Shellfish Farmer and his tumbled oyster farm on Hood Canal, WA.
Credit: NOAA Fisheries
According to the Pacific Shellfish Institute, Washington State is the the largest producer of hatchery-reared and farmed shellfish in the U.S. The State boasts more than 300 shellfish farms which together make up 25% of the total domestic US shellfish production by weight - and reach an annual farmgate value of more than USD 108 million (EUR 101 million).
However, the permitting process for new shellfish farms in Washington State can be complex, and the rules and procedure vary depending on whether the proposed farm is on public or private land.
NOAA Fisheries has this week announced a new initiative which aims to make the process easier to navigate, with the launch of a new website designed to provide an overview of the multiple steps required for new shellfish permits in the state, including species such as oysters, mussels, clams, geoduck, and more.
Although permit applications cannot be filed directly through the portal, the new website aims to provide all the information needed for shellfish farmers to do so, including the necessary steps involved, the order of application procedures, and information about the entities involved in permit approvals.
The webpage provides links to each step of the permitting process along with links of where to find additional information.
"This has been a collaborative effort under development for several years with the support of NOAA’s West Coast Regional Aquaculture Coordinators (both current and former), several NOAA Pathways Interns, the NOAA Communications Team, and a large number of agencies, tribes, and community members," NOAA Fisheries said, announcing the launch.
The page will be kept updated in order to give the most current information on the permitting process, NOAA Fisheries said.
The new Guide to Shellfish Aquaculture Permits in Washington can be viewed here.