Petition to End Commercial Net Pen Aquaculture

Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz,

We, the undersigned, respectfully urge you not to extend, renew, or reissue leases for commercial open water net pen aquaculture in Puget Sound. Instead, we urge you to lease these same waters for the Taking Back Our Sound restoration project that will restore these polluted and industrialized waters to their natural state for the conservation of Puget Sound’s ecosystem, and for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of present and future generations.

For thirty years, commercial open water net pen aquaculture in Puget Sound has endangered the health of our wild salmon and the greater Puget Sound ecosystem, and harmed the livelihood and well being of communities that depend on the health and productivity of Puget Sound which supports our culture, economy, wild salmon, orcas, and more.

Restoring these polluted and industrialized waters to their natural state and the public’s access, use, and enjoyment of 130-acres of highly-valued aquatic lands is in concert with the state’s high standard for protecting and managing public lands, respects our public duty to fulfill tribal treaty rights, and will work in harmony with the public’s significant investments in the recovery of wild salmon, steelhead, and killer whales.

Under your management, Washington’s Department of Natural Resources has been a leader in holding this industry accountable and protecting the public’s resources from harm by commercial open water net pen aquaculture. Leasing these sites for this alternative restoration project and limiting their use to conservation and public access will continue to demonstrate to the public your strong leadership and will guarantee the public that these waters—currently degraded and restricted for private profit—will be restored and managed for the public’s benefit and use by all citizens.