Cooke, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe sue Washington state over net-pen ban

Cooke Aquaculture and the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe have filed separate lawsuits challenging the U.S. state of Washington’s November 2022 decision to ban net-pen finfish aquaculture.

Cooke’s lawsuit also challenges the Washington Department of Natural Resources’ November decision not to renew its last two net-pen aquaculture leases in Puget Sound, and the DNR’s rejection of the company’s request to have more than 31 days to harvest the fish in the net-pens.

And in its own lawsuit, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe alleges thw WDNR failed to fully consult with it about its issuance of the net-pen ban, which effectively prohibits tribes from partnering with non-Indigenous commercial entities on net-pen aquaculture commercialization ... 

Photo courtesy of Jamestown S’Kallam Tribe