improve how fish farm net pens are authorized, overseen, and managed in Washington. Ecology is taking public comment on the document until Aug. 5.

Fish farm net pens potentially pose environmental risks to water quality, native fish, shellfish, wildlife, and sensitive habitats. The draft guidance is designed to provide local governments, state agencies, project proponents, and other interested parties a clear, science-based set of practices and tools to authorize, operate, and oversee commercial net pens in ways that will reduce these risks.

Tell Ecology:

--Cultivation of aquatic organisms in a manner that has a high potential to impact natural ecosystems, such as net-pen fish farming in coastal waters, should be discouraged.
--Aquaculture systems should include components that recycle wastes internal to the system.
--Aquaculture systems that integrate fish and plant ecosystems to process waste and optimize use of resources should be encouraged.