Washington State Just Banned Commercial Net-Pen Fish Farming [Video]

Good news! After nearly four decades and untold environmental devastation, commercial net-pen fish farming has been officially banned in Washington State.

As wild fish populations collapse from overfishing, the use of unsanitary and cruel fish farms is rapidly growing. In fact, nearly half of all the fish people eat come from fish farms, like the one shown in a 2020 Mercy For Animals investigation.

Washington’s decision to ban this practice aligns with similar actions taken in California and Alaska. Meanwhile, British Columbia has announced plans to phase out all net-pen farms by 2029. In Washington, the ban garnered widespread support from over 180 organizations, with the Wild Fish Conservancy collecting 3,000 signatures in favor of the move. Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz shared:

Avoiding impacts is our legal and moral responsibility. … I ask why did we ever allow this. … I am asking the board to learn from the past and the effects of our decision.

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