The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Friday released its findings after inspecting Cooke Aquaculture’s net pen facilities at Rich Passage and Hope Island.

 

The inspections were conducted by engineering firm Mott MacDonald under contract to DNR.

 

Cooke Aquaculture (Cooke) raises Atlantic salmon at the sites and leases the aquatic lands from DNR.

 

Hilary Franz, Commissioner of Public Lands, issued this statement:

“After the August 19 net pen collapse at Cypress Island, I ordered inspections of every net pen facility to verify that they are safe and properly maintained.

Today, I am releasing the inspections in full.

Throughout this process, I have committed to being open and transparent with the public about how the Department of Natural Resources is responding and what we are learning.

My team will review this new information to determine appropriate next steps regarding the Rich Passage and Hope Island sites.

I will continue to use my authority to ensure that all lessees abide by the terms of their agreements and that our people and our waters are protected.”  

 

The inspections are available at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/atlanticsalmon.

 

The lease at Rich Passage expires on November 10, 2022. The Hope Island lease ends on March 31, 2022

 

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