Leasing Washington State Aquatic Lands for Aquaculture
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) state lands may be leased for aquaculture purposes.
Aquaculture means the culture and/or farming of food fish, shellfish, and other aquatic plants and animals in fresh water, brackish water or salt water areas. Aquaculture practices may include but are not limited to hatching, seeding or planting, cultivating, feeding, raising, harvesting of planted crops or of natural crops so as to maintain an optimum yield, and processing of aquatic plants or animals. For the purposes of this discussion, the term aquaculture includes harvesting of existing shellfish, cultivating shellfish in artificial beds, cultivating shellfish on floating rafts, and raising finfish in floating net pens.
The legislature found that the aquaculture industry has overall benefits to the state and that the state should encourage the development and expansion of the industry. Aquaculture has been specifically designated as an aquatic land use of state wide value. Therefore, DNR generally encourages this use, and it may take precedence over other uses that may have only local interest values. View more information on Aquaculture Leasing Statutory and Regulatory Framework.
Intertidal Shellfish Aquaculture Leases
DNR leases tidelands for a variety of cultivation activities, including oysters, clams, and other edible shellfish. Environmental issues with intertidal shellfish culture methods vary with the types of culture. Since commercial shellfish harvests rely on certified shellfish growing areas, there is increasing concern with water quality problems associated with the increasing demands of population growth.
For geoduck aquaculture leasing, please go to the Geoduck Aquaculture Program webpage.
Tribal Shellfish Issues
Treaties signed with western Washington Indian Tribes in 1854 and 1855 reserved the right for tribes to harvest fish and shellfish from all usual and accustomed fishing areas in common with citizens of Washington. In 1994, Judge Edward Rafeedie upheld the right of Treaty Indian tribes, or their successors in interest, to harvest up to fifty percent of the harvestable surplus of shellfish from natural shellfish beds. To implement the ruling, a procedure for tribal notification of DNR aquaculture leases and potential harvest agreements on DNR lease lands was incorporated in an implementation plan. For additional information please see the State and Tribal Sharing of Shellfish site.
Aquaculture Net Pens and Floating Shellfish Culture
DNR leases sites for finfish net pens and floating shellfish rafts and longlines. Salmon aquaculture operations have existed in Washington since the 1970s and are scattered throughout Puget Sound. Current uses of net pens include salmon aquaculture, delayed-release salmon, and herring. The use of floating shellfish culture began in 1975 with mussel raft culture in Penn Cove. Current floating shellfish culture on rafts or longlines include oysters, mussels, and scallops. Environmental concerns include the accumulation of organic wastes below the net pens/rafts and the introduction of exotic species or diseases. In 1999, DNR conducted a study on the “Potential Offshore Finfish Aquaculture in the State of Washington” (May 1999, DNR) to study potential suitable sites for offshore culture sites along the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
How to Lease Lands
Applications to lease DNR lands for aquaculture can be obtained and must be submitted to the appropriate DNR Aquatics District. For application materials, general leasing information, or answers to specific questions please contact the appropriate District Office.