Canadian seafood company Cooke Aquaculture says it is surprised to hear Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz said she has been in discussion with Cooke with respect to land-based aquaculture.
Franz made the claim during the press conference she held on Friday to announce the blanket ban on finfish net pen farming.
“We have not met with the Commissioner on this matter. Cooke Aquaculture Pacific was focused on our steelhead trout farms and Salish Fish, our joint venture with the Jamestown Tribe,” said the company in the wake of the news on Friday that Washington State is outlawing finfish farming in net pens in state-owned waters.
Cooke says its focus now remains on its employees in Washington State and how best to support them in light of this abrupt decision.
